Anton Bauer Batteries suddenly stopped charging

[Ron L Rathbone]

:D

 

Thank you Dave Beaty of Dreamtime Entertainment. We receive dosens of emails and letters each month praising us for the excellent job that we accomplish on your battery packs. And as you know, our web site and referrals are our advertisement.

 

I would like to address a few questions / comments:

1. Proudly serving the broadcast and film industry since 1989. We are a Certified SBA HubZone Empowered company located in the Smokey Mountains and we are stafffed with mountain craftsmen / women. Enough said, referrals say the rest.

2. Our current turn-around on most batteries including your Anton Bauer ProPac recelled to 82 WH and the Hytron 100/120 recelled to 142WH is 3-5 working days. This week was 3 days.

2A. Vague on turn-around during relocation. Maybe. I thought it was pretty clear that turn-around was uncertain during the consoliation and relocation. We crossed every T and dotted every i under our control.

After ordering new phone service and T1 we went 10 weeks with no outside communications except a temp phone line run along the state highway. Our blanket orders for more popular battery cells were placed in August 2005 for another 12 months. For the first time our Authorized Value Added Distributor went through "something" and our December and January cell orderes were delayed until January 17, 2006. During that time we could have used lesser quality cells like the Sanyo KR5000DEL but we did not. We have blanket orders with Authorized Value Added Distributors (AVAD). Our primary AVAD rep who had handled our account very well for the last three years quit her job there in August 05. Ron personally called on September 4, 14, and October 30, 2005 to make sure the staff was on top of our blanket orders and on schedule with our shipments. After the tuff relocation followed by ten weeks with no phone/internet access we are taking nothing for granted.

 

We finally received our December 1, 2005 shipment from our blanket order on January 17th, 2006 and are assured that there will be no more interruptions because of their errors.

 

Our AVAD was keenly aware that we were relocating, were without internet access for 10 weeks, and we were taking no chances on our cells. The head person at our AVAD apparently had to take a short medical leave around TG. A DA sales guy was in charge.

 

On December 10 we called our AVAD asking the status of our cell shipments then three week late. This being the cells we use in ProPac and Hytron units. We were told by the fill in person that we would receive them on or before January 20th, 2006. They had pushed our orders out for their own reasons.

 

We called the cell manufacturer direct, discovered our volume now qualifies for buying direct, have jumped through every hoop, and now have a blanket order in through them. Yet it is an eight week lead on our initial shipment from them direct. The AVAD now has our blanket back in place and we will continue to use them until the factory direct cells arrive.

 

Garbage like this is unbelievable and totally beyond our control. Of course, with any other vendor they would have used an alternate cell in your packs and never said a word to you. But we are not other vendors. We could have ordered Sanyo KR5000 or other lower grade Sanyo or Saft cells, BUT, we are not other vendors.

 

3. The Steadicam Master battery is a tuff recell. That insert requires spacers in a peculiar configuration and it takes more time than other inserts to build. We would never use the press negative Sanyo KR5000DEL!

 

4. About the familiar corner retail battery store. First, rathboneenergy.com is a custom assembler of dry cell rechargeable battey packs and also professional recelling of battery packs for any industry. Broadcast news and film battery recelling is one of our specialties. Many times clients send us battery packs that have died prematurely and we discover they have been recelled by these guys. When we begin cleaning them up for recell we discover poor in everything. Poor opening of the pack, cutting up of wiring harnesses, patched and inaccurate color coding on the patched harnesses, and usually Chinese cells. Poor closure of the recell. All these things are covered at rathboneenergy.com in our detailed 50+ FAQ's. You get what you pay for.

 

5. We use only Panasonic, Saft, and Sanyo cells, NO chinese, third world, or Brand name, low end, "economical" cells. We always use sintered positive electrode unless there is no sintered positive electrode option, then and ONLY then we are forced to press negative.

 

What is the difference? Too much information for this forum. Go to our web site rathboneenergy.com, read the FAQ's, read the articles, find a battery you need recelling, then following the links in our detailed description.

 

5A. 75WH, 500-700 CD: Sanyo KR5000DEL

This cell has poor heat tolerance and low durability.

Sanyo KR5000DEL or less, not used by us.

 

6. Plastic welding of your AB Logic ProPac recells: Our high tech plastic welding technique is so strong we have to reopen the cases just like a never before opened battery, and the cases can be recelled over and over without loss of battery dimensions.

 

7. We are working hard to introduce a few new batteries at the NAB 2006. A replacement for the Proformer at +/-

$150.00; A replacement for the AB Ni-CD Brick with a price point +/- $280.00; A replacement for the AB Hytron 100/120 at a price point of +/- $350.00. We will package them with PAG PULSAR Analyzers with Snap on compatible mounts.

 

8. We have cleints who buy inserts from us to install into their cleints Steadicam, and Arri / Arriflex cameras. They also have used Steadicam and Arri batteries that they recell using our inserts. Give us a call for their contact information. BTW; many clients sell us their Logic ProPacs so we have pre-owned ProPacs that we can recell for you.

 

9. If on an outside chance you have found a battery assembler or a battery pack rebuilder that offers everything we do in: cell selection, building your battery pack, efforts in safety, detailed black and white description sheets backed up by detailed manufacturers battery cell specification sheets, packing slips, and invoices, you have just found the web site and reason why. rathboneenergy.com, Introducing a Battery Ethics Standard to Our Industry.

 

The more you are accurately informed the better you will appreciate rathboneenergy.com

 

Because of your referrals our business in broadcast and film continues to grow in leaps and bounds.

 

Thank you Dave Beaty again for your positive referral.

 

Ron L Rathbone

Rathbone Energy , Inc.

2595 E. Hwy. 25/70

Building # 2

Dandridge, TN 37725

800-223-1775 (Sales)

865-484-1783 (Office and Sales)

865-803-4430 (Verizon In Network with Picture and Text Messaging)

sales@rathboneenergy.com

 

Hey guys.

 

I've used Rathbone Energy for Anton Bauer Digital Propaks and they do an excellent job. They are able to to the plastic weld seams and add a custom etched cover with your personal contact info to the batts. They have been slow lately, as they moved their facility to TN. Call and see what the turn around is.

 

I've done about 4 Antons in the last year and they are honest and good at what they do. About $190 US for an Digital Propak recell with Panasonic Nicads.

 

dbeaty

[Ron L Rathbone]

:D

Hello Fredric,

 

I hope your modified H50 battery and PAG analyzer are still doing well. The H50 is not my favorite battery. However we have upgraded to a new cell option at 4500mAH giving you 65WH on your H50.

 

we have consoliddated and relocated, hired additional help, are hiring more help, and even with all of our professional assembly, professiional recell technique, and testing are down to a three day trun-around.

 

rathboneenergy.com has been proudly serving the broadcast news, cinema, and film industry since 1989 and it is your referrals that continue to increase our business exponitially.

 

We receive dosens of emails and letters each month praising us for the excellent job that we accomplish on your battery packs. And as you know, our web site and referrals are our advertisement.

 

I would like to address a few pieces of information/comments that I saw throughout this thread and supply our new address and contact information: 1 through 9.

1. rathboneenergy.com has Proudly served the broadcast and film industry since 1989. We are a Certified SBA HubZone Empowered company located in the Smokey Mountains and we are stafffed with mountain craftsmen / women. Enough said, referrals say the rest.

2. Our current turn-around on most batteries including Anton Bauer ProPac recelled to 82 WH and the Hytron 100/120 recelled to 142WH is 3-5 working days. This week was 3 days.

2A. From October through December we may have been somewhat Vague on turn-around during relocation. Maybe. I thought it was pretty clear that turn-around was uncertain during the consoliation and relocation. We crossed every T and dotted every i under our control.

After ordering new phone service and T1 we went 10 weeks with no outside communications except a temp phone line run along the state highway. Our blanket orders for more popular battery cells were placed in August 2005 for another 12 months. For the first time our Authorized Value Added Distributor went through "something" and our December and January cell orderes were delayed until January 17, 2006. During that time we could have used lesser quality cells like the Sanyo KR5000DEL but we did not. We have blanket orders with Authorized Value Added Distributors (AVAD). Our primary AVAD rep who had handled our account very well for the last three years quit her job there in August 05. Ron personally called on September 4, 14, and October 30, 2005 to make sure the staff was on top of our blanket orders and on schedule with our shipments. After the tuff relocation followed by ten weeks with no phone/internet access we are taking nothing for granted.

 

We finally received our December 1, 2005 shipment from our blanket order on January 17th, 2006 and are assured that there will be no more interruptions because of their errors.

 

Our AVAD was keenly aware that we were relocating, were without internet access for 10 weeks, and we were taking no chances on our cells. The head person at our AVAD apparently had to take a short medical leave around TG. A DA sales guy was in charge.

 

On December 10 we called our AVAD asking the status of our cell shipments then three week late. This being the cells we use in ProPac and Hytron units. We were told by the fill in person that we would receive them on or before January 20th, 2006. They had pushed our orders out for their own reasons.

 

We called the cell manufacturer direct, discovered our volume now qualifies for buying direct, have jumped through every hoop, and now have a blanket order in through them. Yet it is an eight week lead on our initial shipment from them direct. The AVAD now has our blanket back in place and we will continue to use them until the factory direct cells arrive.

 

Garbage like this is unbelievable and totally beyond our control. Of course, with any other vendor they would have used an alternate cell in your packs and never said a word to you. But we are not other vendors. We could have ordered Sanyo KR5000 or other lower grade Sanyo or Saft cells, BUT, we are not other vendors.

 

3. We would never use the press negative Sanyo KR5000DEL in any recell!

 

4. About the familiar corner retail battery store. First, rathboneenergy.com is a custom assembler of dry cell rechargeable battey packs and also professional recelling of battery packs for any industry. Broadcast news and film battery recelling is one of our specialties. Many times clients send us battery packs that have died prematurely and we discover they have been recelled by these guys. When we begin cleaning them up for recell we discover poor in everything. Poor opening of the pack, cutting up of wiring harnesses, patched and inaccurate color coding on the patched harnesses, and usually Chinese cells. Poor closure of the recell. All these things are covered at rathboneenergy.com in our detailed 50+ FAQ's. You get what you pay for.

 

5. We use only Panasonic, Saft, and Sanyo cells, NO chinese, third world, or Brand name, low end, "economical" cells. We always use sintered positive electrode unless there is no sintered positive electrode option, then and ONLY then we are forced to press negative.

 

What is the difference? Too much information for this forum. Go to our web site rathboneenergy.com, read the FAQ's, read the articles, find a battery you need recelling, then following the links in our detailed description.

 

5A. 75WH, 500-700 CD: Sanyo KR5000DEL

This cell has poor heat tolerance and low durability.

Sanyo KR5000DEL or less, not used by us.

 

6. Plastic welding of your AB Logic ProPac recells: Our high tech plastic welding technique is so strong we have to reopen the cases just like a never before opened battery, and the cases can be recelled over and over without loss of battery dimensions.

 

7. We are working hard to introduce a few new batteries at the NAB 2006. A replacement for the Proformer at +/-

$150.00; A replacement for the AB Ni-CD Brick with a price point +/- $280.00; A replacement for the AB Hytron 100/120 at a price point of +/- $350.00. We will package them with PAG PULSAR Analyzers with Snap on compatible mounts.

 

8. We have cleints who buy inserts from us to install into their cleints Steadicam, and Arri / Arriflex cameras. They also have used Steadicam and Arri batteries that they recell using our inserts. Give us a call for their contact information. BTW; many clients sell us their Logic ProPacs so we have pre-owned ProPacs that we can recell for you.

 

9. If on an outside chance you have found a battery assembler or a battery pack rebuilder that offers everything we do in: cell selection, building your battery pack, efforts in safety, detailed black and white description sheets backed up by detailed manufacturers battery cell specification sheets, packing slips, and invoices, you have just found the web site and reason why. rathboneenergy.com, Introducing a Battery Ethics Standard to Our Industry.

 

The more you are accurately informed the better you will appreciate rathboneenergy.com

 

Because of your referrals our business in broadcast and film continues to grow in leaps and bounds.

 

Thank you Dave Beaty again for your positive referral.

 

Ron L Rathbone

Rathbone Energy , Inc.

2595 E. Hwy. 25/70

Building # 2

Dandridge, TN 37725

800-223-1775 (Sales)

865-484-1783 (Office and Sales)

865-803-4430 (Verizon In Network with Picture and Text Messaging)

sales@rathboneenergy.com

 

 

Hi there,

 

Talking about recelling AB, I sent one of my old Hytron 50 that would not charge anymore to Rathbone and I am waiting for it to come back and see how it compares with my new set of Hytron 50. I will come back to you on their service and recelling products as soon as I have the battery in hands.

Has anyone tried them yet? I can't seem to find a thread on this site.

[Ron L Rathbone]

:D

 

Hello guys,

 

All of the questions I saw in this thread can be answered at rathboneenergy.com

 

THis week we had a battery come in from Keystome Pictures. Rob is good for dropping them into the river. Rob sent an 18 month old plastic welded recell that we did for him 19 months ago. This one came back with a bad circuit board, corrision everywhere, and the insert showed signs of moisture.

 

We cleaned up the battery inside and out, replaced the components, and then, get this, the Panasonic P500DR 14.4V 5.5AH 82WH insert we had built for him still tested at 5.3AH. We placed the insert with water damage on the paper tubes onto the PAG Analyzer and it tested out at 5.3AH over and over.

 

Buy PAG Analyzers. Why? Too much info for the thread. go to our web site and then call.

 

Ron Rathbone

Rathbone Energy, Inc.

rathboneenergy.com

 

I am an advocate of recelling and I honestly wish that Anton Bauer would reconsider the idea of recelling their batteries...... I hate spending a ton of money every 3 years for batteries and then "throwing" them out. I would just assume spend money getting them recelled and use the same shells for many years to come. That way I avoid polluting waste, change in style of battery and change in weight.

I don't understand why Anton Bauer doesn't adopt a policy of recelling or at least readopt their trade in policy. Either way, there is an incentive to recycle and reuse rather than buy buy buy and throw away. It seems to me that if the shell and the electronics are good in the battery, why can't one exchange shot cells for new ones?

So to answer your question about the battery issues you face;

1) keep your old batteries, recell them, and with the money you save,

2) buy a new charger.

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

Gents--

 

I can tell that many of you guys have not been at this Steadicam game long enough to remember the tension and apprehension associated with hitting that power switch on the older green screen models!

 

Nowadays, the biggest worries are framing, balance, and payroll issues! Sheesh! I remember the little prayers I would mumble just before I kicked the Monitor from Standby into Power On.

 

So if one of the biggest issues today facing the operator from the technical standpoint is power and batteries, why skimp and go cheap on the very source of your sled's power? I see no reason to cheap out in this department.

 

From my experience, which dates back to a Model 2 sled (Serial #202!), it makes the best sense and provides the most peace of mind to have the best power system you can afford. For me, that is a simple phone call to Paul Dudeck. Paul has supported my Steadicam system for more than 14 years now and I have never had a better customer-manufacturer relationship.

 

For anyone out there getting started today, try and simplify your technical concerns by eliminating shortcomings found in your equipment. Don't gamble your hard-earned money on "cheap" equipment no matter what the item may be.

 

Do yourselves a favor and get the best you can afford. B-stock is great too! Don't forget that the Olympics are coming up. If I recall correctly, Paul usually has some fine B-stock after the Olympics. Drop him a line and see what might be out there.

 

Best,

 

Brant S. Fagan, SOC

Steadicam/Camera Operator

 

PS I am not a dealer for A/B, just one VERY satisfied customer!

[Marc Abernathy]

i second brant.

 

paul is a great guy and he has put up with all of my lame questions and queries. he has been on top of all of my purchases i have done with him and AB. definately contact him as he has helped me out lots..

[Jason Cortazzo]

I used Rathbone for an Anton Bauer recell. I put the battery in a box, along with a business card, and a check for $199.00. That's 187 for the recell and 12 for return shipping. I got the recelled bat. custom name plate for the battery, and a little maglite. Turn around time was a little long because they were moving. Hopefully that is over.

Jason

[Ron L Rathbone]

:) Hello Jason,

 

Thank you for the positive referral.

 

Yes, current turn-around time is 3-5 working days.

 

As I had stated when talking with diffrent customers. The Georgia location where recelling was done was just too full. No room for the additional help we needed to hire.

 

So, we finished the relocation with our Tennessee assembly facility, moved everything into a larger lease building until we build new. The additional room has allowed us to hire several more in staff and the turn around is already down to 3-5 working days. Your batteries are built to order and every AAnton recell Must pass all test on an Anton Bauer 2702 with DDM before it leaves this building.

 

Keep watchg because we are working on a new line of Ni-CD's, Ni-MH's, R&D on Fuel Cells.

 

As for Lithium Ion, please go to rathboneenergy.com. look in the left margin, choose broadcast batteries, choose lithium ion broadcast.

 

Thanks again. Enjoy the Maglite.

 

Ron L. Rathbone

Rathbone Energy, Inc.

800-223-1775 Sales

865-484-1783 Office and Sales

865-484-1785 FAX

865-803-4430 Verizon In Network with pix and txt.

sales@rathboneenergy.com

 

I used Rathbone for an Anton Bauer recell. I put the battery in a box, along with a business card, and a check for $199.00. That's 187 for the recell and 12 for return shipping. I got the recelled bat. custom name plate for the battery, and a little maglite. Turn around time was a little long because they were moving. Hopefully that is over.

Jason

[Brett Manyluk]

I'm still curious to know if any of you have some light to shed on the Propac shutdown problem. I have a 14.4 propac that was older, yes, but one of my "stronger" batteries, that for no understood reason suddenly would not charge. Same flashing lights on my Titan 2, and no response despite how long I left it on for. I'd hate to recycle a battery that was functioning perfectly fine a little while ago.

 

Oh, yes, I checked the fuses uderneath and they seem fine.

 

Brett Manyluk

[Brad Hruboska]

Gents--

 

I can tell that many of you guys have not been at this Steadicam game long enough to remember the tension and apprehension associated with hitting that power switch on the older green screen models!

 

Nowadays, the biggest worries are framing, balance, and payroll issues! Sheesh! I remember the little prayers I would mumble just before I kicked the Monitor from Standby into Power On.

 

So if one of the biggest issues today facing the operator from the technical standpoint is power and batteries, why skimp and go cheap on the very source of your sled's power? I see no reason to cheap out in this department.

 

From my experience, which dates back to a Model 2 sled (Serial #202!), it makes the best sense and provides the most peace of mind to have the best power system you can afford. For me, that is a simple phone call to Paul Dudeck. Paul has supported my Steadicam system for more than 14 years now and I have never had a better customer-manufacturer relationship.

 

For anyone out there getting started today, try and simplify your technical concerns by eliminating shortcomings found in your equipment. Don't gamble your hard-earned money on "cheap" equipment no matter what the item may be.

 

Do yourselves a favor and get the best you can afford. B-stock is great too! Don't forget that the Olympics are coming up. If I recall correctly, Paul usually has some fine B-stock after the Olympics. Drop him a line and see what might be out there.

 

Best,

 

Brant S. Fagan, SOC

Steadicam/Camera Operator

 

PS I am not a dealer for A/B, just one VERY satisfied customer!

[Tom Petropoulos]

Who do I send a AB Pro Pac Battery when it is in need of a ReCell?

How can I do it myself?

 

Thanks,

Tom

[Ron L Rathbone]

I'm still curious to know if any of you have some light to shed on the Propac shutdown problem. I have a 14.4 propac that was older, yes, but one of my "stronger" batteries, that for no understood reason suddenly would not charge. Same flashing lights on my Titan 2, and no response despite how long I left it on for. I'd hate to recycle a battery that was functioning perfectly fine a little while ago.

 

Oh, yes, I checked the fuses uderneath and they seem fine.

 

Brett Manyluk

Hello Bryan,

 

Disclaimer. Written on the fly without a spell checker using an ergonomic keyboard.

 

First let me say this about spending money like it is there to burn. There is a bettery way - rathboneenergy.com

 

Recelling may not inflate the ego like the ability of a few to drop big bucks but here is what Our broadcast clients and some rental company clients have to say. Not an exact qyuote but it goes closely to this:

 

Use to my guys whould fight over who got the new AB bricks and who got stuck with the new recells. Since we started using you now the fight is over who is going to get Your new recells and who gets stuck with the New AB bricks. We have monitored your product and as long as the product continues to perform as it does and we get the support you give us nothing will change.

 

Now, on to your next question. This is not from personal experience but from feedback given to us from existing and new clients. Their frustrations came out while doing photo shoots during the Michael Jackson trials and constant attempts to get photo shoots of GWB in DC or elsewhere.

 

BTW: I have been in the battery side of this business since 1989. Recently while preparing upcoming press releases I came across old AB press releases about there products and comments regarding their logic series batteries and the external fuse. I also remember the marketing campaings against brick aftermarketers who used all thermal fuses and no glass fuses in their versions of the brick.

 

1. The battery that loses power: The newer addition of AB ProPacs and H100/120/140 batteries have NO external fuse. Look for an external fuse. All fuse protection is inside the battery in the form of thermal fuses. Many guys and gals who use lamps as small as 25WH with their cameras have called us in frustration asking why they are having this problem, or telling us about the problem and their experinece with other tech support.

In each instance they would power up for their important photo shoot and 3 to 4 minutes into the shoot they loose power. Why? The thermal fuse becomes too hot, opens, and cuts power until the thermal sensor cools down. This could also happen if the battery is in direct sunlight on a hot day and running on the camera. It is just thermal fuses in there.

 

2. The charge that tells you the battery is on HOLD when actually nothing is wrong with the battery. My suggestion: Buy PAG analyzers. We sell them.

 

Again, we do not have Titan smart chargers here. Our assembly testing is done with PAG Analyzers, Cadex Analyzers, and Christie Analyzers. We do have several AB 2702 IntelliSense smart chargers with DDM. Why? ONLY to do final testing on our recells of Anton Bauer packs. Every Anton Bauer battery we recell must go through the entire 2702 calibration and test procedure before we weld the case back together. Only then are they finished and packed for shipping.

 

BTW, we use ONLY Sintered Positive Electrode Rapid Charge cells in the Nickel cadmium recells and Foam Positive Electrode in Nickel Metal Hydride. See the particular battery recell specs on our website for complete details and manufacturers specification sheets on thier respective cells.

 

You may see recell companies promoting a 5AH high capacity cell. It is Press Negative technology and a very poor choice. While looking through old press releases this week from AB I found one referencing a recelled brick as "Every rebuilt battery is a time bomb in your video operation". I know who's battery is in the picture of that ad and I know that they used 5AH high capacity press negative cells.

 

Many of our clients have called us with problems with their batteries (New batteries, not new and not recelled batteries) asking why they are having a problem and to let us know the batteries are coming in for recell. We always question each client about the charging method as part of the troubleshoot so the Titan is discovered before a recell is done, therefore the problem does not arrise after we have done the recell, except the first time this happend and the Titan issue was discovered.

 

Major studios have had this problem and it was a major studion guy that first brought this to our attention.

 

We did not design the AB smartchargers and will stay with simple interpretations. If would do most people good to read their manual in detail.

 

Like all AB chargers the Titan looks to the thermal fuses and the AB internal circuitry for direction in charge routine. If the charger reads a thermal reading outside the parimeters of the charger the charger in question takes that battery port to"HOLD".

 

Apparently the Titan has a tighter than normal variance on the thermal sensor readings. Calibration is not really the correct wording to use here but to get the point across, the thermal sensor in the battery is outside the calibration directive of the charger, or the charger directive itself has come out of calibration.

 

We get this "HOLD" feedback quit often but only on the Titan. The 2700 series charger is more forgiving on the thermal sensor readings. They buy alternate chargers and their Titans end up on eBay.

 

Nonethe less, we have saved many clients from having to buy new batteries by simply selling them a PAG analyzer.

 

Now, if we test a non-recelled battery or a recelled battery on a 2702 and it goes to hold we first try to repair the problem for the client. If the problem cannot be repaired the battery is usually still good, it just needs a better charger.

 

Then, for safety, we clip certain internal wires so that if the battery is ever accidently placed back on an AB charger the charger will simply not recognize the battery.

 

Thank you.

 

Please visit a few of our staff members at NAB2006 booth # C10621

 

Sincerely,

 

Ron L. Rathbone

Sales

Rathbone Energy, Inc.

2595 E. Hwy 25/70

Building # 2

Dandridge, TN 37725

sales@rathboneenergy.com

www.rathboneenergy.com

800-223-1775 Sales

865-484-1783 Office & Sales

865-484-1785 FAX

865-803-4430 (Verizon In Network with Picture and Text)

An SBA Certified HubZone Empowered Business and potential tax incentive for your company.

[Ron L Rathbone]

Who do I send a AB Pro Pac Battery when it is in need of a ReCell?

How can I do it myself?

 

Thanks,

Tom

 

 

Hello Tom,

 

There is a better way - rathboneenergy.com

 

Please see our web site rathboneenergy.com

 

Look to the top under Rathbone Energy. Go to:

Batteries Button

 

Then look in the left hand margin for Broadcast Batteries

 

Then look in that left hand margin for your type Recell need.

 

Or:

http://www.rathboneenergy.com/batteries/br...t/broadcast.htm

 

Also look in the left hand shared margin for our page: The Negatives of Lithium Ion

 

Thank you.

 

Please visit a few of our staff members at NAB2006 booth # C10621

 

Sincerely,

 

Ron L. Rathbone

Sales

Rathbone Energy, Inc.

2595 E. Hwy 25/70

Building # 2

Dandridge, TN 37725

sales@rathboneenergy.com

www.rathboneenergy.com

800-223-1775 Sales

865-484-1783 Office & Sales

865-484-1785 FAX

865-803-4430 (Verizon In Network with Picture and Text)

An SBA Certified HubZone Empowered Business and potential tax incentive for your company.

[pauldudeck]

Dear Steadicam users,

 

Please don't be fooled by other after-market companies who are trying to imitate Anton/Bauer. Anton/Bauer has been in business for 35 years and have manufactured ALL of their products in the USA for all 35 of those years. Anton/Bauer can go and try and tout its product line, but the products speak for themselves, hence we offer the longest warranties in the battery business.

 

There have not been any problems with the Titan series of chargers. I do not know where/how this information came about, or if someone is just making a judgement by what one customer may have indicated. The Titan chargers employ the same charge technology that the InterActive 2000 chargers do, and have been the most reliable chargers in the industry. Of course other companies will want you to buy their chargers instead. They are trying to sell you something that you do not need.

 

If anyone should have any questions or problems, you can always contact me at pdudeck@antonbauer.com

 

Regards,

Paul Dudeck

[Ron L Rathbone]

Hello guys,

 

I have no desire to make anyone angry. I have been dead on a gurney once for 20 minutes and understand that 50-60-70 years is nothing and nothing here is worth anger. Not even an almost elected political character. Lets just make some money to buy food and pay for housing. O yea, and health insurance.

 

Rathbone Energy is an OEM-value added assembler of primary and rechargeable battery packs and inserts for any industry. We have specialized in the recell of broadcast news batteries since 1989.

 

I made the comments about the Titan. As in my comments we reference users to the manufacturers manual for better guidance. I state that we are not the experts on these chargers and have not owned or used any of the Titans. I did suggest to read the AB manual.

 

As for the Titan. I did not make that up. I do not keep a log of clients or potential clients who have called about issues with their Titan chargers but I do know a few have bought PAG chargers here or somewhere else and others bought a 2700 series charger through B&H or on eBay that we recommended for their situation, and some have said they were placing their Titan on eBay.

 

I do know that in each instance their problem was not fixed. They called us and fortunately for us and by the Grace of God the problem was fixed.

 

Some of the comments made by some of these clients regarding OEM customer support / technical support, the lack of help / advice given were not kind. After their problem was resolved they were kind to us. I am customer service. Of course, there will always be someone out there that we have not pleased either. It goes with the territory.

 

We are not one of the companies interested in AB internal battery technology. I am sorry.

 

We are happy that Anton Bauer does so well because it does create the need for Rathbone Energy.

 

And no, on recells of other brand bricks such as yours we only offer an 18 month pro-rated waranty. Pro-rated due a few people taking advantage of us by sending in excellent batteries 16 months into the 18 month warranty for a free battery. There are only a few of these guys but we are small and it bits.

 

But the good thing about us for some people is that our sintered positive electrode rapid charge cells used in our brick Ni-CD recells is only $187.00 each and the Foam technology cells we use in the recell of H 100/120's is $237.00 each with the 18 month warranty. We always try to exceed industry standards.

 

I have a nice opportunity here and want to sincerely say thank you for your fine products and your creating an avenue for us and our staff to maintain employment here in the US. we do not make a lot of money but we do have jobs.

 

We are working on a line of bricks now that screw together, rubberized, weather proof, external glass fuses, simple inside and depending on an analyzer to properly maintian them. The client can easily buy and install quality inserts from us here in America.

 

However we have a higher than normal unemployment rate and we would entertain doing assembly for you in the mounains of Tennessee. This not sarcasim so do not interpet that way.

 

We are considering recell of Li-ON packs. We opened a battery from one company and were very surprised that the wrapping clearly listed "Made in Japan". I took pictures and still have the pack.

 

Everyone should read my article, The negatives of Li-ON found at rathboneenergy.com. I personally believe that some companies started building Li-ON batteries because of another player, foreign, that has taken a small percentage of the broadcast battery market. I would never know for a fact and would not say as fact, but it is my belief.

 

My compliments on a good product and good night. I hope all of you bring smiles and good will to our NAB booth C10621. We will greet you with the same.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ron L. Rathbone

There's a better way - rathboneenergy.com where cell quality is paramount.

800-223-1775

865-484-1783

sales@rathboneenergy.com

An SBA HubZone Empowered Small Business

 

Dear Steadicam users,

 

Please don't be fooled by other after-market companies who are trying to imitate Anton/Bauer. Anton/Bauer has been in business for 35 years and have manufactured ALL of their products in the USA for all 35 of those years. Anton/Bauer can go and try and tout its product line, but the products speak for themselves, hence we offer the longest warranties in the battery business.

 

There have not been any problems with the Titan series of chargers. I do not know where/how this information came about, or if someone is just making a judgement by what one customer may have indicated. The Titan chargers employ the same charge technology that the InterActive 2000 chargers do, and have been the most reliable chargers in the industry. Of course other companies will want you to buy their chargers instead. They are trying to sell you something that you do not need.

 

If anyone should have any questions or problems, you can always contact me at pdudeck@antonbauer.com

 

Regards,

Paul Dudeck

[Ron L Rathbone]

:)

 

Hello Bryan,

 

We have been asked to franchise our operation before but the problems with a franchise are many including who is building the battery, are they learning as they go, will they bwe with the company in a week, etc.

 

Our experience with bricks that have been previously rebuilt by corner retailers is not impressive.

 

1. The Steadicam Master battery is a tuff recell. That insert requires spacers in a peculiar configuration and it takes more time than other inserts to build. We would never use the press negative Sanyo KR5000DEL!

 

2. About the familiar corner retail battery store. First, rathboneenergy.com is a custom assembler of dry cell rechargeable battey packs and also professional recelling of battery packs for any industry. Broadcast news and film battery recelling is one of our specialties. Many times clients send us battery packs that have died prematurely and we discover they have been recelled by these guys. When we begin cleaning them up for recell we discover poor in everything. Poor opening of the pack, cutting up of wiring harnesses, patched and inaccurate color coding on the patched harnesses, and usually Chinese cells. Poor closure of the recell. All these things are covered at rathboneenergy.com in our detailed 50+ FAQ's. You get what you pay for.

 

3. We use only Panasonic, Saft, and Sanyo cells, NO chinese, third world, or Brand name, low end, "economical" cells. We always use sintered positive electrode unless there is no sintered positive electrode option, then and ONLY then we are forced to press negative.

 

What is the difference? Too much information for this forum. Go to our web site rathboneenergy.com, read the FAQ's, read the articles, find a battery you need recelling, then following the links in our detailed description.

 

5A. 75WH, 500-700 CD: Sanyo KR5000DEL

This cell has poor heat tolerance and low durability.

Sanyo KR5000DEL or less, not used by us.

 

Turn-around:

We will not substitute a lower grade cell for the one we advertise, no matter what. Sometimes when we are awaiting another order of cells we have to wait and take it on the chin from happy clients. But, our clients know that only one cell goes in their battery recelled by rathboneenergy.com. That cell is the very best option chosen between Panasonic, Saft, and Sanyo. Nothing else. No attitude of, ouch, well we need to get the battery out so use that one, they will never know the difference.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Ron L. Rathbone

President

Rathbone Energy, Inc.

There's a battery way - rathboneenergy.com - when cell quality is paramount.

www.rathboneenergy.com

sales@rathboneenergy.com

800-223-1775 Sales

865-484-1783 Office & Sales

865-484-1785 Fax

865-803-4430 (Verizon In Network with Picture and Text)

An SBA Certified HubZone Empowered Business and potential tax incentive for your company.

 

 

 

3. Re-cell all 4 of the old ProPacs, and start saving for when they die again. =)

 

Any other options that you experienced people have?

I'm trying to do this cheap, but professional...

 

Bryan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm a re-celling fan. Check out this link

 

http://www.batteriesplus.com

 

I did 4 of my mini bricks thru them, here locally, and they are running great, and the price was right. $89 each. I asked them once about the regular sized bricks, and they quoted me a price, which wasn't that much more. Can't remember.

 

If there's a store locally for you, it saves you the shipping.

 

Look into different chargers too, something with a cycling feature. I have a frezzi 2100A, which does wonders for keeping ni-cad batteries alive and healthy. (It also does Ni-Mh)

 

There are cheaper alternatives for chargers too. Like R/C Car chargers. A lot of them do from 1-24 cells, charge and discharge. That would be a good one to keep at home on the workbench to tech them out. Mr McConkey posted a while ago about some findings he had. May be worth looking into.

 

Take Care,

Chip