Possible to power a non-audio device from phantom power on XLR input on video camera?

BrandonT

BrandonT

Well-known member
Hi all. I was wondering if it is possible to power a device that requires DC 5V power input from the phantom power of the XLR input on a video camera? In this case, I'm looking at video transmitters. Here's a link for reference. You don't have to tell me that it's on the low scale end. I think it might work for our purposes.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E953OJQ...TF8&colid=1Z04TFDACL3K1&coliid=I1QYHX14HFERRT

So it would be a cable that goes from XLR to the DC power plug, and would need to have different size tips. If it is possible, do you know of a product?

Otherwise, if anyone knows of an adapter that uses Sony NPF batteries with the DC tap out, please let me know. Thanks!!
 
In short, no. You can of course use the phantom power for anything you want, but it has a maximum ability in terms of current. Most condenser mics require around 3-5mA, but a few need more than this, and well designed kit might have 10mA available. Unless you can find a very low power device, you are stuck because most wireless transmitters require ten times or more current.
 
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I would second that. You will get a touch more power if you have the phantom at 48 and step it down to 5 with a DC/DC converter but the converter eats some and Phantom is very low power so I doubt you would get enough. It says it needs 1000 mA and that is a LONG way from 10mA.

Not to mention that doing that may also trash the audio on the camera, if you were thinking of recording sound on it also. You are connecting the audio circuit to the power connector so god knows what junk will be flooding back, and if it's on the ground that might well show up on the channel you are not using to power the box.

Get a battery holder from radio shack and build the power supply from that. 4 Rechargeables is 4.8V and 4 alkaline is 6V either should work. I would probably double that and run 1/2 in parallel since 1000mA is a big drain. Or get one of those rechargable power packs, you can set it to 5V, but they run $100+ so not a particularly cheap solution.
 
That is nice. With the rail bracket removed it might work well as a BDS for sound. I have those batteries and quick charger from my little used old camcorder so that would be a much more affordable choice than the bigger ones.

How long is it, I didn't see demensions.
 
You guys are great! Thanks for all of the speedy responses.


Paul F said:
This is what I use. It powers the video transmitter, camera, and the monitor.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-15mm-R...318?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4174afc816
Click to expand...

Looks good. Reminded me to check on the NPF to V-mount battery adapter that I got for my ePhoto CN900 LED panel a couple of weeks back. It does have a D-Tap port. However, it says "Output: DC 13-16.8V". I need 5V, so I guess that wouldn't work. Does the rail mount one that you use automatically set correct voltage, or does it have a switch or something?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0CEDIE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was also looking at the rechargeable battery packs like the ones that Tekkeon and Anker make. I'll probably try to go with something that uses NPF batteries, but if not, I'll go with one of them.
 
BrandonT said:
.Does the rail mount one that you use automatically set correct voltage, or does it have a switch or something?
Click to expand...

Brandon,


It has three outputs; 5v for your transmitter, 12v for a monitor, and 7.2v for a camera. There is nothing to switch.

The electronics are good. It uses switchers instead of regulators to set the voltages. So it does not waste power. The mechanics have much to be desired, but it does the job.
 
Richard Crowley said:
12V to 5V converter.

View attachment 89183

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-Converte...V-mini-usb-output-power-Adapter-/141352766981
Click to expand...

Those work great. I use it for my receiver. I have an NPF battery on the back of the monitor. It provides 7.2v to the 12v input jack of the monitor. I connect the 12v-5v adapter to the 12v input on the monitor (using it as an output, not an input). The 12v converter converts the 7.2v to 5v which supplies the receiver. The adapter Richard shows already has the mini-usb on it and it works just right. You can't see the adapter in the picture.



 
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Noiz2 said:
That is nice. With the rail bracket removed it might work well as a BDS for sound. I have those batteries and quick charger from my little used old camcorder so that would be a much more affordable choice than the bigger ones.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I've tried to standardize on the NPF for everything. Camera, LED lights, monitor, video transmitter. I hadn't thought of using it as a BDS.
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