Ritter recelled hc batteries on new AB chargers?

[RonBaldwin]

Hello all

I have a question about the compatibility of the new AB performance series chargers and recelled batteries from a third party. I am sure they will still charge but will all the battery monitoring/display recalibration bs still work?

 

Thanks, Ron

[John Ritter]

[RonBaldwin]

Hi John -- I saw this on your page. Just wanted a yes or no. So, I am guessing that the answer is "yes, there is no difference at all and all the charging, monitoring and calibration functions on the new chargers will be the same as a stock AB battery."

 

Just wanted to confirm this before I replace my gimpy tm-4 charger with the new fancy one and send 8 hc-90's and 4 d-160's your way.

 

Thanks Ron

[John Ritter]

Hi Ron

 

I assumed that you are looking for feedback from other users, I only posted the chart for general information on the charger spec.

 

I do not know who else is using any of the newer Performance or LP model chargers at this time.

 

Hopefully some other folks will chime in????

 

Regards John

[RonBaldwin]

Thanks John -- I have always heard fantastic things about your service and will be sending stuff your way soon...just wanna treat my batts right and knowing that AB most likely does not like third parties working on their stuff, I was wondering if there was some sort of incompatibility when tinkered with. Perhaps a conspiracy theory.

 

I never doubted they would charge, just wondered about other features. You are correct that I'd love to hear some feedback from other clients. I also assumed you might have tried the charger out -- the silly boom box looking thing has been out a while I think.

 

Ron

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Just received back ten Dionic HCs I sent to John. His turn-around was astonishingly quick (two days at his shop plus shipping). He was in good communication throughout the process. The batteries arrived nicely packed as if new and looked as if the casings had never been opened which is a nice touch. He re-labeled my information on the side of each battery (since he had to remove my stickers) and frankly, it looks better than my label! He also added a nice sticker that sates when each battery was re-celled.

 

He uses genuine Samsung cells that are rated for a continual draw of up to 10AMPs and each battery gained a little capacity too (as well a little weight; 30.5 Ounces - up from 28.9). My chargers (older style) recognized all the batteries and charged them. I'll add that the "number of cycles" on each battery does not reset nor does the date put into service which is fine with me. John lists on the invoice the serial number and number of cycles for each battery when he receives them so you can calculate the number of cycles since a re-cell easily enough.

 

Of course the true test is how well they function in the field but I vetted John heavily before ordering these and all the reviews were spectacular. I've been a long time Anton Bauer customer (over 20 years) and I've always bought new directly from them. Sadly, the Dionic HC has been discontinued (you can still get them at B&H but for $495/each!) and Anton Bauer no longer makes a battery with a suitable form factor for a three battery sled that mounts them horizontally (PRO/XCS). While some people might like the new Cine 90s, I found them to be too big! I wrote an extensive write up for Anton Bauer about these batteries and why I don't like them (too much weight, they move the gimbal too low on the sled, etc, etc) but sadly no changes were made.

[Lawrence Karman]

I've had my Dionic HC's recalled 2 times already by Ritter and both times the results were excellent. My only complaint is this last time in a few of the batteries the cells tend to shift around inside. While this has not presented itself as a balance problem I would suggest , if he's monitoring this thread, to pack them more tightly inside the shells.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

"Anton Bauer no longer makes a battery with a suitable form factor for a three battery sled that mounts them horizontally (PRO/XCS)"

 

BTW, the XCS sled does not care about battery size, you can use all kinds in every position, including the new A/B Digital 90.

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Jens, so can a PRO 3. I'm talking about wanting to use them! Like I said, some people may like them. I found them too big and unwieldy. They hang down too low and lower your gimbal away from the camera. Sure, you could use two instead of three but then you are giving up serious watt hours.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

Yes, completely agree with you on that Anton Bauer missed the mark for the STEADICAM world with any of their new batteries. Unfortunately.

[John Ritter]

I've had my Dionic HC's recalled 2 times already by Ritter and both times the results were excellent. My only complaint is this last time in a few of the batteries the cells tend to shift around inside. While this has not presented itself as a balance problem I would suggest , if he's monitoring this thread, to pack them more tightly inside the shells.

 

YES, you are correct we did have a flaw with our cell pack moving inside the HC & HCX case due to foam compression over time and from heat.

This was an unexpected result that came up.

The foam spacer cushion we were using would tend to compress allowing the cells assembly to shift/move freely inside the case

We have now switched to a double stick foam tape to resolve this issue.

I will do a free warranty repair on any of them that are in this condition.

 

Regards John Ritter

Ritter Battery C0.

www.ritterbattery.com

[Beau Cuizon]

It sucks that A/B aren't making DIonic HC's anymore...but I feel a lot better knowing that Mr. John Ritter is still re-celling them. I've had a number of HC's/90's re-celled, and they've all worked flawlessly, with one exception...a re-celled 90 failed to charge on occasion...I notified Mr. Ritter, detailed the problem, and he immediately (same day as the email arrived) sent out a replacement Dionic 90 from his own stock, no questions asked. It arrived in the mail shortly thereafter. Of course, it was still within the 12 month warranted period (just a week shy of the one-year anniversary of the re-cell service) but it certainly demonstrated to me that he and his team deserve the kudos and reputation that we see so often here on the forum. Communication, service, troubleshooting, and technical advice has all been excellent.

 

He even helped our station dispose of (40) ProPac 13's/14's, and Trimpacs, while re-celling a couple of Hytron 120/140's...those run full charge/discharge cycles 5 days a week , on in-studio and ENG handheld cameras, no problem.

 

All in all, very happy with Mr. Ritter...and good to know there is still life to be had in legacy AB products....

 

...which makes me wonder...why did A/B discontinue HC's? Was it low demand, or...?

[Lawrence Karman]

ditto on the great service from John Ritter!

[Victor Lazaro]

My understanding is that the Dionic series batteries are not following the new regulations in place and they had to redesign them with a separator between each cell, hence the added weight and size.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

Other major companies, like IDX still have smaller Batteries in their program, unfortunately just in V mount.