Power in the wild

On or about 2/16/06 8:08 AM, thus spake "John H. Lincoln"
<jhlincolnmac.com>:

> downloading the snaps to my (prepare to laugh) Tangerine iBook, using
> Automator

You were able to install Tiger on a Tangerine iBook? How did you do that????
Thx - m.

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At 08:08 AM 02/16/2006 -0800, John H. Lincoln wrote:
>this causes the unit to emit a dreadful BEEEEP every ten seconds.

Some UPS units have a switch to squelch the alarm. However, if you want to
use a cast-off unit, then you're probably stuck with the noise unless you
can find it. You might try using a stethoscope to help locate it. Even just
a length of plastic tubing used like a stethoscope might work. Your problem
is that high-pitched sounds are intrinsically difficult to localize.

But how far into the wild are you going? If you'll be near a motor vehicle,
then you have a couple of other options. One is an inverter/transformer
which plugs into the cigarette lighter (or auxiliary outlet), or for larger
currents attaches directly to the auto battery terminals. These are widely
available (see auto supply stores) and can power various devices.

However, I gather that your camera uses AA batteries (according to
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/C30/C30DAT.HTM). This opens up other
possibilities. One is a battery charger that can use an auto's 12V DC
directly, without the inverter/transformer. Many (perhaps all) of the
popular Maha line either include a car adaptor or have the adaptor
available as an accessory; see for example
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=203&cur=accessories#mid.

If you're truly wild -- backpacking, llama or camel packing, etc -- well,
then you certainly don't want to carry that UPS! There are solar battery
chargers for AA batteries available. One that looks good is at
http://www.siliconsolar.com/shop/catalog/Flexible-Solar-Battery-Charger-p-138.html.
The best one there takes 4-5 hours to charge 4 AA batteries, so if you're
doing extended photography away from other power sources, you'd need more
than one. And these devices depend on direct sunlight; cloudy days need not
apply. I haven't used these or any other solar chargers, so I can't say how
well they work. I'm interested in knowing though ... one of these days I
may get to take that cross-country bicycle trip.

Edward
Art works by Melynda Reid: http://paleo.org

On Feb 17, 2006, at 6:41 AM, Edward Reid wrote:

> Some UPS units have a switch to squelch the alarm. However, if you
> want to
> use a cast-off unit, then you're probably stuck with the noise
> unless you
> can find it. You might try using a stethoscope to help locate it.
> Even just
> a length of plastic tubing used like a stethoscope might work. Your
> problem
> is that high-pitched sounds are intrinsically difficult to localize.

A potential problem is that some UPS units (like mine) if shut off
will not turn back on in the absence of regular line AC.

I discovered that some time ago when I didn't need the power
immediately during a power outage but would later. (I know the cause
of that outage: the contractor for the cable company, while digging
where they intended to install the new distribution box for our
block, dug through the clearly marked power feed from the nearby
transformer onto our block. The good news was that no one was hurt.)

When I tried to turn the UPS back on, I found it wouldn't. I carried
it to the car--not a lightweight UPS--and took it down to the local
cafe and plugged it into the wall. It turned on fine--I let it drink
during lunch then carried it back home turned on.

   --John