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which basic voltage to choose.....


RobVanGelder

What batterie voltage and how much of them?  

35 members have voted

  1. 1. What batterie voltage and how much of them?

    • 12 volts 1 batt.
      2
    • 12 volts 2 batt.
      1
    • 12 volts 3 batt.
      0
    • 13,2 volts 1 batt.
      0
    • 13,2 volts 2 batt.
      0
    • 13,2 volts 3 batt.
      4
    • 14,4 volts 1 batt.
      5
    • 14,4 volts 2 batt.
      8
    • 14,4 volts 3 batt.
      13
    • other-please specify
      2


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My batteries are slowly giving up now, after 3 years. They are the NiMH (NP1-style) from Pag, 13,2 volts and did very well until now. The high temperatures here in Thailand don´t help much (self discharge) so I am looking for a new system or replacement.

 

My first question is: did anyone experience problems with 14.4 volts batteries when combined to make 28+ for the 435 and such?

I heard rumours that there was a chance to burn electronics in certain equipment because of the high initial voltage when just off the charger.

 

I have looked at the other posts about dionics and such but those are very expensive and also difficult to get here.

 

What are you all using? 12, 13.2, 14.4 volts?, 2/3 batteries?

I guess I can create a poll for that.

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

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The unique power supply on my Ultimate makes it possible to use 1, 2, or 3 batteries with the same result, just that the more batteries you use the longer they last before having to switch...

 

I usually use one Trimpac 14.4 and one Proformer 14.4 which works very well.

One Proformer will turn over and run a 435 at 150 frames for about 1.5 to 2.5 mags... on my sled. I tried. But when running Gyros I used 3 Proformers in the past...

 

The 435 has no issues up to 36 Volts but will run at, but will not start under, 24 Volts.

 

The only issues that came up using 14.4 Volt Batteries, in the past, is that you could blow up a Moviecam (Not with the Ultimate) specially when hot of the charger, as they are 20 Volt Cameras that will run on 12 Volt (specially the SL).

 

Some older models have no poli fuse to protect the main board and that is usually the first thing to go... If you ever get a Moviecam that has a 3 pin XLR it's almost certain that you will blow it if you use a 14.4 battery.

 

Most of the 4 pin XLR are okay and the 2 pin Fischer ones are upgraded with ARRI boards, so can handle the same current as the 535/435 Camera.

 

Good Luck with your battery choice...

 

PS: Can't stand the NP style batteries. Used to work in AudioVisual and we constantly had to change them and have a ton on charge... I know that is the past but the picture stuck with me...

 

 

Erwin Landau, SOC

www.landaucamera.com

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Thanks for your info Erwin.

 

You have at the same time addressed the problem more properly:

 

I have heard many good things about those Proformer batteries, but this is exactly the one batterie that is discontinued so it´s not an option anymore.

 

As I understand (I never had one in my hand) this batterie has a good size/weight to power ratio. What is comparable to them, nowadays.

 

My work is, until now, mostly film on 24 volts, so I have to be able to do 150fps stuff, though I might add that curiously enough that never happened. But it should be possible.

 

I have the feeling, and the poll already shows that, that a 14,4 volts system is the new way to go, now the 2 other major choices: NiMH or Li-ion?

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

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I just got the catalog from Aspen/Aspekt/AB and I find NiMH bricks rated at 60Wh/14.4V and they look like a good option.

Besides that, they can be charged on another brands charger (my PAG for instance) with an oppropriate plate.

 

Does anyone has an opinion on these "Bantam Bricks"?

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

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Hi Rob

i use also np1 but custom made

i had try in the past 14.4 v 3.2 a (0,900 Kgr)

 

it was wonderful battery but when i use it with SRIII (i don"t try 435)

the camera doesn"t switch on, and that bechause when the batterry is full

it have name voltage power about 16.6 volt so both of them is 33 volt SRIII have cut off on 32 V iam not sure but if i remember good in 435 manual says also 32V !

now i use 13.2 V /3.5 A (0,900 Kgr) and iam still verry happy with them

you can easy reccel the old batterys and now i believe that you can made more powerfull about 4 ah (new cels on the market)

 

Good Luck

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I have the feeling, and the poll already shows that, that a 14,4 volts system is the new way to go, now the 2 other major choices: NiMH or Li-ion?

 

Rod,

 

Do not use Li-ion, it does not power ARRI 435.

 

Check out with the Thai guy, where a place near China Town which sell Guns, near by there is a 2 storey shopping center, at 2nd storey a counter store who replaces new batteries, most of my Master film 14.4v Bateries changed there.

 

Good luck.

 

David :P ;)

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Who has experienced similar starting problems as George with SR3/435,535/Arricam when powered by 2 fresh 14,4 volts batteries ?

 

I never heard of this before but it is not impossible that some safetycircuit kicks in!

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

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  • 4 weeks later...
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So I went for a 2 battery system with convertor to 12 volts.

 

As my choise is limited here in Thailand and the import taxes high I bought from the local supplier from Aspen/AB and here is the result.

 

Runs 435 on 150 fps without problem (tried it with film) and it is reasonably compact. A bit more weight than the NP-1 style but a lot more power in return.

And I can always leave one battery off when shooting light 12 volt camera´s.

 

 

Rob van Gelder

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Hi TJ,

 

I could do this conversion because of the former owner of this rig had put those bars there for gyro´s. That made it very easy to fit another slider with the battery plates.

 

On the front you can see the 24 to 12 convertor, it´s of german origin I think and comes out of a marine-store, output max 10 amps.

 

One of the reasons to leave NP-1 behind was that it cannot cope with the higher drain anymore. HD camera´s are real power suckers, Arri´s are not happy with them too.

 

And although you can buy 50 to 60 Whr NP-1 packs, I heard from different sides that they have a short life.

 

Rob van Gelder

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