AB batteries. The minimum you should own for your kit?

[Andre Trudel]

Here is a total newbie question and probably pretty logical. I figured I would ask anyways and get the opinion of the pros. I don't operate that match. I have a different career but want to start operating steadicam whenever possible. I bought a 2722 charger and 2 AB Hytron 100's a few years ago. One of them is brand new and has never been charged. I will be selling them with my efp rig soon and need a power option.

The current AB sale is pretty amazing. I have a pro 2 sled. For 12v work I plan on running just 2 batteries at a time. What are your recommendations. What model should I go with? What is the minimum amount I should buy?

Thanks.

[Alan Rencher]

At minimum you should have two sets of batts: one set on the sled, one off. Since batteries discharge faster than they charge, you should have at least 3 sets of batts: One set on the Sled, one set charging, and one set charged and ready.

[Victor Lazaro]

I would do 6 batteries (3 sets like alan said).

Keep in mind that the Dionic HC and 90 are the only ones that can fly easily without restrictions.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Few thoughts. The battery you bought a few years ago and has never been charged is probably no good. For long term storage you want your AB Batts sitting on a charger.

 

As for how many batteries you should carry, I suggest as many as you can afford. the last thing you want is production sitting around waiting for your batteries to charge. HD cameras are power hungry, and then there are the accessories that you have to power. Follow Focus, Transmitters, and anything else that the AC and DP hang on the camera. I carry 12 batteries. and have charger positions for 10, also all my chargers are simultaneous and they are fast chargers. the 27xx series from AB work great.

 

Think of it this way. 1 set on the rig, one set as backup, one set on the chargers and the set everyone forgets the set that just died and you don't have time to get back to the charger

[John Stout]

We subscribe to Eric's plan as well.

 

We have 8 of the HCs, 4 of the HCXs and 3 of the TM4 chargers. We have just recently switched to AB as we are also switching to a full PRO rig.

 

We have had IDX V Mount and they have been rock solid. We have not had any of the dropping problems others have. However, we needed to be more "standard" with the groups we work with and very few have V Mount. All have AB so we made the switch.

 

If we can scrape a few more dollars together before the B&H sale ends at the end of March we are probably going to by a few more and another charger. They are almost buy one get one free based on the great price they are currently offering and that is just too good to pass up and not stock up.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

5 sets and a TM4 charger

[Andre Trudel]

Thanks guys.

 

Eric, the information about my never used Hytron 100 really sucks. I bought two of them in 2009 and only used one lightly. The one I have used has not been stored on a charger. I’ve been practicing with it recently and it seems to have the same operating time while holding its charge normally. I’m going to contact AB on Monday to see what they suggest. Lesson learned, I will keep my batteries on the charger from now on.

 

Like I said earlier, I haven’t operated in years and even when I did, it was not consistent. I don’t want to buy too many batteries because I’m still only going to operate part time. As I understand it, li lon technology doesn’t store as well as NiMH.

 

Guess I have a few days to really think about it. Thanks again for the info.

Edited March 2, 2014 by Andre Trudel

[Andre Perron SOC]

Thanks guys.

 

Eric, the information about my never used Hytron 100 really sucks. I bought two of them in 2009 and only used one lightly. The one I have used has not been stored on a charger. I’ve been practicing with it recently and it seems to have the same operating time while holding its charge normally. I’m going to contact AB on Monday to see what they suggest. Lesson learned, I will keep my batteries on the charger from now on.

 

Like I said earlier, I haven’t operated in years and even when I did, it was not consistent. I don’t want to buy too many batteries because I’m still only going to operate part time. As I understand it, li lon technology doesn’t store as well as NiMH.

 

Guess I have a few days to really think about it. Thanks again for the info.

You might want to get some info about "re-celling" those batteries IF they don't hold charges anymore (and finding that out on a set while shooting that 4 minutes long oner might not be the perfect time to do so).

 

Where are you based at?

[Andre Perron SOC]

Did you read this thread?

http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=19932

[Lawrence Karman]

I have 8 Dionic HC batts and have never run out of juice. That is my reccomendation. I tried going with only 6 a few years ago and got nervous a few times but never ran out.

[Tom Wills]

I find 8 or 9 Dionic 90s to be the perfect number, when I fly 2 on my rig. I figure 6 for my rig for my rig (2 on rig, 2 on charge, 2 in the bag on my stand), and another set of 2 or 3 (again, one in use, one on standby, one on charge) for whatever gak I end up powering with my batteries - director's monitor, video village receiver, little LED panel, whatever.

[Victor Lazaro]

Also for those times when you can't properly charge your batteries on location, it always gets tight when you load that last hot brick.

[Alan Rencher]

I'm selling two Dionic 90s right now.