Dab radio with long battery life

[shed driver]

Dad's in hospital, and loves listening to the radio, especially 5 live and sports. Sadly the necessary equipment around his bed is taking up all the bed head sockets.

We've got him a DAB radio, but it's eating batteries for fun, he tends to fall asleep with it on. I'm going to use NiMH batteries and recharge them at home, but it's a 40 mile round trip to the hospital so not exactly cost effective and with work I'm not going to be there every day.

Any cheap radios that will last a while on battery?

SD.

[Sticks.]

I suspect they're all like it. I had a small Sony for the bathroom and sent it back it was so bad.

These batteries are recommended for my Blink cameras, not sure if they'd be better https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004G6NYB6/ref...

What about using his phone and maybe an extra power supply (or two)? Last time I was in hosp it was unplanned and they were kind enough to charge my phone. Not sure if they'd mind every day/night, only one way to find out.

[Jinx]

One of the major downsides of DAB is its power consumption. Old transistor radios could be powered off nothing more than a potato (https://gardeninguru.com/how-to-make-a-potato-radio/) but due to the signal processing and DAC requirements a DAB will never be as good as old fashioned radios when it comes to power consumption.
Roberts did produce a range of Ecologic DABs that were marketed as having a long battery life (with 6 D batteries I would hope they did) so it might be worth looking at their portables.
But even their sports portables ( https://www.argos.co.uk/product/2559669?clickSR=sl...) only offer 20 hours of battery life.
Otherwise this ( https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404250454970?chn=ps&amp...) might be a alternative idea.

[jeremyc]

Extension lead plugged into one of the bed head sockets?

[lufbramatt]

I've got a Pure Evoke DAB radio and the battery pack on that lasts for ages before I have to plug it back in. Several weeks worth of half an hour a day. Not cheap though and I'm not sure if they come with the battery these days, might have to buy it separately.

[deanobeano]

Does the radio have a charging socket (to use a mains charger)?
Is this USB?
If not, check the output of the main charger - its most likely 5V DC. If this is the case, then you could use a 20,000 mAh powerbank to run it.
If its a barrel adaptor, you could find a suitable one with a USB A on the other end. (Ebay / Amazon).
Or if you don't mind bdising your mains adaptor, cut the wires after the adaptor and splice it to a spare USB cable that you have lying around?

Edited by deanobeano on Tuesday 19th September 09:06

[Whoozit]

Cordless radio running off rechargeable power tool batteries? At least he'd have a spare battery https://www.powertoolmate.co.uk/power-tools/cordle...

If I had a use for this, I'd get one like a shot and start swapping my power tools over.

[indigochim]

I have one of these It's USB rechargeable if that helps. I couldn't say how long the battery last for as I bought it for Radio LeMans only to find they don't broadcast for the classic. I'm pretty sure it can charge and play at the same time. If I can rummage it out I'll test tomorrow. Note I didn't by from that ebay seller. I bought from Ali Express.