I just unpacked my new Zoom Q2n-4K. I downloaded the manual, printed the manual on paper so I won't have to be near a computer to read it.
The manual says that I can power it with either 2 AA cells or a 5v USB cable. What it doesn't tell me is this:
Do I have to take the batteries out to use the USB, or can I leave them in?
I don't want to damage the unit, and the manual doesn't tell me. I would assume the device is smart enough to switch over if both batteries and USB are connected, but you know what they say about A$$-U-ME.
I did not find a schematic to the device but I see no reason to remove batteries. In fact depending on how the circuit is set up the batteries could very well act as a buffer that would have some ability to help protect against voltage spikes from the 5 v external circuit.
I think video track told me he is a electronic design engineer. He may be able to comment on the issue.
I have never seen a consumer electronic device that needed to have the batteries removed to plug into a external power supply.
Don't worry, be happy!
Look on page 44 of the users manual. It talks about the auto power off function. It says that the auto power off function is disabled when plugged into USB power which also leads me to believe that the MFG expects the batteries to always be in the device. The auto power off function is there to save the battery power.
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 10/04/2005:12 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
I agree with Billy. In my view, the design would be to run on batteries unless external 5 volt power was available, and it would automatically switch to use the external power as required.
No manufacturer would expect you to remove the batteries before you could connect to external power. Moreover, if that was a requirement, there would be an interlock of some description so that the external plug could not connect while the batteries were inserted.
I'm very confident that they can both coexist.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I just unpacked my new Zoom Q2n-4K. I downloaded the manual, printed the manual on paper so I won't have to be near a computer to read it.
The manual says that I can power it with either 2 AA cells or a 5v USB cable. What it doesn't tell me is this:
Do I have to take the batteries out to use the USB, or can I leave them in?
I don't want to damage the unit, and the manual doesn't tell me. I would assume the device is smart enough to switch over if both batteries and USB are connected, but you know what they say about A$$-U-ME.
Thanks, Notes
Check your manual around page 41 for Battery settings. On an online version of a Q2n-4K manual shows a setting to select between Ni-mh, Lithium and alkaline. If your version has this setting, the batteries can remain but this selection must be set for the correct battery type.
Yes, good pickup Charlie. Make sure the battery type is set correctly, as different cell types produce different voltages. There's probably in built regulation anyway, but the system will need to know this to determine the state of battery life.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I did read the manual and read that the battery type setting is to let the camera warn you when the batteries get low. I suspect all 3 types have slightly different voltages and different discharge 'signatures'.
I assumed I would be able to leave the batteries in figuring there would be a warning if that was a problem. On the other hand, I've occasionally seen some important things left out of manuals.
Remembering the days when I had a video camera that recorded on little tape cassettes, I'm amazed at the size of this device.
Now comes the learning curve for placement, lighting, settings, sound, etc.
I just finished learning 4 "new" songs, in case we ever gig again plus 20 new country styles for Band-in-a-Box. I'm working on a rock style e-disk and Leilani and I are working on a few new fake e-disks. Plus I'm doing some maintenance on the house. Being "safer at home" has meant 'busier than ever' for me.
When I get my first decent video, I'll post it. I have an old copy of Sony Vegas video editing software on CD-ROM that I used years ago to make a slide-show promo video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmCRwAy1UV8 so if it loads in Win10 I'll try it before looking for something else.
Now if I only didn't need to sleep 6-7 hours a day, I could get a lot more done.
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface casio wk-7500 biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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plus 20 new country styles for Band-in-a-Box. I'm working on a rock style e-disk and Leilani and I are working on a few new fake e-disks. Plus I'm doing some maintenance on the house. Being "safer at home" has meant 'busier than ever' for me. 
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