3M Air Stream Conversion

[Dave Fritz]

My Air Stream battery is going bad. I've had it rebuilt once but have seen conversions done using a smaller battery and attaching that to the helmet. I'd like to look into that. While I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer regarding technology and things electrical, I do have a friend that is. Can anyone recommend an accurate video or tutorial about how to do it that I can give to him rather than trying to explain it myself? While there are videos available, I'd appreciate feedback from those who know regarding a good one. Thank you so much.

 

[Edward Kerslake]

Dave
I did this, it's dead easy.

Get a Battery pack that's used to charge a cell phone and with a USB output. I then used a USB printer cable that I had lying around (use any robust cable) and cut the other end off (not the end that connects to the battery pack ;-)

Open up the hemet (easy if I recall) and find out where the wires from the old battery pack connect. De-solder those wires and attach the new ones.
I did see a youtube video or guide and will try to find and link (but you really don't need it)
If I recall, the only catch was finding a battery pack that could deliver 2Amps (they ARE available)

I didn't want to add weight to the helmet and so I keep the battery (tiny) in my pocket


edit: found one

View: https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0m9n9Iog7w

 

[Dave Fritz]

Thank you Edward. I know Alon was the pioneer in doing this and appreciate his work. I'm glad to know more about your experience, thank you.

 

[Dean Center]

Alan Zenerich lead us by the hand here on the forum to do this about 8 years ago. The available batteries have improved, but the concept would be the same. I believe he had a pretty thorough explanation in a post inside the thread.

 

[Kent Jaffrey]

I did a similar thing but a lot simpler. I just got some barrel plugs (like the links below) cut the cable that normally runs from helmet to battery and spliced a female connector to the helmet side and a male connector to the battery side. Just do similar color connections on each end of the cable. This allowed the old battery style connector to still work if needed (but I never use it). Then used the usb adapter linked to plug the battery into the helmet.

Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q5PHHFK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

One caution is some usb power bank batteries have safety devices built in that keep them from starting the fan (I assume to much initial power draw) so I started using a larger battery which doesn’t have that problem and just stick it in my back pocket rather than helmet attachment.

Amazon.com

 

[Dave Fritz]

Thank you Kent, I figured batteries had improved and appreciate a newer one that works well for you.