| Battery power for the Cradlepoint 350 [message #75560] |
Wed, 03 March 2010 17:29 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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We have been discussing the Cradlepoint WIFI routers that use a USB dongle from your favorite carrier to access the internet while on the road.
I have a new Cradlepoint 1000 and it came with a free 350 thrown in, which also came with a 12 volt power cord as a second freebee. My plan is to use it in the car when I drive so I have WIFI access most of the time. I was wondering how much power it took so if I left it on overnight (like outside of a motel room) what battery drain would it impose.
Report: At idle the Cradlepoint 350 with the USB 720 Verizon dongle attached takes 180 mA (less that 2/10 ths of an amp) doing nothing, and 270 mA when actually "talking" to the tower and computer.
Bottom line: you could leave it hooked up to either your GMC engine or house batteries and not worry about it draining them for a long time even if left on 24/7 while dry camping. It is wonderful to have your own WIFI system wherever you are, and if camping with friends, you can be their access point, and be a hero. Dan Gregg did that at Quartzite.
Remember your carrier will charge you $60 a month for access to their system. I use it as my only net access while in AZ in the winter and it is very satisfactory as I have broadband access here. I would use it at home in Idaho, but I live in one of the few places where there are no cell towers at all.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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