Tired of Changing Mixer Batteries...

craigbowman

craigbowman

Veteran
...so I thought I'd look at adding NP-1 Li Ion to the bag. Other than the big cost of the chargers which seem to be dual slot and more, is there any down side to going this route?
 
I'm also running a 302 which is supplying phantom power but only to one mic at a time, (usually an MKH50 or a 416). I'm definately not getting 8-10 hours though. Seems to last less than half that time.
 
NP-1 w/Remote Audio's BDS -couldn't live without it. Lith-ions are the way to go no weight and they last longer than you can, when you do change the batts you can do it in under 5 seconds. I just worked Game 2 of the NBA finals worked 15 hrs prob 10 of those my bag was on the only batteries I changed were the hand held mic (wireless) and wireless hops on the camera. If I had to dig into my bag to change mixer batts then wireless batts... it is just not worth the hassle especally if you are in a business where you are as good as your last job. I've heard producers talk before about slow sound guys, so I don't want to be added to that list. If you plan to rig a bag I would highly recmd. powering it all with a BDS. JMHO.
A.G
 
My PSC M4 mkII mixer'll run all day on a single NP-1 as well. My fostex FR-2 is quite a bit more battery hungry, but I'll still only have to change NP-1's in it once halfway through the day (the guys over at Trew hooked me up with an adapter cuff). Without those NP-1's, I'd still be changing its 8 AAs three or four times a day (which is a real hassle).

The best part is that now that all the old BetaCAM shooters have upgraded to DigiBetas and the like, they're getting rid of all their old NP-1 smartchargers. I was able to swap a couple custom cables for a used 4-bay charger.
 
Well I'll give the Ultra Digitals a try next week and see how they fare. Then I'll likely decide whether to upgrade power now or in the fall.
 
external laptop or dvd batteries 80 w are cheaperr then np-1 and already comes with charger - around 100us or so
 
I'm with SMuir. I picked up a used IDX charger and a couple of NiMH NP-1 really cheap cause the charger would not do Li Ion. Easily powers my 302 for an 18 hour day and the recharge time is quick.
-Dan
 
http://www.batterygeek.net/Portable_DVD_Player_Battery_p/10-14-88_batterygeek.htm

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2741

the most stupid thing is to buy these days ni metal batteries
they weight more per wat , you need to recharge them as the loosing capacity , you need to buy external chrger
they loosing allot more in cold weather condition .
these are 2 examples for 60 or 88 wat , you can find allot more which can drive any bag system , i found 113 wat for 150 usd , weight under 1 kg
thats equal to 3 np-1 nimh in exellnt shape and its half the weight .
 
Yeah, you're right, Oleg. I don't do bag work so I'm not as concerned about the weight aspect. Li-Ion is definitely the way to go weight-wise. Those battery geek packs look very interesting. One of those would be perfect for my digital recorder. Thanks, Dan
 
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