question about the nicostick...

[DNCMenteer]

I am about to start making my first one......and was wondering if there was a way to use regular AA or AAA batts instead of the ones you have to order?.....if there is a thread about using regular batts already then maybe you could point me in the right direction?? THANKS!!

 

[guting]

yeah can use regular you need the 4 AA/AAA box with three inside or not going have enough volts

 

[DNCMenteer]

so 4 AAA batts are enough to power an atty?

 

[DNCMenteer]

is there a special way i have to wire it or anything? can anyone help??

 

[four2109]

3 AA bats, the 4th slot is for your atty and switch. If you scour this forum, there are some examples. The batts just run in series, you shouldn't have to change anything, just remove the tabs in your atty slot. I don't know how much time you can get out of regular batteries. It's going to get expensive to replace AA'a all the time.
If you really just don't want to order from China, check your cordless phone. The batt is probably 3.6V NiCad and it's rechargeable. It won't fit in your RS box, rig it something else, but it will give you an idea of the size, etc.

 

[DNCMenteer]

this AA mod is just going to be a first building block until order from china...plus they make rechargeable AA's dont they?

 

[mnealtx]

1.2v Nicads will work, but you won't get a whole lot of endurance. Once your 3.7's come in, you'd either need to build a new box (2AA for 1 battery) or convert the existing box to either a 2 battery serial or 2-3 battery parallel.

My nicostick is a 3aa box with 2 x 14500 3.7v in parallel - 1800maH vs 180maH from the original 510 battery is sweet!

My next one is going to be 2 x 14500 in series, I think. Probably with a 5v regulator to keep it in the sweet spot.

 

[Burnie]

My next one is going to be 2 x 14500 in series, I think. Probably with a 5v regulator to keep it in the sweet spot.

My regulators are coming in Thursday and I am going to build one of these this weekend. Without the regulator I think the voltage would burnout atty's (7.4v~8.2v). I'll start a new thread with pictures once I get it together and working.

Burnie

 

[mnealtx]

I'm trying to find an option OTHER than TI - for some reason, they won't send samples to APO/FPO. Trying to find out if the regulator from sparkfun is the same thing.

Looking forward to the pics!

 

[DNCMenteer]

im looking forward to giving it a shot no matter what i do....you guys are great....!

 

[framitz]

3 AA or AAA alkaline batteries in series will work. Or you can use 4 AA or AAA rechargeable NiMh in series for about 4.8 volts which is very nice.