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24 volt wiring


Evan Barthelman

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I am re-wiring my 24volt EFP so that the power is available at the top of the sled, as it should have been when the 24volt mod was done originally. I have installed a 3-pin XLR and will be making (or will have made) custom cables for specific cameras as needed.

 

Here's the question: On those big "block" batteries, there is a 3-pin output for 24 volts and I would like to know what the wiring is to which pins. My thought is that I can use power cables designed for those external batteries, even if they are a bit long.

 

So is it pin ONE = negative

and TWO = positive?

or the other way around?

 

Any insight would be appreciated, and will get my rig back in one piece sooner.

 

Always learning,

-Evan

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Depends where you are.....

 

In Europe most of the time the 1-pin is minus (-) as it resembles a stripe = minus

24 volts on a 3 pin-Cannon : 1= minus, 2 = plus.

 

Moviecam is different from Arriflex, as is Panavision.

 

To be sure, check at your rentalhouse with a proper voltmeter.

 

However: In the USA it is different: I received once a power-cable from Preston with the 1 on the plus. That is the norm there, but don´t expect that to be like that always.

 

TEST before you connect any equipment.

 

I just had a shoot on an Indian feature and there configuration was totally different and would have caused a big problem if they ever needed local (Thai) batteries.

 

Having said that, I´ve seen different use of plugs (3/4/5-pin) between rental houses here........

 

TEST-TEST-TEST !!!!!

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Thanks Rob,

 

I'm not quite sure what you're message is, though... maybe I'll just do a few tests before plugging things in. ;)

 

I'll be making cables and having them made for me, but I just thought I'd give myself the best possible chance of using available cables in a pinch. I do mostly HD and video but have been getting more and more calls to fly film cameras. I'll wire it the "US" way since I live in LA and work here most of the time. And I'll always test first.

 

Multimeter at the ready,

Evan

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Thanks Rob,

 

I'm not quite sure what you're message is, though... maybe I'll just do a few tests before plugging things in.  ;)

 

 

 

 

Not sure what I am saying?

 

Just take nothing for granted, there´s a lot of strange wiring out there...... :)

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Evan,

 

Rob's right, it depends on where you are in the world.

 

In the UK, pin 1 is ground and pin 2 is +24 volts but I think in the States these two are swapped so you'll probably be making all your cables up as pin 1 +24volts and pin 2 ground.

 

A good thing to do is to make up a short (9") 3 pin male XLR to 3 pin female XLR cable, with pins 1 and 2 swapped over in the cable. Then you can just plug this in line, to convert any cable you have into the "other" type.

 

Good luck,

 

Paul

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Rob-

 

Yeah, I was just joking, I heard you loud and clear. I always have the ol' multimeter on hand if I have any questions. I just want a half a chance to get it right, but I'll make one of Paul's adaptor cables to have on hand just in case. Great idea.

 

It all worked out great, looks clean and should get me through the next year or so while working on my form and building my resume.

 

When testing the final result, however, I was a bit surprised to see over 33 volts coming from my paired Anton Bauer batteries! Is this going to be okay, or do I need to figure out how to build a voltage regulator?

 

Always one thing after the other, isn't it?

-Evan

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Rob-

 

When testing the final result, however, I was a bit surprised to see over 33 volts coming from my paired Anton Bauer batteries!  Is this going to be okay, or do I need to figure out how to build a voltage regulator?

 

Always one thing after the other, isn't it?

-Evan

 

Evan,

 

It's quite common for 14.4V batteries right off of the charger to have voltages as high as 16+ Volts. They drop down quite quickly just sitting there and even faster under load. No camera I am aware of will be damaged by this, so I wouldn't worry.

 

Jim "no overcharging here" Bartell

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