My external battery experiment [Archive]

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Gadgetman99

Oct 5, 2009, 05:15 PM

Ok, so I wanted an external battery for my MBA. I just could not stand the thought of 3-4 hours of use with no option for an extra battery. So I started looking around the net for ideas. Amazing as it is to me, there really are few options, and the ones that are there, are expensive as heck. So I now have this setup and plan to do some testing. So I got one of these:

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/reviews/18779.aspx
off ebay for $75 (my first lower model {upb70} for $20 was a rip off since the guy had worn the thing out, and it basically did not charge)

and one of these (from China) for just the magsafe connector:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110423202494&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3261wt_1145

And now I have a full external battery solution. The UPB90 is a really nice unit. Slim (slips right in a laptop case), light and has a really nice OLED display that shows the charge (in % or battery grafic), discharge rate (in watts, hours till dead or %) and has auto settings for voltage, or just set it from 15v-20v. Since I got it today, I have been running my MBA (set at 15v) off it for 3 hours so far (using wifi, bluetooth and brightness at about 75%), and the display says I still have about 2 hours of charge left (at current discharge rate). Of course, when this external pack is done, I still have the internal MBA battery charge (it has stayed at 100% while plugged into thsi battery).

So far, for about $100, I have a nice external battery solution for the MBA. I will try to upload some pictures and final run time tomorrow.

musicpenguy

Oct 5, 2009, 07:45 PM

Sweet - would love to see the setup and what other people are doing for external batteries

Gadgetman99

Oct 6, 2009, 05:40 AM

Just a slight update: My final runtime was right at 6.5 hours on just the external battery. I ran it for 3 hours, stopped for an hour, then ran it for 3.5 more hours before the external battery display showed it was depleted.

One important detail I left out on my first post, the external battery does not come with a charger. It is designed to be charged with your laptop charger. It comes with many different male/female adapter sets so you can charge the external battery while having the laptop connected. In the case of the MBA, of course there is not a magsafe adapter set, so my aftermarket magsafe connector was needed. I happen to have a spare universal laptop charger laying around, so it was a perfect way to charge this battery. It fully charges the external battery in 3.5 hours.

Tonight I might post some pictures. One nice thing about this battery (unlike others) is that it is thin and about the same size as the MBA, so it makes a nice tray that keeps the air vents on the MBA unobstructed when sitting on my recliner arm (or other soft surfaces). Plus it has 2 USB ports for charging MP3/cell phones. Great unit to slip into a laptop bag for travel.

One thing I don't like, is the connector cord. It is a bit of a tangle. It is pretty long and with my magsafe cable, even longer. I might modify the cable to make it shorter and less cumbersome. It also has 2 connectors (output to laptop and input to charge, which makes it more bulky). But for about $100 total ($75 for battery, $25 for the modified magsafe cord), it is hard to beat.

MacModMachine

Oct 6, 2009, 09:09 AM

im working on my own external battery, i will have it done in a few weeks.

i designed the whole battery myself.

t4cgirl

Oct 6, 2009, 03:00 PM

I've been working and traveling with a batterygeek battery for more than a year. It seems to supply on the order of 6-9 hours of power. If you want to work all day untethered, it's definitely possible!

1rottenapple

Oct 6, 2009, 04:30 PM

what the? I wish I found out about this and not spent my 230 for the hypermac. this (you solution) seems to be the best.

MacModMachine

Oct 6, 2009, 04:41 PM

what the? I wish I found out about this and not spent my 230 for the hypermac. this (you solution) seems to be the best.

too bad apc has discontinued making laptop batteries.

Gadgetman99

Oct 6, 2009, 08:45 PM

im working on my own external battery, i will have it done in a few weeks.

i designed the whole battery myself.

I can't wait to see a homebuilt battery solution built from the ground up for the MBA!

Gadgetman99

Oct 6, 2009, 08:49 PM

what the? I wish I found out about this and not spent my 230 for the hypermac. this (you solution) seems to be the best.

Thanks, but I would not say mine is the best solution, but it is a really nice solution for me. And as MacModMachine pointed out, APC discontinued there external laptop batteries. But this one (the UPB) can be had on ebay for much less then the original $250 (as I mentioned, mine was $75). I must say, the digital display is both handy and gorgeous. I have found it is almost accurate to the minute on the remaining runtime. I got home late tonight, so no pictures to post yet, but maybe tomorrow.

Gadgetman99

Oct 7, 2009, 06:15 PM

Here are a few pics.

smeagol222

Oct 26, 2009, 05:13 AM

Gadgetman99

Oct 26, 2009, 05:30 AM

would this work also with an older macbook pro i have the 2.2GHz (T7500) Intel Core 2 Duo Merom (pretty sure - all silver keyboard etc)

ive got a loooong flight ahead (nearly 30hrs) and wouldnt mind a battery lasting longer than a couple hours. no power onboard unfortunately .... grrr

any help would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks!

I do not know what the voltage requirements are for your older macbook, but as long as it takes between 15-20 volts, I am sure it would work. I do not know how long it would run, but I would have to think at least 3 hours plus your internal battery.

bavarian3

Oct 26, 2009, 08:42 AM

Gadgetman99

Oct 26, 2009, 09:00 AM

Pretty cool; but I found this: http://www.batterygeek.net/MacBook-Air-MacBook-Pro-Battery-66Wh-p/macbook_pro_air_battery_66wh.htm

Everything you need but I don't think it's as slim as the APC version.

It is a better "drop in" solution. Not as slim, not as powerful and has a free carry case, and charger. My solution was cheap, challenging to adapt and unique.

bavarian3

Oct 26, 2009, 09:02 AM

I agree; now if only they still make the APC version. Or something like it.

Gadgetman99

Oct 26, 2009, 09:58 AM

I agree; now if only they still make the APC version. Or something like it.

Amazing to me that they do not. With the MBA being thin and light, you woudl expect someone would have come out with a custom solution by now. What I really like about the APC unit is the digital display. It is very nice to know EXACTLY how much time you have left, right down to the minute.

smeagol222

Oct 27, 2009, 11:58 AM

thanks for the replies!

ya i saw all the hypermac, batterygeek and a few others be they are VEEERY expensive

need the CHEAPest solution possible- i suppose it just a matter of getting the right voltage (portable power battery- any kind--cheapest) and the right 'something-to-magsafe-connector' as you've done above

so as long as the voltage is correct it and i get a converter plug i shouldnt damage my laptop at all right?

thanks

atsiang

Nov 17, 2009, 03:15 PM

Gadgetman99

Nov 17, 2009, 07:05 PM

Hopefully someone can help me. I purchased an APC 70 but can't figure out how to connect the Macbook charger to charge the APC battery. I bought the magsafe connector from ebay and I have a way to connect the APC battery to the macbook but don't know how to connect the Macbook charger to the APC battery to charge it up.

Thanks

Alfred

This is a tough one. In order to use the macbook charger, you would need to either have a female magsafe adapter to hook it up, or modify the cord with a standard plug that will plug into one of the adapters that came with your APC like in the attached picture. In my case, I use a universal laptop charger to charge the APC unit.

atsiang

Nov 17, 2009, 08:37 PM

This is a tough one. In order to use the macbook charger, you would need to either have a female magsafe adapter to hook it up, or modify the cord with a standard plug that will plug into one of the adapters that came with your APC like in the attached picture. In my case, I use a universal laptop charger to charge the APC unit.

Thanks for your response. I think I'll go with the universal laptop charger option. Which universal charger do you recommend? There are so many options out there.

Gadgetman99

Nov 17, 2009, 08:49 PM

Thanks for your response. I think I'll go with the universal laptop charger option. Which universal charger do you recommend? There are so many options out there.

I really can't recommend any one specific. But I will recommend this, make sure whatever one you choose, has a selectable output voltage. For example, if you are using 15v as output on your battery pack, set the charger to 15v as well. I say this because my universal charger automatically puts out 19v, so I have to change the setting in my APC to match or it won't charge. Then I have to remember to change the setting back to 15v to use with the MBA. If y0u find one you can set to 15v, you can always just plug and charge, or plug and use external pack without changing settings. I use the ReTrak from Emerge Technologies, only because I got it for $15 at a local discount store (and the cord retract into reels for easy storage, thus the name).

Spanky Deluxe

Nov 17, 2009, 09:03 PM

iGrant

Nov 17, 2009, 09:08 PM

Hey,

This is nice, I am going to consider doing this . . . I love the battery life I have in my Macbook Air (about 1.5 hours and still have 58% battery left), but would love to have an externally long battery as well :cool:

-iGrant

Gadgetman99

Nov 17, 2009, 09:16 PM

Gadgetman, random question: In your hunts for the necessary cables etc did you happen to find anything like a MacBook to MacBook Air magsafe adapter?

I really wish Apple would make 85W adapters with the MBA magsafe connector. I'd like to buy a couple of extra adapters that would work with both the other half's MBA and my MBP so that we don't have to move them around all the time.

Spanky, no. but it looks like this magsafe extension would accomplish what you want. Just connect your 85w brick to this cable to convert to MBA magsafe. I think this is what you mean?

http://mikegyver.com/Store/parts/

scroll down to magsafe extension:

I would suggest you email them to be sure it will work before ordering, given the high price.

Spanky Deluxe

Nov 17, 2009, 09:22 PM

Spanky, no. but it looks like this magsafe extension would accomplish what you want. Just connect your 85w brick to this cable to convert to MBA magsafe. I think this is what you mean?

http://mikegyver.com/Store/parts/

scroll down to magsafe extension:

I would suggest you email them to be sure it will work before ordering, given the high price.

I just stumbled across that myself too. Ouch!! $120 for what looks like a dodgy soldering job.

I just noticed on the Apple Store that the new 60W MacBook's charger also has a 90 degree angle so maybe Apple will release an 85W version at some point. If not then 60W could be all right. I can charge my MBP with 60W ok, it just takes a bit longer. 45W for a MBP would be pushing it though so this may be a happy medium.

iGrant

Nov 17, 2009, 09:23 PM

I just stumbled across that myself too. Ouch!! $120 for what looks like a dodgy soldering job.

I just noticed on the Apple Store that the new 60W MacBook's charger also has a 90 degree angle so maybe Apple will release an 85W version at some point. If not then 60W could be all right. I can charge my MBP with 60W ok, it just takes a bit longer. 45W for a MBP would be pushing it though so this may be a happy medium.

I bit off topic here . . . you can use a 60W power supply for Macbook Air?

Thanks
iGrant

Spanky Deluxe

Nov 17, 2009, 09:32 PM

I bit off topic here . . . you can use a 60W power supply for Macbook Air?

Thanks
iGrant

Yeah you can use any Magsafe power supply with the air. The only issue is that you'll have to prop the Air up if you use a non right-angled power supply. My fiancee and I have been switching between each other's 60W and 85W adapters for a while with her MacBook and my MacBook Pro. It won't be quite as easy with the 45W adapter though since I doubt that'll be able to charge the MBP well.

The wattage on a magsafe power adapter is just the maximum power that can be drawn so a MacBook Air would likely only draw 45W from an 85W as an example.

So if you're thinking of buying a second adapter for your MBA then I'd suggest buying this one (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC461LL/A) instead of the MBA one. I think it's a little bit bigger than the MBA one but it'll power and charge an MBA and a MacBook just fine and it should power and charge MacBook Pros fine too - although it'd charge those a little slower.

RedStar73

Dec 1, 2009, 04:15 AM

Hi,
was wondering, how did u exactly connect the apc cord to the magsafe adapter ??

thanks in advance

Gadgetman99

Dec 1, 2009, 05:43 AM

one of these (from China) for just the magsafe connector:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110423202494&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3261wt_1145

To connect the Magsafe to the APC cord, use the modified Magsafe cord (purchased from the link above) from my original post.

Gadgetman99

Dec 1, 2009, 05:49 AM

This is now a better deal since you can use the magsafe cord with an eternal battery pack AND use the car adapter to use the MBA in a car (wont charge battery, but at least lets you use it without depleting the battery).

http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-Power-Adapter-for-Apple-Macbook-AIR-MB543LL-A_W0QQitemZ120492829679QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0deeabef#ht_1349wt_982

RedStar73

Dec 1, 2009, 02:42 PM

u just striped both cables(2 poles?) and then connected them ?

Gadgetman99

Dec 1, 2009, 02:57 PM

u just striped both cables(2 poles?) and then connected them ?

The links I posted are for genuine macbook air magsafe cords modified with a standard plug on the end that used to go into the "brick". No modification (or stripping) required. This allows the cord to interface with almost any external battery or universal charger (or car charger) with the correct voltage output.

Basically it looks like this picture.

srgz

Jul 24, 2011, 11:55 AM

The links I posted are for genuine macbook air magsafe cords modified with a standard plug on the end that used to go into the "brick". No modification (or stripping) required. This allows the cord to interface with almost any external battery or universal charger (or car charger) with the correct voltage output.

Basically it looks like this picture.

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but...

I have had the APC UPB70 for a few years now and I must say it's probably one of the best products I've ever used. I got it at best buy -- it was open box and 50% off...and up until now I've used it with my dell laptop and it's worked great. It's a shame they've discontinued them, but it's not like it would matter since no one is allowed to actually use the magsafe connector beside apple (legally) -- so even if they still sold \ supported them I doubt APC would be able to help me. But anyways, if you can still find the APC batteries, grab them! They're amazingly designed (very thin, also tilted and can act as a rest for your notebook \ laptop), and mine still holds a pretty good charge after all these years.

Long story short -- I just bought an 11" 2011 macbook air..and I need to get this APC battery working with it. From reading the posts already, it looks like I'll need two things:

1.) A universal laptop DC charger that is compatible with the APC battery. Like previous posts have said, the APC battery does _not_ come with a charger, it's designed to use your existing charger -- unfortunately, in the case of the (cr)apple charger -- it's not going to work due to the proprietary connector -- so I'll have to grab a universal charger online somewhere. This is not going to be a problem.

2.) The cable in the picture from your above post. This is the problem...All the ebay links are gone and I can't seem to find this anywhere. Any assistance or suggestions would be very welcome.

I can't see how hypermac and other companies expect you to pay upwards of $300 for an external battery -- and then in order for it to work you'll have to also buy the stupid magsafe airline thing from apple! So that's another what, like 60$ added on? Total BS. I realize the APC product got discontinued AND was open box when I bought it, but IIRC it was around 65$!!

So if anyone could help me find a cable that I could plug into the APC and go to the mbair's magsafe connector, I would be forever grateful! Thanks.

zmikegyver

Jul 24, 2011, 01:36 PM

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but...

I have had the APC UPB70 for a few years now and I must say it's probably one of the best products I've ever used. I got it at best buy -- it was open box and 50% off...and up until now I've used it with my dell laptop and it's worked great. It's a shame they've discontinued them, but it's not like it would matter since no one is allowed to actually use the magsafe connector beside apple (legally) -- so even if they still sold \ supported them I doubt APC would be able to help me. But anyways, if you can still find the APC batteries, grab them! They're amazingly designed (very thin, also tilted and can act as a rest for your notebook \ laptop), and mine still holds a pretty good charge after all these years.

Long story short -- I just bought an 11" 2011 macbook air..and I need to get this APC battery working with it. From reading the posts already, it looks like I'll need two things:

1.) A universal laptop DC charger that is compatible with the APC battery. Like previous posts have said, the APC battery does _not_ come with a charger, it's designed to use your existing charger -- unfortunately, in the case of the (cr)apple charger -- it's not going to work due to the proprietary connector -- so I'll have to grab a universal charger online somewhere. This is not going to be a problem.

2.) The cable in the picture from your above post. This is the problem...All the ebay links are gone and I can't seem to find this anywhere. Any assistance or suggestions would be very welcome.

I can't see how hypermac and other companies expect you to pay upwards of $300 for an external battery -- and then in order for it to work you'll have to also buy the stupid magsafe airline thing from apple! So that's another what, like 60$ added on? Total BS. I realize the APC product got discontinued AND was open box when I bought it, but IIRC it was around 65$!!

So if anyone could help me find a cable that I could plug into the APC and go to the mbair's magsafe connector, I would be forever grateful! Thanks.

Hi,
The picture posted above is actually our picture. And we actually used to sell the APCs Batteries too..
If you wish to buy the complete converted cable they are here (genuine not grey market):
http://mikegyver.com/Store/parts/

Since the APC is manual voltage select, make sure you select 15v.

if you wish to do your own conversion we sell the jacks too. Found near bottom of same page.

Thanks!
Mike
Mikegyver.com

srgz

Jul 24, 2011, 06:58 PM

Hi,
The picture posted above is actually our picture. And we actually used to sell the APCs Batteries too..
If you wish to buy the complete converted cable they are here (genuine not grey market):
http://mikegyver.com/Store/parts/

Since the APC is manual voltage select, make sure you select 15v.

if you wish to do your own conversion we sell the jacks too. Found near bottom of same page.

Thanks!
Mike
Mikegyver.com

Thanks mike -- I was thrown off by the color change from the end connector -- I see your latest version of the cable is white on the end...Looks like a good deal. Thanks again.

zmikegyver

Jul 24, 2011, 10:02 PM

Thanks mike -- I was thrown off by the color change from the end connector -- I see your latest version of the cable is white on the end...Looks like a good deal. Thanks again.

Yes, we've done some improvements. :)

Thanks,
Mike
Mikegyver.com