If you use 16v you will be drawing more amperage to get the same result. No idea if it would hurt anything, there's just no good reason to do this given the amp was designed for a higher voltage.
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Battery powering a Phil Jones Double Four
- Thread starter CauliColin
- Start date
When I accidentally used my PJD4 battery on 16v, it would not go to very high volume until I switched it to 19v. I just used my rig yesterday at the Los Angles International Ukulele Festival at the Torrence Cultural Arts center. My group performed for 35minutes outdoors with an audience of about 300 and I was actually happy the amp did so well. For a show like that I usually bring my Carvin MB15 200w 15" amp with a powerful small lithium battery/inverter I put together, but wrecked my knee and decided to bring the little PJD4.
I just got the Powerade Pilot Pro2 battery and tested the amp - works great (once I read the instructions and changed to voltage to 20 - it didnt automatically change for me, had to hold the button down for 3 secs then cycle through to the 20). I was absolutely floored by how silent the amp is when not playing - when plugged into the wall, I always had a slight noises through the amp, but now it is silent. Very nice!
Just thought I'd report on the battery I'm using to power my double four.
I have a Dewalt cordless drill that uses the Dewalt 20v Max batteries.
I found an adapter that plugs into the battery and soldered a power plug onto the wires. I can now use my drill batteries to power the PJD4 for hours. Went about 2.5 hours at a rehearsal the other night and it still lit up all 3 LEDs indicating full power.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-battery-adapter-for-DeWALT-20v-Max-18v-dock-power-connector-12-gauge-robotics/142979592702
It's the black piece on top with bare wires. I believe the power plug is a 5.5x2.5 barrel.
I have several batteries for my drill, so I could go all day.
I have a Dewalt cordless drill that uses the Dewalt 20v Max batteries.
I found an adapter that plugs into the battery and soldered a power plug onto the wires. I can now use my drill batteries to power the PJD4 for hours. Went about 2.5 hours at a rehearsal the other night and it still lit up all 3 LEDs indicating full power.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-battery-adapter-for-DeWALT-20v-Max-18v-dock-power-connector-12-gauge-robotics/142979592702
It's the black piece on top with bare wires. I believe the power plug is a 5.5x2.5 barrel.
I have several batteries for my drill, so I could go all day.
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Thank you so much for that power drill battery suggestion! I wasn't sure I would ever NEED to use my PJD4 with a battery and I was hesitant to spend the money on one. Now, for much less, I can just use one of my drill batteries if the need arises!
And by the way, I measured my OEM power plug size and it's a 5.5x2.1mm. Here's the one I got from ebay:
DC Power 5.5x2.1mm Male Plug 18AWG Pigtail Cable 1m/3.2ft For CCTV Camera 12V UR | eBay
And by the way, I measured my OEM power plug size and it's a 5.5x2.1mm. Here's the one I got from ebay:
DC Power 5.5x2.1mm Male Plug 18AWG Pigtail Cable 1m/3.2ft For CCTV Camera 12V UR | eBay
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Has anyone found any options besides the Poweradd Pilot Pro 2 that match well with the PJB D4 (20V/4A+output and can also fit in the handle)?
Looks like I may have to order one from a US retailer (I'm in Canada).
Seems like many slim battery packs I find that can put out 20V are showing discontinued/unavailable. I think reason may be that laptop industry is moving away from 19/20V batteries and going to 5V like tablets etc... (TONS of 5V power packs out there).
Looks like I may have to order one from a US retailer (I'm in Canada).
Seems like many slim battery packs I find that can put out 20V are showing discontinued/unavailable. I think reason may be that laptop industry is moving away from 19/20V batteries and going to 5V like tablets etc... (TONS of 5V power packs out there).
You are correct, it's a 5.5x2.1mm plug. For some reason I can't edit my post to change it.
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Thanks MX, looks like they don't have that exact model available on Canadian Amazon.
Looks like my best bet for easily available in Canada are the two made by "Krisdonia". They have both 25Ah and 50Ah models that are fairly compact and seem to fit the bill.
Looks like my best bet for easily available in Canada are the two made by "Krisdonia". They have both 25Ah and 50Ah models that are fairly compact and seem to fit the bill.
Did you end up getting a Krisdonia & if so which one? I was looking at that as well.
I went with the smaller of the two and it works great! Plenty of battery capacity for my needs. Length and width are a good fit but its a bit thick to slide under the handle. I just grabbed some slightly longer screws of same diameter and raised the handle so it slides under it nice and snug. Only complaint is that you have to re-select 20V each time you power it on (basically tap the power button 10 times each time you turn it on).
In reading details for the Krisdonia, it says there is a overdraw circuit. A battery I tried years ago had a circuit like that and when I played a little harder, the battery would shut off.
Also, I would think that there's a way to set the volt permanently, maybe hold down the set button when you get to 20v like a car radio. I just read this: "Double click to set the voltage from 5V to 20V." I wonder if that means it will stay on the chosen volt?
Also, I would think that there's a way to set the volt permanently, maybe hold down the set button when you get to 20v like a car radio. I just read this: "Double click to set the voltage from 5V to 20V." I wonder if that means it will stay on the chosen volt?
Yes the Kirsdonia will shut off it it see more than 4.7A in 20V mode = 90W. The Double Four is 70W so should be good... not sure if higher peaks are possible but I haven't had it shut off, and has been pretty much maxed a few times. The double tap is to cycle the voltage setting. 20V is the 5th option so I just quickly tap it 10x.
I will look again if there is a way to set as default, but I'm guessing not. They may want it to default to the lowest setting for safety reasons, who knows...
I will look again if there is a way to set as default, but I'm guessing not. They may want it to default to the lowest setting for safety reasons, who knows...
The 4.88" plus it's thickness is just a tiny bit too big to fit thru the handle (the handle is wide enough bit bottom of the loop part on each end gets in the way) I could possible grind just a hair off the inside of each side the handle and make it work.
