Power sources in the field?

T

Toaster

Well-known member
Hey guys ...

I shoot a lot of stuff outside and in relatively remote locations. I'm looking into power sources and, like everything else, am finding generators to be quite expensive!!!

What are you guys using? Any suggestions? Recommendations? Ballpark prices you paid for your unit?

Shanx!
Kevin
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

That's the key question.

I mean, basically you've got three options: batteries, a generator, or a really, really, really, really, really long extension cord! :)

Batteries could include something as simple as a battery belt, or a booster-pac jump-start device, something like that.  No hassle, and silent; but they can't power much wattage for very long.  A Booster-pac can handle maybe 250 watts for a half an hour before it's drained dry.  But if you're using compact fluorescent lights, you can get quite a lot of light out of maybe 100 watts worth, which could give you an hour of power.

A generator, on the other hand, can handle much more load, but they're noisy, expensive, and need fuel.  Plus the quality of power may not be "clean".  A compromise could be some of these new little Honda generators, they're rated for like 1,000 watts but you can chain two of them together to get a full 2,000 watt circuit out of a pair of 'em.  Supposed to be reasonably quiet.  But I think they're like $800-$1000 each.

You could always rent a generator, you can get big generators, but you'll need a truck or some way to haul it.

For the hack-job cheap way to do it, you could use your car as a generator, and attach an inverter to the battery.  Depending on your alternator, most cars could probably handle a 1200-watt inverter direct-connected to the battery (*not* plugged in through the cigarette lighter!)  Most modern cars are a lot quieter than a generator would be, so you'd just leave the car running while using the inverter.  Park a ways away, and use the longest extension cords you can get.

Any other ideas?
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

Just think...If Tesla had gotten it off the ground you could plug right into the dirt ;D
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

i find that renting a small genny is not too expensive. I rent them for $50 for the weekend and jsut get gas. I'm talking about the smaller ones Barry is speaking of. of course a genny truck will run you quite a bit. The noise factor is the problem though. I just get a sh*tload of extensions and just get the generator as far as i can.
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

Well if you want a generator to make less noise, you just put it in a hole in the ground, that can make wonders.
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

I should post this a few years from now....maybe 10 to 20, when the energy system is in place. I assume it's expensive but this is what the future will bring:

Coleman Powermate Fuel Cell Generator Earns UL Listing
NORTHBROOK, Ill., USA, January 9, 2003 -- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the world's most respected safety testing and certification organization, announced that the Coleman Powermate AirGen™ fuel cell generator has been determined to comply with UL 1778, "Standard for Uninterruptible Power Supply Equipment" and UL's Outline of Investigation for Portable Fuel Cell Power Plants, subject 2262.

Using the UL-Recognized Ballard Power Systems Nexa™ fuel cell power module as a major component, the AirGen™ generator converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and allows the generator to be used as a movable power source and backup power system. The UL-Listed AirGen™ generator has a built-in power inverter that can produce up to 1,000 watts of alternating current (AC) power as long as hydrogen gas is supplied to the internal fuel cell. The power inverter converts the fuel cell's direct current (DC) power into electricity that can power standard electronics, computers and appliances.

"The AirGen™ fuel cell generator automatically senses when utility power fails and acts as an uninterruptible power supply, keeping mission-critical computer and phone systems online," said Ken Frank, senior research and development engineer for Coleman Powermate, defining the generator's most significant operating feature. "It also acts as a surge protector, buffering expensive electronics from dangerous power spikes and regulating voltage."

Dennis Campbell, president and COO of Ballard Power Systems said, "The AirGen™ fuel cell generator is a glimpse of the future as we see it. It is clear proof that fuel cell technology is commercially viable and environmentally sound."

"UL recognizes the unique challenges that fuel cell technologies present to regulators and also the opportunities they offer the public and environment as we consider reduced dependence on fossil fuels," said Kent Whitfield, lead of distributed generation technologies for UL. "The key for us is to ensure that products are safe, that our evaluations meet regulator's concerns while always being conscious of the fact that quick turnaround time is very important to the industry."

Ray Stanko, UL engineer for the investigation of the generator added, "Projects of this scope, specifically those involving products that are completely new to the market place, pose unique challenges to both the manufacturer and to UL. It was only through the excellent cooperation between the Coleman Powermate staff and the UL evaluation team, along with a thorough understanding of each other's objectives and constraints that the investigation was completed in such a timely manner."

For more information about UL's distributed generation equipment testing services, visit www.ul.com/dge/.

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products for more than 108 years. UL tests more than 18,000 types of products annually, and more than 17 billion UL Marks appear on products each year. Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers include more than 47 laboratories, and testing and certification facilities.
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

I really like the inverter idea ... thanks Barry!

Noise, in my case, usually isn't too much of a problem since I primarily do music videos. But I'm pumping a PA system, a few lights (usually a couple of 1Ks and some smaller fill lights) and other misc small power eaters...

Honda makes some sweet gens, but they are $$$!!! and rentals in NYC are also a bit on the expensive side. But heck, I could rent a car for $49 and slap an inverter on that puppy and be good to go for a little while, huh!!!???
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

I use two solutions, depending on what I'm powering.

I have a pair of battery belts from Cool-Lux. They weigh a ton, but do a good job for powering small lights, especially on-camera.

Then I have a 750 Watt Inverter which can take power from your car battery (directly: no cigarette lighter here) and turn it into AC power. If you want, you can even untether yourself from your car by bringing that along with a deep-cycle marine battery: those bad boys are meant to be drained completely and recharged repeatedly. Most car batteries are used to being charged as they work, so they aren't really suited for running down to "empty."

Good luck!
 
Re: Power sources in the field?


i have a deep cycle battery from sears, it will run a couple of mini frezzi's all night, but thats only good for minimal lighting for an interview or very close distance/small light spread.

matthew
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

Tungsten lighting is the most power-hungry and least efficient of the three main lighting sources (tungsten, HMI and fluorescent). When you're talking about running off battery, you'll get much more power efficiency and battery life if you can use fluo's or HMI's.
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

Have you guys looked into marine batteries and inverters? I haven't done this with camera equipment, but I use them on my boat and they can produce a good amount of amp hours. For the best bang for your buck, I would get two 6volt golf cart batteries and wire them up to make one high amp 12volt bank (this will give you the best performance even over very expensive 12 volt batteries) and use a standard inverter. I like those made by Statpower because the are true sine wave inverters and the power is very clean, but I'm sure you could get away with less. Then you get a smart charger that plugs into the wall and recharge it when you get home.

First make a spreadsheet for all the equipment you would like to run and figure out how many amps you're going to need to run it for as long as you would like, and then build the bank to accommodate that. It's actually pretty simple.

Matt
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

Build the bank to accomodate TWICE the total power requirement you come up with. Deep cycle batteries should only be run down to 50% of capacity, certainly not down to 10% or less.

As for inverters powered by cars, make sure the car has an alternator powerful enough to supply the wattage you need. 2 1K's and a bunch of amplifiers will draw quite a lot of juice. A compact car won't give you much, perhaps 1000 watts of spare. Plus you will have to prop the accelerator up to get the power, idle won't put out.
With small generators, you should also get twice the capacity you need. They just won't put out the full 110 volts you will want at full draw.
 
Re: Power sources in the field?

Anyone have any experience with the Coleman genny's? They seem to priced much better than the Honda's. I've been looking into a 5K model.
 
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