Better battery solution for Odyssey 7Q+

B

Brad12d3

Member
So I have had some unfortunate growing pains with my FS700 and Odyssey 7Q+. Although I did a good deal of testing before taking my set up on a paid shoot, there was one issue I never encountered during my test. The problems that occur when there is low voltage.

I have this habit when I'm doing test shoots of switching out batteries more often than I need to. So I never encountered the issues that can occur on the Odyssey when one of my Sony batteries gets low. Once it gets low, there is a risk of recordings cutting off unexpectedly and clips getting corrupted.. and eventually the odyssey just won't let you record at all.

I ran into these issues on a paid shoot and in the heat of the moment it never occurred to me that it was a low voltage problem. When I did try switching out the battery, the PA accidentally brought me another low battery. It wasn't until later that I discovered that it was a voltage issue. Now I know that my Sony batteries provide somewhere around 7.8 volts when they are fresh. After about an hour the voltage drops to 6.8 and below... that's when problems start to occur.

So I need a better battery solution. I would like to find something that doesn't add to much weight though. Any suggestions?
 
If you don't want to use large battery bricks, you could use the Sony U-series batteries. These are the ones made for cameras such as the EX1, EX3, FS5 and FS7 (among many others). These batteries are 14.4v bricks rather than 7.2v. Even though they come in similar size and amperage as the batteries you are used to, the higher voltage means that the Odyssey7Q+ can get much greater run time out of them. The Odyssey7Q+ low voltage cutoff is 6.5v. A 7.2v battery may use 70% of its available power before dropping to this point, meaning that there's a good amount of potential left but the Odyssey cannot utilize it. A 14.4v battery will effectively discharge perhaps 95% of its power before the voltage will dramatically drop enough that Odyssey will no longer run.
 
I
bought one of those Indipro DTAP (from V-mount) to Sony L (NP-F970) for FS700 - it is about $70 at BH

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1151655-REG/indipro_tools_pts74_p_tap_to_sony_l.html

I don't trust Sony NP-F970 battery - bought 2, and one, the FS700 couldn't recognize less than one year !!
the V-mount battery brick, is just great !! just make sure you buy a decent charger for it.

On my rig - the V-mount battery is mount to a Lanparte V-mount plate, it has dtap, 12v, etc - one of the dtap port
is going to the Odyssey, the other (on the battery) going to the FS700 battery adapter. Just keep the Indipro in the
camera, no need to remove.
 
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Mitch Gross said:
If you don't want to use large battery bricks, you could use the Sony U-series batteries. These are the ones made for cameras such as the EX1, EX3, FS5 and FS7 (among many others). These batteries are 14.4v bricks rather than 7.2v. Even though they come in similar size and amperage as the batteries you are used to, the higher voltage means that the Odyssey7Q+ can get much greater run time out of them. The Odyssey7Q+ low voltage cutoff is 6.5v. A 7.2v battery may use 70% of its available power before dropping to this point, meaning that there's a good amount of potential left but the Odyssey cannot utilize it. A 14.4v battery will effectively discharge perhaps 95% of its power before the voltage will dramatically drop enough that Odyssey will no longer run.
Click to expand...

This battery can go right into the camera like the standard one the camera comes with? and I'm hoping/assuming the same with my battery plate for the 7Q?

I actually had this exact issue along with a couple of other ones yesterday on a shoot. Felt kind of embarrassed!
 
fatman said:
This battery can go right into the camera like the standard one the camera comes with? and I'm hoping/assuming the same with my battery plate for the 7Q?

I actually had this exact issue along with a couple of other ones yesterday on a shoot. Felt kind of embarrassed!
Click to expand...

The FS700 uses old "L" series batteries. The "U" series are newer and much higher voltage and will not fit into the FS700. However, the U series batteries can be used to power the O7Q+ but it will need the proper U battery plate, not the old L style. Hope that helps.
 
Who makes a proper U battery plate for the 7Q?

Nevermind - should haved used my friend GOOGLE before posting : )
 
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