Anyone good at electronics type stuff...?

[MikeVFR]

I've a new JVC GR-DVP9 MiniDV camera that I need to be able to charge from the bike battery. The JVC website is quoting £50 for a JVC item! :} :} :} (The Japanese, they've such a sense of humour!).
If you think you might be able to help me rig up a cheaper alternative I'd much appreciate it. :bow:

The specs published in the manual are:

Power Reqmnt: AC110v to 240 v~, 50Hz/60Hz
Power Consumption: 23W
Output:
Charge - DC 7.2V (one long upper line, with 3 parallel broken lines underneath :dunno: :dunce: ) 1.2A.
VTR - DC 6.3V (one long upper line, with 3 parallel broken lines underneath :dunno: :dunce:) 1.8A.

The tricky bit will be connecting to the battery, as it has to be removed from the camera to charge.
See www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/cyber
& www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/accessory/

Mike

[Brains]

Converting the bike's voltage to 7.2V is not difficult but coming up with a method of holding the battery securely while it charges on the bike may be a bit more of a challenge. It depends on how much of a bodge you're prepared for it to be I suppose. I have some of this (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Products/Module.asp?CartID=040508105704546&ModuleNo=35511&MR=N) stuff from Maplins which is quite neat. You may be able to use the battery as a former to create a battery holder from something like that and then add the contacts for charging :dunno: Unfortunately you're a bit too far away for me to offer to pop round and have a look at it for you (otherwise I would, honest ;) ).

[MikeVFR]

Converting the bike's voltage to 7.2V is not difficult but coming up with a method of holding the battery securely while it charges on the bike may be a bit more of a challenge. It depends on how much of a bodge you're prepared for it to be I suppose. I have some of this (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Products/Module.asp?CartID=040508105704546&ModuleNo=35511&MR=N) stuff from Maplins which is quite neat. You may be able to use the battery as a former to create a battery holder from something like that and then add the contacts for charging :dunno: Unfortunately you're a bit too far away for me to offer to pop round and have a look at it for you (otherwise I would, honest ;) ).

The battery came with a plastic cover that clicks into place quite securely and neatly. I'd thought that a little modification with a sharp knife might allow for some suitable contacts to be fashioned, with a little Araldite or similar holding them in place. The leccy bit is the bit that I know nothing about.

Thanks for the offer of popping round, I'll put the kettle on.... :} :} :} :club:

[Brains]

Or alternatively you could go for a third party charger like this (http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/index.htm?http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_vc102216.htm) that works on mains or 12V for nearly £20 less. Depends on just how tight fisted you are ;) :}