Lite vs Heavy batteries

[Jon Beattie]

this is less a question about which battery system people prefer. I've read many of those topics. This is more a question about the weight of batteries. I've been looking at AB hyrtons 120/140's. They seem to be a good choose that lot of people like. and I've looked at mixing steadicam powercubes and idx e10 batteries.

 

as far as batteries go they both seem to be able to handle just about any load you may put on them. I know the temp issues both can have and the capacity lose each can have based on their type.

 

I just look at the difference in weight. the AB's weigh 4.5-5.5lbs each. the powercubes/e10's weigh 1.7-2lbs. so running 3 powercubes is 6lbs and 3 hytrons is 15lbs. its a given the powercubes will be less stressful on the op.

 

But when it comes to balancing and inertia this is where the biggest difference may come out. the heavier battery may be more stable but slower to maneuver. and the opposite with the lighter batteries.

 

So after getting through all that. is it an issue for balancing heavier cameras with lighter batteries (ie a decked out 435 or one of the monster hd's)? i'm sure there has to be some personal preference with how each makes the rig feel. I'm leaning more toward the powercubes and the e10's.

 

Thoughts?

[Anthony Violanto]

I would say personal preference. If you want to run your rig shorter, you will have to use the heavier batteries. If you want it longer (thats what she said), you can get away with less battery weight. I am torn on what I like better. The more veteran ops I share a rig with run 2 AB dionics, and a AB propac on the very bottom. This seams to be a pretty easy way to make the rig really short, but it also puts the gimbal a little lower than I prefer.

[Dan Coplan]

I fly with Trimpacs for my sled (camera & accessories) - relatively compact but a good weight, and Hytron 50's for my monitor. Depending on the camera, I may add another Trimpac or Hytron 50 for counter balance. I think it's good to have a combo of batts. On the rare occasion I would need something beefier, I'd get production to rent bricks. This hasn't happened yet, though.

 

Dan

[Jon Beattie]

ok so a heavier battery will alough me to run the rig shorter. Thats something that will weigh into my choose. Being 6'4" a shorter setup will be better for running and tracking all those tiny meat puppets.

[Jess Haas SOC]

If you want lighter batteries in either AB or V-Mount you can always go with the global media pro batteries. They have AB mount lithium ion batteries starting at just over a pound.

 

I havn't used them myself but I am planing on ordering some to replace my trimpacks at some point.

 

They have weight specs and stuff on their website: http://www.globalmediapro.com/do/product/1141

 

~Jess

[Anthony Violanto]

ok so a heavier battery will alough me to run the rig shorter. Thats something that will weigh into my choose. Being 6'4" a shorter setup will be better for running and tracking all those tiny meat puppets.

 

I am 6'3" and running the rig shorter will not really lower the lens height. The heavier batteries will just be further from the ground, if that makes sense. You need to extend the lower part of the rig (below the gimbal) to compensate for the weight above the gimbal.

 

In fact, if you go out and just buy heavy batteries, in some cases you might be raising the camera height a little bit, because you will be lowering the gimbal to compensate for all the weight on the bottom of the rig.