switronix

I

ian515

Active member
Whats everyones opinion on the switronix batteries and charger? I have been using Anton Bauer Dionic batteries. I started with four, and 2 have died (AB says they are longer good after 3 years and I should throw them out!!) so I want to start phasing them out. I am already pretty setup for Gold Mount, so I would like to keep buying those style batteries. Does anyone know if the charger for Switronix can also charge AB dionics? Do the batteries last more than 3 years?? If they charge AB bats, makes sense just to switch now, then I won't have to buy 4 new Swit batteries, I can just get two and wait for my remaining AB batteries to die.

any thoughts would be appreciated!

cheers!
 
I'm using Sony charger/AC power supplies for my swintronix batts. They only charge EX type batts. Don't know about alternate chargers, but I would be surprised if you can find one that does both. Really like my L-96's but its way too soon to comment on longevity as I've only had them for 4 months.
 
An EX battery charger, such as those for Sony, Switronix, Series 7, Swit and IDX brick batteries will not work on an Anton Bauer set up.

Single chargers are cheap and easy. Your biggest question there is do you get 3-4 separate ones and deal with the cords, or do you get a quad charger like from Dolgin.
http://www.dolgin.net/Battery_Charger_TC400-EX.htm

As far as how long the batteries last, most of the major 3rd party batteries are comparable depending on the amount of Lithium Ion put in them in the first place. I read an article that said you can almost tell entirely by weight. (There are still knock offs that are crap. Be wary of ebay batteries.)

The life the battery lasts should not be the number of years old it is. It should be the number of recharge cycles for Lithium Ion. (I don't know about dionics.) I have some Lithium batteries I bought when I originally bought my EX1 that are still just fine so I continue to use them on the F3.
 
I can not comment on the original question regarding using a Switronix charger but can shed some light on the batteries going bad. In general, time makes them loose capacity at about 5%-10% /year, so after the 3 year period they should not be dead, same true for the cycle life, they should be good for 300-500 cycles, loosing their capacity slowly with cycling. But if you allow even a new AB battery to completely discharge by not putting it on a charger now and then, you might loose it without a chance for repair. The AB Dionics have internal electronics doing all the fuel gaging calculations and the LCD driving. Once the circuits drain the cells down to a very low state, they are damaged forever. Also, it is bad to leave them on direct sunlight, or in hot environment. This is true with any Li-Ion batteries, no matter who makes them. HTH
 
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Been using switronix for 8months now. They have been fantastic. One 90wh battery runs the camera, small HD for 3 hours. With ki pro for about 90min.

Also, I only have 2. I thought. I would have needed more, like 4, but truth is, they charge faster than they discharge on the F3.

Arri alexa it is not (it draws 90w.... yes like a light bulb).
 
For heaven's sake do not throw them out. Recelling A/B batteries is fairly common with those who use a lot of them. Check the name "jritter" on eBay, he recells A/B batteries for a lot of industry operators. He also now recells Dionics. Hytrons and TrimPacs (NiCads) have been recellable for a long time. You have paid a premium for your A/B's. It's time you benefitted from your investment and get them recelled.
 
I will look into the Recell, thanks! I definitely don't want to chuck them, they were way too expensive!
 
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