New sled upgrade from cramped attic

[Brett Manyluk]

Greetings all,

 

I just wanted to share a project I had going with David Hable at Cramped Attic. I'd been needing to change out the base my EFP for one that dynamically balances properly for quite some time. Dave had done a 2 battery 12/24volt upgarde for modest money several years ago, but it used the existing rails on the EFP base and had it's limitations. So, we put our heads together and he produced what we think is an awesome upgrade.

 

It has:

-3 battery 12/24 volt capability

-batteries can be run traditional PRO style or in series for pigs like the Genesis

-15mm rods can slide in and out for Dynamic balance.

-Rear Batteries Swivel 180 degrees top to bottom. Super stiff when they're locked.

-3rd battery under post slides fore and aft independent of the the other 2

-Gyro power out

-4 pin XLR power out

-recorder power & video out (from Video distribution amp)

-4 pin Hirsoe power & video out (from Video distribution amp) for transmitter

-BNC out (from Video distribution amp)

-8 pin LEMO power, video, talley out (from Video distribution amp)

-BNC out from separate HDSDI line (can be looped back up post as a secondary SD video feed at the top)

-voltage read out that shows each battery voltage separately or the combined 24 volt.

-2 brightness walking light (super handy)

-Very rigid battery system. Can easily hold 3 Propacks without flex.

-with a small mod, stainless or carbon fiber rods could be used instead of aluminum.

 

The collar that was made for my Carbon Fiber 1.5" post was not made for quick release on my sled due to cabling llimitations at the top of my post, but I'm sure his handy machinist could design a clamping system for any size post. Dave is a custom builder and can easily adapt to whatever his client wants. Different connections, no problem. Different shape, no problem. All it takes is some brain juice and money to lubricate the machinery of design. (He also seems to like Barossa reds).

 

I've had it out in the field for a few weeks and am happy to say it lives up to the Cramped Attic reputation.

 

PLEASE NOTE: I am not in the rig manufacturing business. This was something that met my financial means for the upgrade of my particular sled and is not intended to be the latest or greatest. I'm sharing with all of you as a gesture of goodwill and to further the knowledge in our collective community. I'm thrilled to hear feedback and answer questions about it.

 

I hold the variety of manufacturers in very high esteem. I hope someday soon to be sitting on enough spare cash to have my pick of the the top rigs.

 

Good? Good.

 

And now some pictures:

[Brett Manyluk]

Another one

[Brett Manyluk]

and another

Edited July 13, 2007 by Brett Manyluk

[Brett Manyluk]

And with the little HVX 200 and 1 dionic

[Elliott Yancey]

Brett,

 

Nice design! Is the third battery independent from the other two as far as voltage? If you only use two batteries (one on the back and one under the post) does that give you two separate 12 volt systems? That would be nice I think as far as battery life goes. I thought the rig looked very heavy at first but then I saw you flying the HVX. What springs do you have in your EFP? I have successfully flown an ARRI 435 but I had problems with the HVX using red springs. The HVX was too light (drop time way too fast), we actually strapped a sandbag to the camera just to add some weight. It worked fairly well but your setup looks a lot more comfortable. I have been thinking of modifying my EFP to 24 volts so this looks like a good system to solve the Dynamic balance issue. If you don't mind me asking, what was your cost for this setup? How long did it take to manufacture? How long was your rig down for the installation? Sorry for all the questions but I am very interested. I may have to give your boys a call.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Elliott Yancey

Edited July 13, 2007 by Elliott Yancey

[Brett Manyluk]

Elliott,

 

So the third battery can be run separately where one is for monitor power independant of the others (cleanly), and the other two are for camera and accessory power, or all three (or two, depending) can be run in series for extra oomph. The sled delivers 12 and 24 volt power at the same time (as long as 2 batteries are used), but Dave can also build in an inverter for 1 battery 12 & 24volt if you want (I just didn't need it that way).

 

As far as the HVX goes, I just added a big chunk of steel for about 12-15 more pounds up top to let it balance and fly better. I only have my EFP arm as a backup to my Baer Bel arm (which is a compression spring style like the PRO), but the springs are blue in my EFP. Even then, it's still really light.

 

This setup cost me about $5000 Cnd for the base with all the wiring and the R&D, so it's probably less. You'd have to talk to Dave at Cramped Attic (604) 254-8619. He also built a new junction box up top my post a few years back. It only took about a week and a half from final design to machine and install everything.

 

You could design whatever plugs you want for it and reduce the cost, or add to it. That's just how I set mine up.

[charlesneufeld]

Hey Brett,

 

Glad you like it! It was fun to build :)

 

However, at times I wondered, with the number of connectors and various electronic components in the base, if it all would fit...it is tight in there! haha But, I must say that it is solid as a rock, and has pretty much everything you could ever want.

 

How do you find the weight of it?

 

Great to see it in action though! Much better than on the bench ;)

 

~Charles