Battery
The Mini³ has an onboard battery charger designed only to be used with a 9V NiMH (nickel
metal hydride) rechargeable battery. No other battery types should be used to avoid possible
battery explosion.
NOTE: Do not, under any cirmcumstances, use a Li-Poly, Li-Ion, or non-rechargeable battery
in the Mini³.
The battery is snapped in place by onboard battery contacts, and the case has just enough
clearance for a standard size 9V battery. However, not all battery vendors adhere strictly to
the standard, and some batteries may be too thick to fit.
The CTA 325mAH or 275mAH, and t9V
NiMH batteries are recommended for Mini³. These have high capacity, providing long play
times between charges, has an excellent 500-1000 cycles of recharge life, and are
reasonably priced.
Note that some samples of these batteries have been found to be thicker than spec, and may
not fit properly in the Mini³. In most cases peeling off the plastic film wrapping and sanding
away a little of the largest flat surfaces of the battery will make them fit.
Tbatteries are also
favorites, but they are oversized and is a
very
tight fit.
The above batteries are available from various sources, includiin the US. You can try another brand of 9V NiMH battery, but you'll have to
check the fitment.
AC-DC adapter
Due to Mini³'s onboard voltage regulation, the AC-DC adapter requirement is not very
stringent. It should be a linear adapter (not switching) to avoid high-frequency noise, but does
not need to be regulated. It must output somewhere between 15VDC and 24VDC. 24VDC is
the absolute maximum. Do not trust the label, you should measure it with a DMM to be sure,
because unregulated DC adapters usually output more voltage than specified). The minimum
current rating should be 300mA to ensure that it could provide all the current the amp might
need under all circumstances.
The AC-DC adapter should be fully isolated. That is, if it has a three-prong AC wall plug, the
AC earth pin should not be internally connected to either the positive or negative outputs.
Using your DMM, you should verify this by checking the resistance between them. The
readings should both show infinity ("OL").
Many "12VDC" unregulated DC adapters actually output more than 15VDC, and are good to
use with Mini³.
The AC-DC adapter's output plug should be a barrel-type with 2.5mm ID, 5.5mm OD female,
the polarity is center-positive. The appropriate input AC mains voltage, frequency and plug
style depends on your country.
Example adapters are listed in the parts list table above.
