GH2 DIY DMW-DCC8 (DC adapter)

[g.l]

A question: Does anyone know what a "safe" range is for volts and amps? I'm reading here and in other threads that, with the adapter, 7.2v is not enough, 8.4v will work, 9.6 v is OK....and what about amps (particularly with AC adapters)? The reason I ask is that I have a couple of AC adapters that might work, but I don't want to mess anything up or fry something if they are unsuitable.

With amps you can't have too many (except the adapters will costs more and are usually bulkier), just too little - a device will only use whatever it needs. According to the GH2 manual, the most a GH2 will draw with the larger zoom lens (and I'm assuming OIS enabled) is 3.4 W, which (assuming 8.4V) is around 405ma, or ~0.4A. So 0.5A should work, but a bit higher is safer (see below).

The important thing is the voltage - too much will fry it, too little and it won't work at all, or give the 'can't use the battery' warning. Some people have said 8.4V isn't enough, I haven't been able to test that here yet - but if true, 9V is probably good (& easy to find). 9.3V worked for me (short test).

So unless somebody knows different, I'd recommend a standard regulated 9V/1A adapter (peanuts on Ebay).

I wouldn't be surprised if Panny only calls it 8.4V so that people think they have to buy their adapter.

 

[Jon Forsyth]

Thanks, g.l! Very helpful.

 

[keylight]

Here's a test I did with an 8.4v rv car battery. Rated at 8.4 but actually higher. It worked for 8 hours and died when it hit 8.37v. Watch the video and you'll see a safe operating range.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?245497-8.4v-Battery-test-results-(timelapse)

 

[g.l]

Excellent, so I think 9V is ideal for an AC adapter.

 

[Jon Forsyth]

Here's a test I did with an 8.4v rv car battery. Rated at 8.4 but actually higher. It worked for 8 hours and died when it hit 8.37v. Watch the video and you'll see a safe operating range.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?245497-8.4v-Battery-test-results-(timelapse)

Thanks, keylight. I had watched your video, but didn't think to actually pay attention to the voltage readings. I was too fascinated by the moving clock hands, I guess. :\

 

[keylight]

I actually own the Panasonic Adapter. I've just taken a shot of it and scanned the manual. I'm posting those, along with links to all of the power discussions, into a new thread, with the hope that it'll be a good starting point for others in the future.

Edit: Here's the link: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?245907-GH2-Power-specs-tests-DIY Unfortunately, the site is rejecting the pdf I made of the manual.... Not that there's a ton of information in it of course.

 

[tyampel]

I actually own the Panasonic Adapter. I've just taken a shot of it and scanned the manual. I'm posting those, along with links to all of the power discussions, into a new thread, with the hope that it'll be a good starting point for others in the future.

Edit: Here's the link: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?245907-GH2-Power-specs-tests-DIY Unfortunately, the site is rejecting the pdf I made of the manual.... Not that there's a ton of information in it of course.

Thanks for posting the picture of the adapter. It is interesting to note that it differs from the one for GH1. On the GH1 it says:

INPUT/ENTREE:

110v - 240v ~ 50/60 Hz 0.3A

OUTPUT/SORTIE:

9.3V = 1.2A (DIGITAL CAMERA/APPAREIL PHOTO NUMERIQUE)

8.4V = 0.65A (CHARGE).

Perhaps the ommission is deliberate to confuse the DIY people as I don't think the cameras differ in that regard.

 

[keylight]

Thanks for posting the picture of the adapter. It is interesting to note that it differs from the one for GH1. On the GH1 it says:

INPUT/ENTREE:

110v - 240v ~ 50/60 Hz 0.3A

OUTPUT/SORTIE:

9.3V = 1.2A (DIGITAL CAMERA/APPAREIL PHOTO NUMERIQUE)

8.4V = 0.65A (CHARGE).

Perhaps the ommission is deliberate to confuse the DIY people as I don't think the cameras differ in that regard.

Tyampel, I'm copying your post over on the other thread. Very useful, and you're not alone in think that Panasonic may be engaged in a bit of obfuscation....

 

[deckard97]

Success

Success

Thanks for the tips guys, successfully made my DMW-DCC8 yesterday and it worked flawlessly for a 2 hour shoot using a switching 9V 2200mA PSU.

 

[g.l]

Just got reminded about this thread, so a quick update on my Polymorph couplers: they've been working solidly ever since (in two bodies), not a single problem.