Premium Members Stew Cantrell Posted October 31, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I just picked up my Cinelive from GPI PRO's new spot up in Oregon (it's gorgeous). I upgraded from a Pro1 and, in preparation of the upgrade, had Terry West make me a new power cable for my Preston MDR1. When we hooked it up to the sled to test it before I left and saw it was not powering on. I called Terry, who is awesome, and he built and overnighted me another cable right away. That cable did not resolve the issue. At PRO we tested all the outputs and they all send out power, so I don't think it is the sled. I plugged up the MDR to my old sled, and it still works, so the MDR isn't fried. Terry was very thorough before he sent out both cables, so I don't believe it is the cable. Does anyone have an idea of what could be the issue? Luckily, I was just notified, on my first job with this new set up (Sunday) they are using a FI+Z 3 anyways. But I still would like to find a solution quickly. Any help is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted October 31, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Since you know for a fact the MDR works, you know the circuit isn't completing somewhere else along the line. When you were in Pro you made sure the battery had power, that it was on the correct position (camera), and that everything was seated properly, including the jumper block, the centerpost cable, etc....? Then did you meter the power coming from the connector on the upper j box to make sure it is receiving power, and that it is on the correct pin? Then plug the cable into the j box and meter the other end, making sure you are receiving power, and on the correct pin. Somewhere the circuit isn't completing, just keep eliminating possible components and you'll find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alan Rencher Posted November 1, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 If you have a multimeter, test the pins on all the connectors at each point in the pipeline. You should be able to find the fault that way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jarrett P. Morgan Posted November 1, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Another thought for you:It is possible that the cable that Terry made you is a 24V cable and that the sled is in 12v mode. That could explain how you can get no power, but everything still test good. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted November 1, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Jarrett makes an excellent point. I always think in terms of 12v when powering accessories off the rig, so I forget that Preston can take higher voltage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jarrett P. Morgan Posted November 1, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Brian, I do the same so I know I can also provide them power. I think MDR1 cables are more likely to be made 24v as some of them existed before the voltage upconverter (and without the microwave transceiver) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Stew Cantrell Posted November 1, 2014 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 From what it sounds like, he might have wired the cable wrong. The cable he made is 12v, and the MDR1 might be 24v. Contacting Preston and the original owner of the MDR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Stew Cantrell Posted November 1, 2014 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 But, yes I did make sure the sled was switched to the correct voltage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted November 2, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 2, 2014 Mdr 1 needs 24v, Preston used to make an up-converter box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted November 2, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 2, 2014 http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=14801 See here, black box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Stew Cantrell Posted November 4, 2014 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Jens, you're right! I was contacted back by the original owner a few days ago and he said it was 24v, and Preston emailed me back today and confirmed it (with a nice wiring diagram). All the info was sent to Terry and I should hopefully have a new cable soon! Thanks everyone for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Stew Cantrell Posted November 6, 2014 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Well, I got my new cable from Terry which should be able to send 12v or 24v and it is still not working. I'm totally puzzled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted November 7, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 You'll only get 24 if the sled is set 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted November 7, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Get a Preston converter used of the forum.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alan Rencher Posted November 7, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 You can always use a booster circuit to get 24V when running 12V on your sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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