DIY: AA battery pack for GH2

[teuron]

unfortunately panasonic does not make a vertical grip/battery pack for the gh series.

i am looking for a solution for the situation where i will be away from any source of electricity and cannot charge batteries for a extended period of time (example: jungle for couple of weeks)

i will be doing extensive nature video shooting and cannot afford to buy 50 propriety batteries.

i would like to build a DYI grip/battery pack for this purpose and was wondering if anyone could advise as to what i would need for such a project

 

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

You might get a Panasonic DMW-DCC8 ("battery eliminator" block for GH2):
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh2/optional_accessories.html

... and connect it to a ~7.2 VDC source.

YMMV.

 

[Matthew P]

I'm very unimpressed that Panasonic makes people by a 'DC coupler', just to connect it to the mains.

Anyway, if you got one of those, you should in theory be able to attach any 7.2V power source (as Peter said). So, seeing as you're wanting to use AA batteries, you could just make yourself a holder for either 6 rechargeable AA batteries (as these are 1.2v, as opposed to 1.5v), or 5 non rechargeable batteries. http://www.rapidonline.com/Electric...w/18-2915?source=googleps&utm_source=googleps

You could stick a 1x holder, or a 2x holder (depending on if you wanted to use rechargeables or not) to a 4x holder. Of course, if you wanted this thing to last for ages without swapping the batteries, you could always stack a few back to back and connect them in parallel (so as to not alter the voltage).

Hope this helps.

 

[biginvegas]

I read somewhere about an AA solar battery charger that might work. The charge is slow but will work.
Also been thinking of that eventuality. Will get back to you.

http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/pf_powerfilm-usb-aa.php

 

[freeheels]

Try this http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256
I used one in the winter in S Siberia for a month. As long as there is sun it works great

 

[loyola00x]

i also interest to make the AA battery holder for GH1 instead of the orginal battery when go out.
refer the orginal battery charger. it has two output.
one for battery charge, it is output 7.4V .
one for direct connect to camera, it is output 9.3V.

when everything done, it should be group of AA battery for attach to camera.

still under planning, is your DIY finish yet ?

 

[guyburns]

The GH2 via the DCC8 requires at least 8.4 volts. See this thread: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?245907-GH2-Power-specs-tests-DIY