GH3 GH3 Power: Specs, Tests, DIY

keylight

keylight

Veteran
For those using a GH2, the GH2 Power - specs, tests, DIY is here

Got the new GH3 yesterday. Wow! Got the DMW-DCC12 coupler a few minutes ago. This is the coupler you need to power the camera using the DWM-AC8 AC adapter.

Of course, as with the GH2, I wanted to see if I could also power the camera using an external battery. My battery of choice is the Tekkeon MP3450i R2.

Dare I try it with my brand new GH3?! Here it is, straight from the box, to my camera, to your screens.... Fingers crossed!


The setting I used on the Tekkeon for this test was 9V, same as is required for the GH2. After shooting the video I wondered if 8.4V would work (which is what the coupler says it puts out). On the GH2 the 8.4V would report an error and shut off. In my very quick test today, the GH3 remained on and functional at 8.4V.

I definitely encourage you to check out the old thread on the GH2. Tons of great info by a lot of people. The first post in the thread contains links to the key pieces of info, but the whole thread is worth looking over.

EDIT: Upate - I forgot to post this previously, but eventually the camera will report that it can't use the battery when it's set to the 8.4V setting. With the battery set to 9V, I've been able to shoot for an entire day with no problem.
 
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You need a tip that has these dimensions: 4.7mm (OD) x 1.7mm (ID) x 10mm (L)

This is the one I use with my Tekkon:

tekkeon-tip.jpg
 
@Spartacus
I bought one of these universal laptop adaptors that goes down to 9v... which i could use as a continuous power-source with my GH2.
Anyhow, the other "side" benefit, is it came with these step up/down ends. This small collection of ends is great for all sorts or plugs that never seemed to match. Maybe a small $10 investment for the adaptor, or if you can find just a collection of "ends" they are super handy.

http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-charger-universal-adapter-notebook/dp/B00849BPFI/ref=pd_sim_pc_2
http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-adapter-universal-cigarette-notebook/dp/B008OPWDVM/ref=pd_sim_e_3

This isnt the one i bought... but its similar, and clearly illustrates the various "ends".
 
Question for you guys:

I found this online at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._SON_NP_F970_Power_Plate_Battery_Adapter.html

And then I found this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._V_BR5_SL_BRACKET_BATTERY_MOUNT_FOR_SONY.html

Could the Marshall adapter do the same thing as the Dolgin adapter and power a GH2 using an external battery?

If so, obviously, it would save money. But I think the Marshall has a 1/4-20 thread that would accommodate a mounting option that the Dolgin doesn't have making it even
more attractive.

Hoping you experts can answer this one.
 
Ripper70 said:
Question for you guys:

I found this online at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._SON_NP_F970_Power_Plate_Battery_Adapter.html

And then I found this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._V_BR5_SL_BRACKET_BATTERY_MOUNT_FOR_SONY.html

Could the Marshall adapter do the same thing as the Dolgin adapter and power a GH2 using an external battery?

If so, obviously, it would save money. But I think the Marshall has a 1/4-20 thread that would accommodate a mounting option that the Dolgin doesn't have making it even
more attractive.

Hoping you experts can answer this one.
Click to expand...

Neither will work if the output voltage is 7.2V, which is what the Sony batteries put out using these adapters. If you check out the old GH2 Power - specs, tests, DIY thread you'll see that you need about 9V out for the GH2 - the GH2 at 8.4V and below would report an error and shut off. The GH3 did work at 8.4V for the few seconds I tried it, but I haven't done a full test. Maybe I can try that this weekend.
 
keylight said:
Neither will work if the output voltage is 7.2V...
Click to expand...

Really? It's not that I doubt your expertise but Dolgin and B&H are selling this thing specifically to GH2 users.

Here's the Dolgin link:

https://dolgin.net/zen_dolgin/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=99

As someone who knows bupkis about this kind of stuff, I thought that the Panny coupler (DMW-DCC8GU) took care of the difference, or rather tricked the camera into thinking it had a proper battery installed. So the Dolgin thing cant work?
 
daihard said:
@Spartacus
I bought one of these universal laptop adaptors that goes down to 9v... which i could use as a continuous power-source with my GH2.
Anyhow, the other "side" benefit, is it came with these step up/down ends. This small collection of ends is great for all sorts or plugs that never seemed to match. Maybe a small $10 investment for the adaptor, or if you can find just a collection of "ends" they are super handy.

http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-charger-universal-adapter-notebook/dp/B00849BPFI/ref=pd_sim_pc_2
http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-adapter-universal-cigarette-notebook/dp/B008OPWDVM/ref=pd_sim_e_3

This isnt the one i bought... but its similar, and clearly illustrates the various "ends".
Click to expand...

Will look into this too, thanks!
 
Ripper70 said:
Really? It's not that I doubt your expertise but Dolgin and B&H are selling this thing specifically to GH2 users.

Here's the Dolgin link:

https://dolgin.net/zen_dolgin/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=99

As someone who knows bupkis about this kind of stuff, I thought that the Panny coupler (DMW-DCC8GU) took care of the difference, or rather tricked the camera into thinking it had a proper battery installed. So the Dolgin thing cant work?
Click to expand...

ALWAYS doubt what you read on the internets! I'm wrong! The Dolgin will probably work for both GH2 & GH3, but I'd double-check with them about the GH3. The other item I don't think will work. I didn't look closely enough. Looks likethe Dolgin is using a standard 7.2V battery but are supplying a higher voltage to the GH2. The other one is an accessory to a monitor that takes 5V input, so that is probably the output that it provides.
 
Thanks Keylight for linking the Tekkeon adapter piece, just ordered two of them. Had the power adapter for other reasons.

The Dolgin piece uses a Voltage upconverter which will bring it to the correct voltage. I haven't used it personally, but the members on PV were able to purchase pieces individually on ebay including the charger for the Sony battery and use it as the mounting block rewired to power the Gh2.
 
I have a Lanparte rig with V-mount battery and plate. I also have the DMW-DCC12 for my GH3.
The output from the plate is 8.2V~8.4V.
When I connect everything together I got this message on the GH3: "this battery cannot be used".

The output from the original battery when fully charged is 8.3V and drops to 7.6V and lower after using the camera.

Do I need more power, around 9V, to power the GH3 or will this blow-up the GH3?
 
I cannot comment about the GH3, however my GH2 takes 9v comfortably. It could also be an issue of amps too though. I think my camera does 8.4v too, but you need a good 1.5-2 mAh.
 
Thanks for your reply's!
The Rig plate has also 12V and 15V output.

I will try it with a step down converter and set the output to 9V.

Let you know how it works.
 
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