IDX batteries and Sony camera power supply/charger

Grant Peacock

Grant Peacock

Active member
I own multiple AC-DN10 Sony camera power supply/chargers. They have been excellent in V-Mount applications. I also like IDX batteries, and have had perfect results with the DUO-150 (146Wh) batteries, which I think I bought around 2019. Particularly beneficial is that even a high-demand camera (circa 44 watts) can be returned to the tripod/avail AC, and the Sony power unit will simultaneously handle start up on camera, and then settle into recharging the battery.

I just invested in a set of IDX DUO C-98 (96Wh) batteries - these more modern ones have additional features, such as 'advanced D-Tap'. They appear to be incompatible with the Sony AC-DN10. After a few hours of testing, it appears that they will not be able to be recharged from this V-Mount power source. Does anyone have insights? So far, my interaction with IDX staff only goes as far as telling me that certain brands of this and that will have communication issues. Nothing specific that gives me a go/no-go to pursue. I am seeing a different set of behaviours from the 2 LED's, lacking the characteristic red glow from one of them to tell you that battery charging is in progress.

I hope everyone has had a great week.
 
Yes, I don't know what IDX is doing as this observation of yours is not an isolated case. IDX's range of BPU batteries like the SB-U98 93Wh 14.4V / 6.4Ah Lithium-ion battery comes with a warning note that states: * May not be compatible with all Sony chargers". I don't own any of their BP-U batteries but colleagues do and are bemoaning the fact that they have had to buy IDX VL-DT1 chargers as none of their single or dual Sony BPU charger/power supplies work. Those batteries also have two D-Tap ports. One of them is called a "D-Tap Advanced port" and is the only one that can be used for charging if charging via D-Tap. So it looks like IDX are doing something a bit proprietary with their current generation of batteries which is not compatible with Sony's chargers.

Chris Young
 
Thank you Chris. You are illuminating one of the reasons that I got out of Anton Bauer power systems back in the days of BetaSP cameras. Working alongside other crews, and occasionally hoping to help each other out, we'd run right into proprietary issues. Ron Rathbone (Rathbone Energy Systems, long since retired I would expect) once explained to me how he'd found chips in AnB batteries to make sure they would not charge on other systems, if I recall accurately. That's a business choice, but my response is to work around it if I can. Up until now, IDX appears to be a brand NOT using junk internal cells, and providing agnostic communications with other chargers.

I've returned my order of DUO C-98 batteries and VLT charger. By the way, that (D-Tap) style charger appeared to be useless for my needs. I left one of these small batteries on it for HOURS in pursuit of a full charge... was still trying for that when I packed everything up for shipping. I envisage a compact charger like this for deployment in a hotel room overnight (unexpected travel and away from main charger) or during the day while an event is underway. I suspect that the camera might be running batteries down faster than this charger is restoring them. Back it all goes. I will add some more DUO-150's, hopefully going to the last-to-current version, and still being able to work with Sony camera power/V-Mount charger unit.
 
A quick update - first, the last bit of dialogue with IDX staffer from this week : "I am not familiar with how the Sony unit works. The (DUO C-98) battery just accepts a charge. The charger is more complicated. You may ask Sony. I wish I could help you, but I cannot. I am really sorry. The best solution is to get an IDX charger and use that for the batteries."

Uh-huh.

Apparently I am not going to be able to order the prior gen of DUO-150's. Adorama has a single (broken) unit in it's Used Dept only.

I think I will be okay with Batteries4Broadcast. I have several of their style of batteries in my operational mix, and I've had no compatibility issues. (there seems to be a common shell in circulation for LiON batteries, and I would guess that the assemblers go out an choose the component cells and circuitry of their choosing). I will do an idiot check with them that their batteries continue to be compatible with other chargers. Don at IDX may be right - it could be that the issue I am experiencing is with the Sony charger. But my evidence suggests otherwise, owing to the fact that I only have one battery, from one manufacturer, that doesn't appear to accept charge in this situation. This is more likely a result of strategic (biz) decisions...
 
cyvideo said:
Yes, So it looks like IDX are doing something a bit proprietary with their current generation of batteries which is not compatible with Sony's chargers.
Click to expand...

Irt could be the other way around. The Charger is interrogating the battery and won't work with non Sony batteries. These batteries and chargers are quite complex systems containing microprocessors and software. If one or the other uses a different protocol they it may not work. Sony may use V1.3 of a protocol and the IDX 1.4 and implemented something the Sony charger does not like. So it could be either that is the "problem" That IDX know their batteries won't work with some Sony chargers suggests the problem is at the Sony end.
 
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JAMedia said:
Irt could be the other way around. The Charger is interogating the battery and won't work with non Sony batteries. These batteries and chargers are quite complex systems contaiing microporcessors and software. iIf won or the other uses a different protocoll they it may not work. Sony may use V1.3 of a protocol and the IDX 1.4 and implimented something the Sony charger does not like. So it could be either that is the "problem" That IDX know they batteries won't work with some Sony chargers suggests the problem is at the Sony end.
Click to expand...

Indeed! It could be the other way around. Sadly, It's just a pain in the rear.

Chris Young.
 
2 closing comments from me : 1. The person at IDX wrote a follow up that indicated he really was trying to get to the bottom of this issue, which is rare these days, and appreciated. 2. While this thread was being developed, I finally collected the courage to quit the business. Dozens of boxes off to Adorama*, and with luck, we'll see enough in the check payout to go enjoy one nice meal - and my wife and I can sign off on my interesting journey. Then - on to the next thing.... and wishing my colleagues all the best in this tough and unforgiving business. It is not for the faint-of-heart.

Grant (* expect about 5 cents on the $, to avoid excessive disappointment).
 
If you feel like sharing, what made you quit? Just general frustration and it was time?
 
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