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Posted by lhbadman on April 27, 2012

Wondering if anyone has put together (or found commercially)  a non-behemoth battery solution for deploying mesh APs for X number of hours, for event support?

 

-Lee Badman 

 

********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.

Comments

Message from harmon.136@osu.edu

We use these for surveys, get about a day of battery out of it easily, not sure if it'd work for your specific situation thought.

http://www.terra-wave.com/shop/80211n-mimo-site-survey-battery-pack-p-1535.html

Garrett Harmon
Network Engineer - Wireless
Office of the Chief Information Officer
The Ohio State University
614.292.2122




Posted by: listserv-anon on April 27, 2012

Thanks, Garrett- I remember these from the days of the Cisco 350, but from memory though they were only good for a couple of hours.  Looks nice, and a fair price for what it gets you.

 

-Lee

 

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Garrett Harmon
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:15 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

We use these for surveys, get about a day of battery out of it easily, not sure if it'd work for your specific situation thought.

 

http://www.terra-wave.com/shop/80211n-mimo-site-survey-battery-pack-p-1535.html


Garrett Harmon

Network Engineer - Wireless

Office of the Chief Information Officer

The Ohio State University

614.292.2122

 

 

 

Posted by: lhbadman on April 27, 2012

I’ve done about 6 hours of site survey with a dual-radio 802.11a/g AP (estimated 9 Watts) using a consumer-grade 350VA UPS that cost about $50.  It’s not that the UPS died after 6 hours, it’s just that that’s all I needed on battery.  I don’t know how long it could have gone.

 

Chuck Enfield

Sr. Communications Engineer

Telecommunications & Networking Services

The Pennsylvania State University

110H, USB2, UP, PA 16802

ph: 814.863.8715

fx: 814.865-3988

 

Posted by: cae104@psu.edu on April 27, 2012
An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 hours :(
less if you add a controller.... 

Posted by: WTCI on April 27, 2012

Thanks, fellows. The goal is something that can be neatly packaged for weather and put in a tent or a parking lot or whatever, mesh from nearby for local use like  handheld scanners, etc.  So compactness and such count.

 

On the UPS, your using AC outlet to injector, yes?

 

-Lee

 

Lee H. Badman

Wireless/Network Engineer

Information Technology and Services

Adjunct Instructor, iSchool

Syracuse University

315 443-3003

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Walczak
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:38 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 hours :(

less if you add a controller.... 

Posted by: lhbadman on April 27, 2012

Yes.

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:54 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

Thanks, fellows. The goal is something that can be neatly packaged for weather and put in a tent or a parking lot or whatever, mesh from nearby for local use like  handheld scanners, etc.  So compactness and such count.

 

On the UPS, your using AC outlet to injector, yes?

 

-Lee

 

Lee H. Badman

Wireless/Network Engineer

Information Technology and Services

Adjunct Instructor, iSchool

Syracuse University

315 443-3003

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Walczak
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:38 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 hours :(

less if you add a controller.... 

Posted by: cae104@psu.edu on April 27, 2012
Message from frnkblk@iname.com

Is a portable generator an option?

 

Frank

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 2:54 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

Thanks, fellows. The goal is something that can be neatly packaged for weather and put in a tent or a parking lot or whatever, mesh from nearby for local use like  handheld scanners, etc.  So compactness and such count.

 

On the UPS, your using AC outlet to injector, yes?

 

-Lee

 

Lee H. Badman

Wireless/Network Engineer

Information Technology and Services

Adjunct Instructor, iSchool

Syracuse University

315 443-3003

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Walczak
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:38 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 hours :(

less if you add a controller.... 

Posted by: listserv-anon on April 28, 2012

I was at the auto parts store yesterday and saw one of these…

 

It’s heavier and more expensive than a UPS, and I have no idea how long the battery takes to recharge, but in theory 28AH battery can power a 15W load for 22+ hours, though it would probably be more like 20 hours with conversion loss.

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Frank Bulk
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 10:54 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

Is a portable generator an option?

 

Frank

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 2:54 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

Thanks, fellows. The goal is something that can be neatly packaged for weather and put in a tent or a parking lot or whatever, mesh from nearby for local use like  handheld scanners, etc.  So compactness and such count.

 

On the UPS, your using AC outlet to injector, yes?

 

-Lee

 

Lee H. Badman

Wireless/Network Engineer

Information Technology and Services

Adjunct Instructor, iSchool

Syracuse University

315 443-3003

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Walczak
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:38 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 hours :(

less if you add a controller.... 

Posted by: cae104@psu.edu on April 29, 2012

Oh, I forgot the best part.  You could recharge this with one of those 12V solar panels.  An arrangement like this may be able to run hands-off for days at a time.

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Chuck Enfield
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 12:53 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

I was at the auto parts store yesterday and saw one of these…

 

It’s heavier and more expensive than a UPS, and I have no idea how long the battery takes to recharge, but in theory 28AH battery can power a 15W load for 22+ hours, though it would probably be more like 20 hours with conversion loss.

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Frank Bulk
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 10:54 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

Is a portable generator an option?

 

Frank

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 2:54 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

Thanks, fellows. The goal is something that can be neatly packaged for weather and put in a tent or a parking lot or whatever, mesh from nearby for local use like  handheld scanners, etc.  So compactness and such count.

 

On the UPS, your using AC outlet to injector, yes?

 

-Lee

 

Lee H. Badman

Wireless/Network Engineer

Information Technology and Services

Adjunct Instructor, iSchool

Syracuse University

315 443-3003

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Walczak
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:38 PM
To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups?

 

An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 hours :(

less if you add a controller.... 

Posted by: cae104@psu.edu on April 29, 2012
If you are comfortable working with 12 volt batteries here are a couple of suggestions. If this is a bit too DIY for some, ignore the note. If your like us, we replace the batteries in our small UPS's with regular frequency. They are typically the 7.5aH sealed batteries. Most batteries recovered have lots of life left in them. Here is a photo http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/NP_7_12_DataSheet.pdf Connect 4 to 8 of these (with similar voltage) in parallel in plastic battery box with appropriate gauge wire/inline fuse/connector and you will be good for many hours. Purchase a small inverter http://www.duracellpower.com/power-inverters/digital-inverters/digital-i... and place it in the same box and you have portable, waterproof supply - complete with handles and a nylon strap. See attached I have done this a few times for outdoor/portable applications and it works very well. (Scout jamboree charging cell phones for a week with solar recharge - sort of "roughing it"). You will require a battery charger to top up the batteries after deep use. All the standard cautions apply - do not charge batteries in your office/lab. Fuse the batteries because short circuits will create quite the meltdown/fire. Here is my second suggestion - not tried. Is it safe to assume the AP's support POE and the Ethernet port is not being used since you mentioned Mesh?. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Why convert to AC and back to DC. If you are a DIYer, you'll figure it out, but you may want to experiment on a low value POE device. Peter Jacobs Quoting Chuck Enfield : > I was at the auto parts store yesterday and saw one of these. > > > > > > It's heavier and more expensive than a UPS, and I have no idea how long > the battery takes to recharge, but in theory 28AH battery can power a 15W > load for 22+ hours, though it would probably be more like 20 hours with > conversion loss. > > > > From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv > [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Frank Bulk > Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 10:54 PM > To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU > Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups? > > > > Is a portable generator an option? > > > > Frank > > > > From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv > [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman > Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 2:54 PM > To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU > Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups? > > > > Thanks, fellows. The goal is something that can be neatly packaged for > weather and put in a tent or a parking lot or whatever, mesh from nearby > for local use like handheld scanners, etc. So compactness and such > count. > > > > On the UPS, your using AC outlet to injector, yes? > > > > -Lee > > > > Lee H. Badman > > Wireless/Network Engineer > > Information Technology and Services > > Adjunct Instructor, iSchool > > Syracuse University > > 315 443-3003 > > > > > > From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv > [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Walczak > Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 3:38 PM > To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU > Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Battery packs for portable AP setups? > > > > An image flashed Cisco 3500i will drain an APC 1500VA UPS in 2.5 - 3.0 > hours :( > > less if you add a controller.... > >
Posted by: pejacobs on April 29, 2012
Message from bosborne@liberty.edu

A couple of years ago we built some battery powered remote APs  that connected back to our network using USB 3G backhaul. Thie whole system fit into a laptop bag. We were expecting about 9 hours per charge.

 

We used an Aruba RAP5-WN AP, Trkkeon myPower ALL MP3450i battery (the industrial version) and a Tekkeon myPower ALL  Plus MP3450-10 extended battery. We also had to buth the proper dc adapter plug separately.

 

The two batteries function as one higher capacity unit. The AP is a single ragio AP, so that may affect power calsulations when using other AP models. We found the best battery price at bhphotovideo.com, but any needed adapter tips must be purchased drect from Tekkeon. We bought a netbook shoulder case from Amazon to house it all.

 

MP3450i: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618847-REG/Tekkeon_MP3450I_myPower_ALL_Plus_MP3450i.html

 

MP3450-10: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/622827-REG/Tekkeon_MP3450_10_myPower_ALL_Plus_MP3450_10.html

 

The solution is not that elegant, but it appears to work for our customer requirements.

 
Bruce Osborne
Wireless Network Engineer
IT Network Services
 
(434) 592-4229
 
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
40 Years of Training Champions for Christ: 1971-2011
 
From: Lee H Badman [lhbadman@SYR.EDU]
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 2:59 PM
Subject: Battery packs for portable AP setups?

Wondering if anyone has put together (or found commercially)  a non-behemoth battery solution for deploying mesh APs for X number of hours, for event support?

 

-Lee Badman 

 

********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.

********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.

Posted by: listserv-anon on April 29, 2012
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