Power solutions in the field?

M

mjhardin

Active member
I need some expert advice:

I just did my first shooting in an extreme location [Africa]. Sometimes I was several days away from any power source. Luckily I had charged a couple of lead acid batteries for a camera mounted light and for a Laird Telemedia drive. I used a 12 volt lighter adaptor to recharge my batteries in the field. Just plain luck it worked just enough to allow me to shoot basic coverage.

It was a cool challenge, but needless to say, I don't want to go through it again and I don't want to potentially miss an important shot because I ran out of juice. Any suggestions on where I could find information on:

1. Long term field battery solutions.
2. Information or equipment to help me in 220v environments [power strips, etc.] that won't fry the DVX-100a.

I will probably be doing more work like this in very remote locations in 3rd world countries, and I will also need to power a laptop for editing in the field.

Thanks.
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

The standard Panasonic charger that comes with the camera is powered by a switch mode power supply that allows it to work with AC or DC voltages in a range that well and truely covers both 120V and 220/240V. So you don't have any worries there all you need to do is get the kettle lead that will plug into the sockets of the country you are in. If your having to come to Australia let me know I can throw you about 200 of the bloody things! :)
On charging from a 12VDC source I asked a question about that just recently and Barry Green suggested an after market charger made by Lenmar. I haven't got it yet but from reading up on it and just the fact that Barry recommended it it sounds like a goer to me.
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

http://citytekpower.com/pro-linewslamp.htm
forget about the lamp , but 200w -14.4 v is equal to 400w on 7.2 , with little lose on conversion you can work weeks with th e monster
(the li-ion holds 90% charge for month)
not cheap but for long staing in places with out tha ac its nice
another benefit is the that thing less then 4 pounds
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Tawsy & Oleg:

Thanks for the...."input" ;D I'll be following up on both your suggestions.
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Oleg:

I looked at the citylight [http://citytekpower.com/pro-linewslamp.htm], and I have some questions I hope you can answer. I'd really like to try to avoid contacting customer service half way around the globe from here [USA]. It's hard enough dealing with people in my own time zone.:

1. How would I connect the battery to the camera? It looks like it has a 4 pin XLR. Is there an adaptor for the DVX-100?
2. How much are the batteries? I couldn't find a price list on their site. [Let me know which currency you are using.]
3. Are they available for import into the US?
4. Do you have a contact at the company?

If you can answr any of these questions, great. If not, no problem.
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

1- you need xlr to what ever the plug on dvx with voltag comverter
i think the best way is to build it inside dead dvx battery .
2-send them an e mail
3 i dont know , but why not
4 threw the local dealer -but remember that here we have 40-62% tax ,so i cant recomend you to do it that way
5 there are few companies in china who makes li-io
I think  SWIT are imported to US
the biggest oncamera battery that i know  this days is 160w, so 2like thaat is 320w-14.4, you can check this with charger
(price for that here is 1200$ after tax, in hong kong or singapure  600-700$)
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Thanks Oleg.

Anyone had any experience with the QR-DVX100 and Dionic battery configuration from Anton Bauer?
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

< How would I connect the battery to the camera? It looks like it has a 4 pin XLR. Is there an adaptor for the DVX-100?

At a risk of sounding self promoting, as we offer the solution that should work for you, the safest and most practical way of powering the camera is getting a DC/DC converter. It uses any 12-14V power source like car power or a 12V high capacity battery/battery belt, and reduces it to 7.2V that the camera needs. There is a huge selection of the 12v batteries out there, not only from the video equipment makers, but auto industry, etc. One that comes to mind, is Bescor - www.bescor.com.
HTH
Alex Dolgin
www.dolgin.net
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Adolgen:

Thanks for the site link(s).

On your site you have a product [Power Brace Gold] that interfaces with Anton Bauer batteries, but that's only shown for the XL-1. Any plans for a DVX-100 version? Not so much for the Anton Bauer solution, but for the ability to mount your DC converter so that it doesn't dangle.

Have you had anyone use velcro on the adaptor and with a battery belt?
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

We currently do not have the shoulder mount solution for the DVX100, but are thinking about it...
As far as the DC converter, you can use either velcro, or we have a belt mount metal clip (not shown). Mention the clip while ordering - it is free.
Alex Dolgin
www.dolgin.net
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

http://www.swit-battery.com/english/productlist.asp?listtype=01
switt makes anton bouer or sony mount batteries , dc adaptors and quet cheap chargers , with alex dc to dc converter- you can safety run for 20 hours on 160w battery . ido know that they very relible (most of the israely video companys renting them with the camera ) and they 1/3 rd of the AB price
this company maKing leptop dc power solutions as well
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

[quote author=adolgin link=board=Links;num=1087998971;start=0#7 date=06/24/04 at 05:20:50]< How would I connect the battery to the camera? It looks like it has a 4 pin XLR. Is there an adaptor for the DVX-100?

At a risk of sounding self promoting, as we offer the solution that should work for you, the safest and most practical way of powering the camera is getting a DC/DC converter. It uses any 12-14V power source like car power or a 12V high capacity battery/battery belt, and reduces it to 7.2V that the camera needs. There is a huge selection of the 12v batteries out there, not only from the video equipment makers, but auto industry, etc. One that comes to mind, is Bescor - www.bescor.com.
HTH
Alex Dolgin  
www.dolgin.net[/quote]

ALEX , DOES YOUR DC TO DC HAS ANY PROTECTION (CUT-OFF)ADAINST OVER DISCHARGE
THANKS
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

At about 9V or below at the input it will stop drawing current. In general, the 12V Lead Acid batteries are very robust, and are not damaged by over discharging them like you would damage Li-Ion batteries. Just do not store them in the discharged state, charge them right after you are done.
Alex Dolgin
www.dolgin.net
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Lead asid are 10.8 min, why not to place the cut off point haigher?
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Oleg, the Lead Acid batteries do not need to be protected from overdischarge. The reason discharge curves are provided is for the purpose of characterizing their performance for the given load http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/battery/oem/images/pdf/SLA LCS2312PC Discontinued.pdf
There is no safety issues or imminent damage to them when overdischarged. Off course, it is not recommended as their service life would be affected. It is different with the Li-Ion packs (7.2V). The Lithium cells would be damaged when overdischarged/overcharged. That is why they have special protective circuits *integrated* in the pack. They open up the moment the pack sees unsafe voltage, or overdischarged.
HTH
Alex Dolgin
 
Re: Power solutions in the field?

Hi I am in Toronto and am in 220 Volt business, can help you with step down transformers, plug adaptors and 220volt power strips/powerbars. Pls get in touch if you need any assistance.

By the way you could use power inverters in a car/van if you have access to one and charge battries through that.

Cheers
 
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