Custom Battery Plate with variable voltages

connectivitygroup

Well-known member
I have made battery plates with multiple voltage outputs before but I wanted to make a much smaller one that would be more compact and use V-mount instead of AB.

So this is what I came up with.

I manually machined, assembled and wired it. It has 3 unregulated lemo outs for powering our Kipro Mini, EVF/monitor and other stuff. A 7.2 VDC out for powering our current camera (voltage can be adjusted), and a 5 VDC out for USB and smaller devices (iphone charger
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It can be used stand alone or I can mount the Ki pro mini right to it.
I need to test and see how long it will power our complete rig but I have had the Ki pro running on it for 5 hours and the battery is only down 2 bars (red brick) so I think it should give me at least 2-3hrs with our full rig.
I don't think I can power an epic off of it (IDX plate is not rated for that) but I may look into possibly upgrading it down the road.

So just thought I would share it with folks. It's always nice to see a project from start to finish and do it all with your own two hands.

Rough Cut
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Almost Done Machining
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Finishing up the Wiring
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Top three are unregulated, bottom is the camera power (currently 7.2 VDC)
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Power switch and LED, 5 VDC for smaller converters and USB devices.
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Old (left) versus new (right)
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Powering camera and Ki pro mini
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Power side.
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Thanks for looking :)
 
I like a bit of nice engineering and fabricating. Especially when it has electrix involved.

Well done.

What are you going to do with it next? eg. produce and sell them?

BTW - how are you getting power from the device in to the AF100?
 
Thanks for all the compliments.

No I am not really considering selling them, they would be really expensive and I doubt many people would buy them. The connectors alone are like $100. The biggest reason though is that I don't want some body plugging something in to the wrong voltage and suing me for their messed up gear.

I suppose I could do individual pieces for people and have them sign a waiver but I just dont know if it's worth it. I would have to charge like $600 and I have a feeling that similar items will be coming out from other well known companies.

To power the camera I am using this: https://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=4338

I just cut off the end put some expandable tubing on and soldiered on the lemo connector.

As for anodizing I do not have anything right now but I have seen DIY home kits that I may look into getting.
 
Thanks for all the compliments.


As for anodizing I do not have anything right now but I have seen DIY home kits that I may look into getting.

Powder coating kits are quite reasonable and much less toxic than anodizing. http://www.caswellplating.com/powder/
They produce a nice fairly rugged surface and it is pretty easy to do, you need the kit and a toaster owen.

I have found that anodized finishes are better than "hobby kit" powder coating.
I use a service in Maine to anodize, it typically costs $75 for a single item the size of your plate. Not too bad really. If you have lots of them to do the price drops to much less. It is the initial setup that costs a lot. They even pick up and drop of for free twice a week. Or you can UPS.

I can send you contact info for my anodizer if you contact me. I am sure there are anodizers in your area as well.

Very nice job on the plate.
 
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