[Zaphodski]

Father Christmas brought a new DAB radio primary for use in the bathroom (obviously no mains.....) I am well aware from my Pure DAB radio on how quickly they kill batteries so I am looking for the best power solution. I have a nagging doubt that finding a shaving point adapter to plug the mains transformer into isn't a wise move so a AA (4) battery solution it is. It's eating Alkaline's for a pass time so I've started looking at rechargeable's. I am presently using 1800mAh Duracell's however I'm lucky if they survive overnight with only 15 - 30 minutes of power up during the day. These batteries could be faulty or too old to keep their charge? If this is the case (how can I tell?) I'll just get some new 2700mAh batteries however if they are ok then 2700mAh will still only last two or three days tops. I've had C cells (non rechargeable) in my Pure for weeks with a similar occasional use I have also been advised that Lithium cells will last a long time (but still could prove expensive) and have recently read about Nickel Zinc rechargeable's that at 1.6v could make all the difference compared to 1.2v rechargeable's which leave me 1.2v short compared to Alkelines....

Another thought I'm mulling over is making up a lead to extend the output of the transformer safely under the bathroom door, around the skirting etc however this will obviously not look as nice as a battery solution.

Any ideas very welcome. Happy New Year

[-GONZO-]

Eneloops
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/pr...#hsec:overview

[ironjade]

Swap it if possible unless you want your life to become an endless loop of recharging batteries which won't hold their charge for any decent length of time. I got rid of my first battery/mains DAB radio and bought a solar-powered Roberts version which is much less of a pain than dicking around with batteries and ideal for a bathroom.
The Roberts solar DAB won't win any beauty contests but it does the job for about £80, assuming it's still available.

[Zaphodski]

Originally Posted by ironjade

Swap it if possible unless you want your life to become an endless loop of recharging batteries which won't hold their charge for any decent length of time. I got rid of my first battery/mains DAB radio and bought a solar-powered Roberts version which is much less of a pain than dicking around with batteries and ideal for a bathroom.
The Roberts solar DAB won't win any beauty contests but it does the job for about £80, assuming it's still available.

This is a concern I admit... Swapping once a week is bearable, more often than that would be a show stopper...

[jjne]

My DAB radio in the bathroom is similar -- I find that switching it off at the switch at the rear results in much greater battery life.

[ironjade]

Originally Posted by Zaphodski

This is a concern I admit... Swapping once a week is bearable, more often than that would be a show stopper...

It will definitely become much more frequent, to the point of becoming more trouble than it's worth. Even having multiple sets of rechargeables only helps up to a point: you'll still be swapping them over more and more often and they'll invariably crap out when you're in the bath. The only other solution is to plug it into the mains in another room and turn it up loud or leave the bathroom door open.
Even the solar-powered one which I have needs to be recharged when the weather is as dull as it is this time of year but the internal battery does a much better job than replaceable ones.
I wish I had better news but, as with so much modern gadgetry, the battery is the weak link and likely to remain so.

[Zaphodski]

Originally Posted by jjne

My DAB radio in the bathroom is similar -- I find that switching it off at the switch at the rear results in much greater battery life.

My radio has a soft power off at the front and a hard power off at the rear. First day I just used the front and attributed the drain to that. Second day used the rear and that made little difference. I've even got into the habit of switching it to FM before power off (as the rest of the family only listen to Heart). This also has had a negligible effect...

[Winston_1]

Originally Posted by Zaphodski

I have a nagging doubt that finding a shaving point adapter to plug the mains transformer into isn't a wise move )

That is actually the best solution. A shaver point is completely isolated and should have sufficient power for a small DAB radio.

[Zaphodski]

Originally Posted by Winston_1

That is actually the best solution. A shaver point is completely isolated and should have sufficient power for a small DAB radio.

Just found this thread, on a different forum, which is asking precisely the same question.

Any electricians out there that would like to comment?

Is it possible / legal to change the face plate of a shaver socket to accept a three pin plug?

[niall campbell]

Originally Posted by Zaphodski

Just found this thread, on a different forum, which is asking precisely the same question.

Any electricians out there that would like to comment?

Is it possible / legal to change the face plate of a shaver socket to accept a three pin plug?

DO NOT do this

very dangerous & that's why you don't have it in the first place

[niall campbell]

Originally Posted by ironjade

Swap it if possible unless you want your life to become an endless loop of recharging batteries which won't hold their charge for any decent length of time. I got rid of my first battery/mains DAB radio and bought a solar-powered Roberts version which is much less of a pain than dicking around with batteries and ideal for a bathroom.
The Roberts solar DAB won't win any beauty contests but it does the job for about £80, assuming it's still available.

this radio is your best choice . IT COMES SUPPLIED WITH A RE-CHARGEABLE battery pack which costs extra in other brands

I have this and recharge it in my bedroom. lasts a decent time

[londonman]

Buy an FM radio ?

[chrisbartley]

The only other solution is to plug it into the mains in another room and turn it up loud or leave the bathroom door open.

Another thought I'm mulling over is making up a lead to extend the output of the transformer safely under the bathroom door, around the skirting etc however this will obviously not look as nice as a battery solution

or just an extension lead + speaker - unless you're a channel hopper !

[Zaphodski]

Originally Posted by londonman

Buy an FM radio ?

I like to listen to the stations only available on DAB!

[Zaphodski]

Has anyone tried the different rechargeable battery technologies I mentioned in my initial post?

[londonman]

Originally Posted by Zaphodski

I like to listen to the stations only available on DAB!

LOL. I know that poor battery life was one of the (many) downsides of early DAB radios but all the DAB pundits seem to be banging on about the newer DAB radios having brilliant battery life. So that sounds like more hype and BS from the pro-DAB lobby.

You could buy a cheap USB > FM transmitter. Stream the audio from your computer (using internet radio) into this transmitter. Then buy an FM radio ! Excellent battery consumption.

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by londonman

LOL. I know that poor battery life was one of the (many) downsides of early DAB radios but all the DAB pundits seem to be banging on about the newer DAB radios having brilliant battery life. So that sounds like more hype and BS from the pro-DAB lobby.

You could buy a cheap USB > FM transmitter. Stream the audio from your computer (using internet radio) into this transmitter. Then buy an FM radio ! Excellent battery consumption.

But appaling sound quality. I have used FM transmitters for my ipod in the past and they should always be the last option.

[londonman]

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

But appaling sound quality. I have used FM transmitters for my ipod in the past and they should always be the last option.

Mmmm... for someone who thinks that Radio 2 and 4 on DAB is the bees knees, I'll take your comment with a pinch of salt

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by londonman

Mmmm... for someone who thinks that Radio 2 and 4 on DAB is the bees knees, I'll take your comment with a pinch of salt

You have obviously not even tried one of these FM transmitters! Also where did I say Radio 2 and Radio 4 on DAB are the bees knees? I said Radio 2 sounds better on satellite than FM. Satellite is not DAB. And considering you just want to make constant anti DAB posts I take your opinion with a pinch of salt. Even the best FM transmitters like the Belkin have annoying background noise and that's even when you have a clear frequency. So if you are in an area with no clear frequencies you are even more stuffed.

[londonman]

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

You have obviously not even tried one of these FM transmitters! .....

I've got one. It works fine. Don't forget we are not talking using it to feed a high-end hi-fi system.

In post 122 on the other thread you said

Not only does Radio 3 sound better via the internet it also sounds better via DAB because of their higher bit rate.

Which is kind a strange since at best DAB is 190kbps and Radio 3 HD stream is, what, 320kbps?

We're ignoring DAB MP2 compression grotty sound of course

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by londonman

I've got one. It works fine. Don't forget we are not talking using it to feed a high-end hi-fi system.

In post 122 on the other thread you said

Not only does Radio 3 sound better via the internet it also sounds better via DAB because of their higher bit rate.

Which is kind a strange since at best DAB is 190kbps and Radio 3 HD stream is, what, 320kbps?

We're ignoring DAB MP2 compression grotty sound of course

Radio 3 not Radio 2. I did not say DAB was better than the HD stream. If you read again I said even DAB sounds better for Radio 3 than FM. And wasn't it you who had the cheek of saying it sounded better on FM than the HD stream.
On the subject of the transmitters they may sound OK on some mono radio but it depends how far the OP's computer is from the radio.

[londonman]

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

.....And wasn't it you who had the cheek of saying it sounded better on FM than the HD stream.
...

Not sure if it was me. In any case, it is a question of personal preference. Some people prefer vinyl over CD. Others a valve amplifier over FET's.

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

On the subject of the transmitters they may sound OK on some mono radio but it depends how far the OP's computer is from the radio.

So you shot from the hip, without knowing the exact circumstances of the OP and summarily dismissed a valid suggestion. Helpful.

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by londonman

Not sure if it was me. In any case, it is a question of personal preference. Some people prefer vinyl over CD. Others a valve amplifier over FET's.



So you shot from the hip, without knowing the exact circumstances of the OP and summarily dismissed a valid suggestion. Helpful.

And some prefer DAB so pot kettle black. And I didn't shoot from the hip. I gave my opinion which was FM transmitters are a poor option.

[londonman]

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

And some prefer DAB so pot kettle black. And I didn't shoot from the hip. I gave my opinion which was FM transmitters are a poor option.

Oh dear.

Post 17 you wrote
But appaling sound quality

then in another post you wrote

On the subject of the transmitters they may sound OK on some mono radio

Make your mind up.

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by londonman

Oh dear.

Post 17 you wrote
But appaling sound quality

then in another post you wrote

On the subject of the transmitters they may sound OK on some mono radio

Make your mind up.

I have they are poor. Stop nitpicking.