Switronix Powertap Adapter

T

Toby Ralph

Member
I've just taken delivery of a Switronix XP-DV-VBG Powertap(D-Tap) to Panasonic Battery adapter.

For some reason it won't power the AF102 camera. I've tried different batteries and v-lock plates(with powertap)

Am I missing something in camera that I have to switch over?

Any help appreciated. I was kind of counting on this little buggar...
 
I had a similar issue with the Switronix adapter on my HVX200. It would never work with my 90Wh battery but would power up when connected to the 130Wh battery. Both batteries were Switronix bricks, but the light on the adapter would not even turn on with the 90Wh battery, even though the battery itself worked just fine for other things (monitor, follow focus motor).

It really shouldn't matter (since it only relates to capacity), but what is the watt hour rating of the various batteries you've tried? Going higher is the only thing I've found to make a difference in my limited testing.
 
I spoke to a guy at Panasonic today who told me that the camera will only take a battery it recognises as a Panasonic battery. Pain in the arse.
 
I spoke to a guy at Panasonic today who told me that the camera will only take a battery it recognises as a Panasonic battery. Pain in the arse.
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So all these ebay batteries pretending to be fully decoded and rechargeable with the original charger, are just scams? Or aren't they?
 
danap said:
So all these ebay batteries pretending to be fully decoded and rechargeable with the original charger, are just scams? Or aren't they?
Click to expand...

We haven't had any trouble with IDX's hmc batteries. (http://www.idxtek.com/products/ssl-vbg50) I think the Panasonic Rep may have used poor word choice.

I am having a problem with the switronix adapter staying engaged. I can draw power from 90watt and 140watt anton batteries, but a gentle nudge on the dummy battery with the camera on, caused the camera to power down. This problem could be the same thing bogging down your rig. try jiggling the dummy battery. It's not a long term fix, but it may confirm my theory.
 
danap said:
So all these ebay batteries pretending to be fully decoded and rechargeable with the original charger, are just scams? Or aren't they?
Click to expand...
No, those batteries that are claiming that they are "fully decoded" would be impersonating a Panasonic battery. If they do it accurately, then the camera will recognize it as a genuine Panasonic battery.

What the representative probably meant is that there is communications between the camera and the battery to determine if it's a genuine panasonic battery or not. If the battery doesn't respond appropriately, then it will not work. Those ebay batteries are claiming that they've figured out how to respond appropriately.
 
I had the same problem with swittronix adapter, I am glad it wasn't just me. I could power the camera if I pushed it in and held it on the right side but it would shake loose easily, I send mine back.
 
Update!

Playing with the adapter as you mention has made it work. Must have bedded in the contacts or something. I successfully used it today for a couple of hours before the camera cut and put up a warning that I could no longer us the battery(which was still charged). I'm going to persist as the bloke at Switronix says the adapter should be compatible. I guess it's an issue of the contacts not seating properly.
 
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