Battery to Power My Rebel & Marshall Monitor

ShamrockFilms

ShamrockFilms

Well-known member
I need a rig mounted battery to power my Canon Rebel T2i and 7" Marshall monitor (and if possible my Zoom H4N audio recorder) for at least 3 hours before switching out to a backup battery. What would you recommend? I looked all over B and H and here on DVXuser, but I'm turning up nothing. Thank you. Happy Saint Patrick's Day. :Drogar-Happy(DBG):
 
The Canon still cameras don't have the video-industry power hookups (like an XLR power jack) so it's tough to power them externally. I don't think the T2i even has a DC-in jack (my D90 does but I don't recall seing one on the Canon).

I recall Jag35 selling an adapter plate that you stuck in the battery bay to externally power the camera - but I'm thinking it used the jag batteries? Poke around & see.

The only way I could find to address this was to take an angle grinder and cut off a corner of my DSLR baseplate - so I can swap batteries without taking the rig apart. Swapping batteries is pretty quick now, and with the shot-time limit, there's always a minute where you **have** to stop shooting and the battery meter is low. But I find the T2i batteries really do last.

EDIT: There is this AC adapter setup, looks like a battery-sized block goes in the bay and a power cord plugs in to it - could be a solution there, a matter of finding the correct voltage/amps battery and adapting a cable?
 
Thanks for this info. I have 3 batteries for the T2i, so maybe I can just buy 3 more and I'll be okay for a 8 hour shoot. Taking the camera off the rig to change the battery is what I was trying to avoid having to do and also dismantling follow focus. I'd rather not cut into the T2i because I'd like to sell after the shoot and do my next film on the 5D. How about powering my LCD? Can you recommend a battery pack for that? I must be searching the wrong key words on both B and H and here.
 
ShamrockFilms said:
How about powering my LCD? Can you recommend a battery pack for that?
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I've purchased a PEAK PKCOBK portable battery system.
Search Amazon for "PKCOBK". $117.95. I use it not to
start cars, although I've used it for that several
times, but as an all around 115VAC/USB/+12vdc power
source. Most 22in and below LCD monitors consume
under 35 watts and the PKCOBK can put that out for
hours on end before needing a recharge.

These things don't put out a perfect 115vac 60Hz so
some power supplies in some equipment may operate
strangely. I would expect that an LCD display may
exhibit some on screen artifacts. In that case you'd
need another device called a 115AC to 115AC isolation
transformer. They're pretty commonly found at
electrical supply houses.

The PKCOBK also features a tire inflater.

FWIW I drive a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. On the
dashboard it features a 115VAC output about
150W. But, the key has to be in the ACC or On
position to activate that.
 
The T2i can take an external AC supply - it's an accessory that doesn't come with the camera.

I've seen a few Portable Power Supplies that are basically a lead-acid car battery + inverter. I'm not sure that they'll last 3 hrs.

You might be able to make do with a 2000VA Uninterruptable Power Supply - most of them let you start up cold and turn off the alarms.
 
I need a rig mounted battery to power my Canon Rebel T2i and 7" Marshall monitor (and if possible my Zoom H4N audio recorder) for at least 3 hours before switching out to a backup battery. What would you recommend? I looked all over B and H and here on DVXuser, but I'm turning up nothing. Thank you. Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
Drogar-Happy%28DBG%29.gif
Click to expand...

For all three at once on a shoulder rig? That would probably be a heafty size battery. Does that exist for what you're asking?
 
http://www.amazon.com/ACK-E8-Adapte...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300392839&sr=1-1-catcorr

You could use an AC adapter like that and then get a cable that is the same pin as the one that goes into that dummy battery. Im sure you could find a matching tip at Radioshack. Then you just need to wire it into a batty thats putting out 7.2v to match the cameras battery charge.

The marshall monitor is a different story, it most likely needs 12v (check on that before you go plugging in random battries to it) but they do make adapters for it just check out the marshall website.

The h4n needs 5v so again your looking at another battery there, or adding some attenuation between your 7 or 12v battery and the zoom.


You could always just add a battery grip to your camera. doubles your shooting time between battery changes and allows you to change the batteries through the side of the camera rather than the bottom so you can leave your rig
 
ShamrockFilms said:
Thanks for this info. I have 3 batteries for the T2i, so maybe I can just buy 3 more and I'll be okay for a 8 hour shoot...I'd rather not cut into the T2i because I'd like to sell after the shoot and do my next film on the 5D.
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No no NO.... I cut into my BASEPLATE, not my camera. Chopped off a corner and now the battery door drops open perfectly, no touching the FF or anything else.

Many many users here (myself included) report that aftermarket cheap batteries are great. No issues, get a handful.

You knew the "add a battery grip" comments were coming; I hate 'em for video though. Everything in this biz is designed for horizontal form-factor cameras, and a grip just makes the DSLR even more vertical. Seems to be guys that go no-rails/FF/mattebox that like 'em, but it's already hard to align rail system stuff to a DSLR and would you add a grip to a stablizer rig? Just my .02, and of course they're awesome for stills.
 
It's just a power supply, so you don't have to focus exclusively on DVXUser and photo/video outlets.

I power my monitor from a sealed lead acid battery. They are cheap from Maplin (RadioShack in the US?) or eBay. The Marshall consumes about 12 watts, or 1 amp @ 12v. This is the maximum. I practice it may be as low as half that, depending on what you are shooting.

Therefore a 3Ah ish battery would suit your needs. Here are the specs from Maplin's version.

12V 3.3Ah 134 x 67 x 60mm 1.3kg

You'll probably want to pick up the special 12V charger for these, and you'll need some 12v power cable, some electrical tape and a few male and female barrel connectors (take your monitor along to find the right barrel connector for your power input) . I say a few because I recommend attaching a female one to the battery. I have mine mounted on my shoulder mount where it makes up some of the weight for counter-balancing. Total cost for me including charger and connectors was about £40, and I went for the 4.2Ah battery. I'm sure you can do this for around $60 or less.

As has been mentioned already, 3rd party batteries are good. Even better might be a 3rd party battery grip which takes AA batteries, this way you can invest in high capacity NimH AA's which are even cheaper.
 
Michael Carter said:
You knew the "add a battery grip" comments were coming; I hate 'em for video though. Everything in this biz is designed for horizontal form-factor cameras, and a grip just makes the DSLR even more vertical. Seems to be guys that go no-rails/FF/mattebox that like 'em, but it's already hard to align rail system stuff to a DSLR and would you add a grip to a stablizer rig? Just my .02, and of course they're awesome for stills.
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I can totally see where you are coming from with the battery grip problems. They kinda hinder an already challenging form factor


The other thing i was thinking is a battery like this

http://jag35.com/new/products/jag-battery/

Not the cheapest solution out there but they have step down cables that may be your solution once you provide your own 12v battery.

Take a look at the related products.
 
Tekkeon battery unit with a DC battery coupler.

We have a Battery snap kit that is included free with the battery unit (either single battery or the double battery)

Amazon has the DC coupler here;

http://www.amazon.com/HQRP-Adapter-...DOGAP0&s=merchant-items&qid=1300473768&sr=1-1

The tekkeon comes with a bunch of ends that fit all manner of connectors and its voltage variable. Plus it has a USB out as well.

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/Tekkeon_Battery_Mount_p/092_mp3450i%20-%2092.htm

Thanks,

steve
 
I believe the Jag Battery is exactly what you are looking for. It's meant for doing exactly what you would mean it to do, and wouldn't have to be re-appropriated for that use, while having been originally meant for cars or something. No offense to the people who are smart enough to re-appropriate, I just prefer the cleaner design. It is much a much more efficient option too since you wouldn't have to include the big wonky AC adapter in the mix. There is only one hang up though, they only make a power adapter for the LP-E6 and of course your T2i uses the LP-E8. I already posted a message asking if they have any plans to make one for the LP-E8, no response yet. Anyway, it WOULD work perfectly with your Marshall and even your H4n as you can see here: http://vimeo.com/18064712

CPM Film Tools said:
Tekkeon battery unit with a DC battery coupler.

We have a Battery snap kit that is included free with the battery unit (either single battery or the double battery)

Amazon has the DC coupler here;

http://www.amazon.com/HQRP-Adapter-...DOGAP0&s=merchant-items&qid=1300473768&sr=1-1

The tekkeon comes with a bunch of ends that fit all manner of connectors and its voltage variable. Plus it has a USB out as well.

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/Tekkeon_Battery_Mount_p/092_mp3450i - 92.htm
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IMO this is going in the right direction but needs to include something like jag35's LP-E6 adapter cable that could attach directly. Having to use an AC adapter is just too wonky IMO, not to mention the fact that I've heard bad things about the generic ones like the one mentioned in your post.

Edit: Just found out about this: http://www.switronix.com/products/b...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=120&category_id=39 from Switronix. It is a battery very similar to the one made by jag35 but is specifically made to work with the T2i. They make one that will fit with the LP-E6 battery compartment as well. As far as I know these are the only guys making a battery and adapter that works with the LP-E8 battery compartment though. Good job Switronix!
 
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