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Dave
Dave
Headliner II
February 9, 2015

Play 1 Battery Pack

There are many posts and request for a portable or outside speaker on ask.sonos and others for a battery powered Play 1.

The Play 1 is plugged in from the bottom with a very flush and tidy fitting power lead. This makes me think and others might agree that a battery pack could be developed that works like a drill battery and plugs into the bottom of the Play 1 - maybe the power lead could also plug into the bottom of the battery pack to recharge in situ so it is seamless in design and can be used whilst recharging or if battery power is low.

I would opt for a lithium-ion polymer battery as:

Excerpt from wikipedia
“The result is a "plastic" cell, which theoretically could be thin, flexible, and manufactured in different shapes, without risk of electrolyte leakage.”
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      51 replies

      canadiancat
      Contributor I
      February 9, 2015
      That's a great idea. Makes a change from the usual complaints about the lack of features (like an outdoor speaker) that Sonos haven't yet replied directly to. Pro-active idea sharing welcome here, thanks Dave!
      Dave
      DaveAuthor
      Headliner II
      February 9, 2015
      That's a great idea. Makes a change from the usual complaints about the lack of features (like an outdoor speaker) that Sonos haven't yet replied directly to. Pro-active idea sharing welcome here, thanks Dave!
      Thank you. Maybe others will see this and add their valued input instead of 100's of different posts on the same subject.
      Sonos Boost - PlayBar with Surround Sound Play 1's (Living Room) - Stereo Pair Play 1's (Dining Room) - Stereo Pair Play 1's (Kitchen) - Amp with two Canton 845 ceiling speakers (Bathroom) - Sonos Move - HomePod Mini x1
      nicka99
      nicka99
      Local Superstar
      February 9, 2015
      This is only possible if they already planned to do it from the outset.  Battery would be low voltage (12-20v) but current Play 1 takes high voltage (110/240).  There would have to be some internal switching already in place to bypass the transformer so they either:
      a) already thought of this and will release it some time (why not already ?)
      b) didnt think of it/plan for it and it will never happen.
      Jraward
      Lyricist III
      February 9, 2015
      Good idea, but do you have any idea about the power consumption of the Play:1? (I don't, but it wouldn't be hard to find out). That will dictate what kind of a colossal battery might be necessary considering this device undoubtedly isn't optimised for non-mains use. Eventually (Bose will force this as their multiroom has one) I would assume Sonos will have Play:freedom or Play:0 or similar in the future which I'm sure will be a battery powered speaker, but hopefully will have line in/BT for direct play when you're outside of your network. I honestly think they need to step up their game though, they're not as innovative as they once were and other systems are catching up, making it no longer the de-facto wireless system it once was.
      Dave
      DaveAuthor
      Headliner II
      February 9, 2015
      Point taken on the voltage issue, but we need to praise this idea and give it our full backing so sonos can see that there is a market for this product. Let's not have loads of fragmented or negative posts on this idea and focus on the plus side, for me it's a big YES if they introduce a battery powered play to their line-up. As for others catching up, that's just how it is with tech, but always remember sonos came first and other manufacturers were playing catch up.
      Sonos Boost - PlayBar with Surround Sound Play 1's (Living Room) - Stereo Pair Play 1's (Dining Room) - Stereo Pair Play 1's (Kitchen) - Amp with two Canton 845 ceiling speakers (Bathroom) - Sonos Move - HomePod Mini x1
      Steve Knight_1
      Lyricist III
      February 9, 2015
      I think a cheap UPS is the answer since the play one needs 120v.
      OldMick
      Lyricist I
      April 2, 2015
      One could design a "platform battery," one that is size equal to the bottom circumference of the Play 1. It could still plug into the plug prong, allowing for any size power supply. Any way it gets done, it needs to happen.
        ghicken
        Trending Lyricist I
        May 5, 2015
        Just like this!
        Kevin Freels
        Lyricist III
        May 7, 2015
        This works. Did it on m https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLs2MeU9Wi0&feature=youtu.beine.
          Kevin Freels
          Lyricist III
          May 7, 2015
          Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.
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