PRO2 Battery - Any reason why this is a bad idea?

[William Demeritt]

On my Pro Gen 2 battery hanger, with the shape and dimensions of newer batteries, I've been annoyed how Dionics and even Hytron batteries sit a few centimeters to the right (starboard?), which creates issues hitting dynamic balance on the sled before payload. So the idea hit me the other day: "what if the battery paddle itself was just flipped?"

 

The battery paddle itself has a cut so the Anton Bauer plates sit a tiny bit to the right, and the batteries themselves always sit a bit to the right as well. The paddle itself is symmetrical, so rolling it on the X-axis 180 degrees was inconsequential as far as remounting it. The bridge and screw that goes beneath it still mates with the paddle to remove the tilt just fine. With the exception of reminding myself that, on my power blocks, all of the rear battery positions are now inverted (bottom is now top, etc), I can't think of a reason why this could be detrimental.

 

The benefit now is, as pictured, pretty much exactly what I wanted. The batteries' CG now sits almost exactly in line with the CG of the lower junction box and monitor. Also, as an added bonus, as I am normal stance, I can roll the steadicam left and see the battery levels on the Anton Bauer readouts.

 

Anyone else have a thought on why I should immediately return it to status quo? Is there something mechnically I am overlooking or should reconsider?

[RonBaldwin]

Are they now centered...I tried that when I got my sled and there was a reason that escapes me now why I went ahead and made new plates. Maybe because the front one would still be off (but less of an issue with 1 vs 3 of course).

[William Demeritt]

The two batteries are now more centered, yes. The battery underneath the post is still off, but I generally try to fly 2 batteries for most setups. I get away with it most times, with only a few exceptions. I think 2 out of 3 ain't bad, until I upgrade to a Gen 3 battery hanger at least.

 

The photo from above was the only way to try to show how the batteries are now a bit closer to center. I'll probably try to find the CG on the batteries to verify what visually looks accurate to me. EDIT: geometrically, on the Dionic HC's, the CG of the battery is almost exactly where you'd think it should be: dead center of the battery, equidistant from each wall.

 

The photo of the 3rd battery position under the post shows how far off most of the batteries looked prior to me flipping the battery paddle.

[RonBaldwin]

By flipping the plate are the batts the same amount off in the opposite direction?

[William Demeritt]

By flipping the plate are the batts the same amount off in the opposite direction?

When I first did it, I thought they were less offset, but logically it just started conflicting for me. When I get home, I'll try to measure it to see where it sits.

[Christopher Moone]

Ron, You made new AB plates? Or did you build an offset to mount them to. Just curious.

[Victor Lazaro]

If you flip only one of the two batt plates on the back they should counter balance them when you fly two batteries. That's how the Archer 2 is built and it works pretty well.

[RonBaldwin]

I made new plates as well as moving it a half inch back so the fore/aft wasn't maxed out with the tb6 extended a few more inches. The Fracol foot/base also helps.

[Lawrence Karman]

Did you sell a kidney to buy one of Greg's fine HD levels??

[nick franco]

He paid for it by only filling the Hummer half way.

[RonBaldwin]

Fuel is overrated, being level is not ;-) . An old fart hack like me needs all the help he can get (plus, I still have one kidney!)