FS-100 and External Power

N

nsoltz

Veteran
Has anyone been successful using any kind of external power source with the FS-100? I just ran across the Tekkeon MP3400, which is a lithium polymer external battery pack that is advertised to power virtually any device up to 19 volts. It comes with several different plugs for different devices. Theoretically, this should deliver enough voltage and amperage to run the Firestore. I PM'd Matt from Focus a few days ago, but haven't heard anything. Would definitely be intriguing if we could find some kind of external means of powering the Firestore.

Ned Soltz
 
I can't find a PM to me from you, was it on this forum?...oh well.

You can power an FS-100 from an external DC source as long as it is greater than about 14V if you want to charge the FS-100's own battery at the same time. But, it will run OK off 12V, except the FS-100 battery will not be charging at the same time. FS-100 power draw is 7.5W.

Also, Anton/Bauer, IDX and PAG all make adapters for external power of FS-100.

Hope that helps,

Matt
 
Thanks, Matt!

I did PM you in this forum but who knows what happened to it...

I do appreciate the response and the clarification. Now all I need you to do is walk over to Monica and tell her to hurry up and ship my FS-100 since I have returned my loaner unit to Panasonic ;)

Much appreciated...

Ned
 
Matthew McEwen said:
I can't find a PM to me from you, was it on this forum?...oh well.

You can power an FS-100 from an external DC source as long as it is greater than about 14V if you want to charge the FS-100's own battery at the same time. But, it will run OK off 12V, except the FS-100 battery will not be charging at the same time. FS-100 power draw is 7.5W.

Also, Anton/Bauer, IDX and PAG all make adapters for external power of FS-100.


Hope that helps,

Matt
Click to expand...

...hey Matt,....I just bought this from B&H...looks like it would do the trick?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...w=SWPTFS12&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=438831
 
I've used a battery originally meant to power a bicycle light. They put it in a water bottle! Looks strange, but it works great. It actually charges the battery as it's running. I'm pretty sure the price was less than $50.
 
Sumfun said:
I've used a battery originally meant to power a bicycle light. They put it in a water bottle! Looks strange, but it works great. It actually charges the battery as it's running. I'm pretty sure the price was less than $50.
Click to expand...

I would think the potassium-hydroxide would put a damper on your endurance. I mean, I've heard of replacing electrolytes...but...:huh:
 
One more quick one for you Matt (until I get my permanent FS-100 and see for myself)-- what is the power connector on the FS-100? I seem to remember it was a mini-plug but wanted to confirm that. I think the Tekkeon MP3400 would be a terrific power solution and I wanted to verify that they would have the tip that fits the FS-100.

Thanks

Ned
 
Ned, Try the Power Bag Jr. it is made for the Firestores and will power an FS 100 for 7 hours ( i have been using one for months at it works great!). You can read more about it see my interview in this months Studio Monthly. The article is called DVCPRO Down Deep and is online as well. The Power bag also runs all kinds of other devices wit adapters available Radio Shack . Good Luck Stuart Cummings Watermark Productions
 
Great article, Stuart. I would have loved to have written about your project as well for Videography, but seems that Don Berube beat me to the punch (those Berube brothers are everywhere). It is an interesting looking little bag and battery. I'm still more interested in trying to get the Tekkeon to work since it is so compact and basically could fit in the larger Jimmybox or on my DVRig back plate. Since the Tekkeon is basically a high-end consumer item, I'm having a hard time clarifying which tips come with it and which tips are available. I suppose I could always have someone make a custom cable. But, great article and terrific work with the HVX.

Ned
 
Ned,

I checked with production engineering and the FS-100 power plug is a 2.5mm centerpin DC plug. The outside diameter is 5.5mm. Hope that helps.

Matt
 
I just received my tekkeon from tigerdirect. The instructions that came with it indicate that you can change the polarity of the plug adapters, however, unless I'm missing something, each adapter can attach to the tekkeon cable in only one position.

I'm hoping that this position is center pin positive and that the FS100 takes a center pin positive supply?

Any help on this one?

Thanks in advance
 
I just tried each of the adapters with Tekkeon until I found one that fit. I then connected it to the Tekkeon cable, plugged it into the FS-100 and it has been running like a charm.

Ned
 
nsoltz said:
I just tried each of the adapters with Tekkeon until I found one that fit. I then connected it to the Tekkeon cable, plugged it into the FS-100 and it has been running like a charm.

Ned
Click to expand...

Adapter size isn't my concern, polarity is. I'm betting that the FS is center pin positive (as most us electronis are) and I'm betting that the only way the Tekkeon adapters attach to the cable is with center pin positive.

The Tekkeon manual shows instructions on how to set the polarity of the adapters plugs by inserting them specifically onto the cable. However, the actual adapters that I received are notched on the inside, thus allowing only one way of attaching them to the cable (ie you can't flip it over and stick it on). This is probably a better thing, since you wouldn't want to have your polarity reversed my mistakingly attach the plugs in the wrong way.

No worries though, I check my plugs and the only way they attach is center pin positive. I think the Tekkeon manual is incorrect.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but thanks for turning me onto this great product Ned!

:thumbup:
 
Of course I jujst realized I ordered and received the MP330 instead of the MP3400! Doh! My bad.

FYI:

Weighs just 11.8 oz (MP3300) and 15.9 oz (MP3400)

Output power 40 Wh (MP3300) / 56Wh (MP3400)


So I still hope I get pretty good runtime w/ the 40Wh model.
 
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