Rechargeable Spark?
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@brandon Or am I misunderstanding how you're using the power bank -- are you plugging the Spark's AC adapter into the power bank? At first I thought you were using the DC out into the power input on the amp. Thanks for clarifying what you're doing.
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Why not try a NUX Mighty Air to use as a portable solution. Looks like a cool little practice amp for easy travel. I don’t think it will sound as good as a Spark, but it sure looks super convenient. Long battery life and includes the guitar transmitter for less than $200. I think I’m going to pick one up. Adding a battery pack to my Spark just sounds like a hassle.
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@crystalpit lol,, with all the "awesome" comments about the Spark on this forum, and the users "love" for PG in general, you will be lucky to get half the price, if anything at all. What are you thinking? that you are buying a Picasso? Id love to see that eBay auction, dont forget to post the link here hahaha.
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@elgrantimo64 said in Rechargeable Spark?:
lol,, with all the "awesome" comments about the Spark on this forum, and the users "love" for PG in general, you will be lucky to get half the price, if anything at all. What are you thinking? that you are buying a Picasso? Id love to see that eBay auction, dont forget to post the link here hahaha.
Sure here you go, more than one link:
44 sold lately and 4 up that will sell if you have a look
Why make such a ridiculous set of claims though? in regards to the "spark amp" most comments about how it plays seem to show people like that part of it, most negative comments are directed at delivery times interpreted as why do I have to wait (those would be users that make up most of the no love crowd I suspect) while the majority of the rest are concerns about power supplies.
However just like in life I also suspect there is literally millions of happy PG product users that do not have time to come join the conversations here and just because they do not post does not make me think they are outweighed by unhappy folks. Even if there is so much stimulating conversation they are missing out on as of late...Myself I still feel the product is not for me nor ever would be and see it as a distraction at best. Others seem to feel different as is usually the case. I'm glad they can sell them and reclaim investments of money time hope and whatever makes them happy, or just shut up. At least they can openly sell with ease unlike the software we pay to use and are not openly given the okay to sell our licenses to other users with ease cough... (I used my elbow)
cheers
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@tafkad Wow,, you are right,, sorry, yes, they are actually buying them at artificially inflated prices.
People are more gullible than I though, I guess I should get used to have less hope on individual intellect (sorry, I meant "common sense"). Looks like another episode of 'A fool and his money are soon parted...' -
@rgilgan It won't necessarily cause damage, but it might. However, using an under-voltage supply definitely means it won't work like it should.
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This Power Bank works fine with my Spark Amp!
XT-20000QC3-PA2-AO Power Bank
Important: Special model "without automatic shutdown"
Product details: The continuous operation of devices on the DC output 12-24V 0.1 to 50 watts
From the Manual:
Many power banks turn off the DC output (circular plug) when a mobile device is fully charged. Most of the time this shutdown is at a load below 4-5 watts. Our models XT-16000QC3 and XT-20000QC3 also have this automatic shutdown. In the special model sold here, this shutdown was disabled. Thus, you can also power small devices, LED lights, devices with standby mode and many other applications.Measurements:
I could measure the power consumption of the Spark Amp with my Powerbank in Watts.Headphones: 1.7 to 2.5 Watts
Speaker: 1.9 to 3,5 WattsSo both are less than 4 Watts!
From my experience, in practice, the other Powerbank shuts down below about 2.5 Watts!
So with speakers it works some time, but eventually shut down...This Power Bank I tried before and did not work!
XT-20000QC3-PA Power Bank:Product details:
The continuous operation of devices on the DC output is possible from a power consumption of 4 watts.Thank you to Intecro GmbH for easy switching the Powerbanks!
Links are for German or Europe purchasers.
This one is for US purchasers!
I hope that will help other Spark users!
Cheers! -
@macherey So at 2 under watts consumption, maybe 8 to 10 hours of operation, when the powerbank is new and the energy cells are new ... declining with time/recharges? And at a higher volume, closer to 4 watts power consumption, then 4 to 5 hours of operation?
What is your personal experience with the power bank?
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@macherey
Yes, I’m interested as well, and am thinking a power bank is the way to go and simply use the switchable power adaptor that came with the Spark, rather than try a small 19V or 19.5V unit.I’m looking at options, but leaning toward the RAVPower 80W AC outlet power bank, 20000mAh 30W unit on Amazon. There’s another 31200mAh unit from APAFISH, but I’m not familiar with them.
I’ve sent the Spark specs to RAVPower and asked for some advice.......will keep you posted.
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@karic76 The PowerAdd 35000 mAh power pack is excellent with the Spark. When I first got the Spark I tested it out with the PowerAdd unit and I had the Spark on for 11 continuous hours, most as a bluetooth speaker streaming audio from my iPad but a couple of hours using the Spark as a guitar amp. After 11 hours the PowerAdd unit was only down 35%! And priced just over $100 (less if there's a coupon special in effect when you buy it) it's much cheaper than units which will allow you to plug in the Spark's power supply.
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@dhbailey
That’s good to hear. Where did you find the big PowerAdd? I did a quick Amazon search and found some of their smaller power banks, but nothing rated at 35000.I followed up with RAVPower after noticing their products only accept dbl insulated two prong plugs and they do not offer anything with a 3prong grounded plug receptacle.....too bad.
I’ve got an Electrical Engineer buddy checking into the APAFISH 31200mAh unit that retails on Amazon.ca for $110CDN, but your PowerAdd sounds like a viable option.
I’m only looking for something to power the amp for 2-3hrs max!
My conversations with Spark support indicates there might be a battery powered amp in the future, but that doesn’t help the 100,000 of owners today.
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@karic76 I'm sorry -- I typed the number wrong. It's 32000mah -- here's the Amazon link:
https://smile.amazon.com/POWERADD-Delivery-30000mAh-Smartphones-Chromebook/dp/B07WVTKTYD/ref=sr_1_7?crid=24S1CT1GL4S8T&dchild=1&keywords=poweradd+32000mah+battery&qid=1606383510&sprefix=poweradd+32000%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-7 -
@dhbailey
Thanks, DH....unfortunately there’s no stock on your PowerAdd at Amazon.com, but I’m in Canada and will see what’s available up here.I am curious though.....how did you plug the Power bank into your Spark? The photos I saw didn’t show a 110V outlet.
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@karic76 You don't use the Spark power adapter. The PowerAdd comes with a cable and some alternate adapters to use with various other devices. That cable has the correct size plug, so you set the PowerAdd to provide 19volts of power (it has several other settings so you need to read the manual to set it to the correct voltage) and just plug the cable from the DC-Out jack on the PowerAdd to the DC-In jack on the amp. The Spark power adapter doesn't enter into the situation at all. Some Spark owners have glued Velcro to the back of the amp and to the PowerAdd or other battery pack so it sticks to the amp, making for a truly portable amp.
And one fantastic aspect of using a batter pack like the PowerAdd is that there is never a ground hum issue because the Spark isn't attached to the local AC outlets at all. However you can use the PowerAdd while it is being recharged so you can leave it attached to the Spark while you're charging the batterypack and still play your guitar through the amp.
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@dhbailey EXCELLENT! Thank you. Truly appreciate the help.
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@brandon said in Rechargeable Spark?:
@rgilgan I am thinking about getting one of these to try - Aiper Portable 45000mAh Battery Backup - according to one of the comments, it sounds like it may run 40w for around 4 hours.
EDIT - I actually went with one of these to try - Rockpals 250W Portable Power Station
That's a good pick, keep it!
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Any other thoughts/discoveries about the subject? I thought it was an excellent idea...
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My Roland Street Cube Ex does 50watts RMS for 5 hours on 8 rechargable AAs in the neatest screw-on plastic cassette you ever saw - thats into a D class amp - c'mon Positive Grid - you do a SPARK with a similar cassette and I'll buy one - oh and fix the boomy bass too
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I will share my experience for all those who are interested.
After reading quite a lot about the subject I jumped into a solution and bought this one
XTPower® XT-20000QC3-AO-PA
I must say that I am nicely surprised because it was very easy to set up and after the first charge I am playing already more than 8hours and the bank is still at 32% left , which is exactly what I needed.
Of course I don't pump up the volume since I live in an apartment. I am really happy 😊
