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D-Taps on Battery Plate

Jarred Land

Jarred Land

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We are receiving complaints that people are plugging in external accessories through the D-tap upside down, and blowing up monitors etc.

You can easily plug D-Tap cables in upside down and reverse the polarity, which can be damaging if not fatal for both camera and the accessory you are trying to power..

Please be careful when you plug in D-taps... they are a pretty standard power port that most people have seen before, and the problem relates to any device that uses d-taps (not just Red). It might sound obvious, but it is happening out there and people are expecting us to be liable for repair. Plugging stuff in backwards isn't under warranty, but we really do feel bad when it happens :)
 
I have no experience with D-taps or even know what one looks like (sounds like I'm not the only one! :-) I wonder if some kind of warning label or polarity marking logo would reduce this type of call?

Update: I guess this is an example:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/485555-REG/IDX_FS_CABLE_KIT_FSCABLEKIT_Dual_D_Tap_Cable.html

It is unfortunate that anyone allowed a DC power connector that is reversable, to become a standard. I guess it was originally intended just for lights, which could work either way? On the other hand, I've heard a fair number of people have killed their camcorder's 4-pin mini-firewire port by jamming the cable in upside down, so I guess "idiot-proofing" is hard.
 
Other cameras that I have worked with have all the power taps only able to plug one way making it impossible to reverse the polarity. Is it not possible to use taps like this when most accesories are very expensive and idiot proof taps are a necessity.
 
Jarred,
FYI- All of my d-taps EXCEPT Red do not allow the cable to be plugged in the wrong way. You should talk to your vendor about this, it looks like the design needs a fix. I posted a request that this should be addressed about a month ago.

NOTE TO RED USERS:
The d-tap is clearly labeled with a + and -...the connector also has the same.

BE SURE TO CHECK POLARITY BEFORE PLUGGING THE CABLE IN

I have taped over my connector w/ red gaffers tape to prevent an accident, as you shouldnt be able to plug this in backwards.
 
The plug has a flair to it so you are only able to plug it in one way, BUT from what I heard the RED's port is a little to lose on the tolerance of that flair, and so with a big enough hammer you can get it in upside down. I haven't confirmed this with my own eye it's just heresay
 
Mike Prevette said:
The plug has a flair to it so you are only able to plug it in one way, BUT from what I heard the RED's port is a little to lose on the tolerance of that flair, and so with a big enough hammer you can get it in upside down. I haven't confirmed this with my own eye it's just heresay
Click to expand...

Mike, You do not need a hammer. The D-tap will connect as easily the wrong way as the correct way. It is not possible to do this with any other D-tap port.
 
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you guys are all right.. Dtaps are named Dtaps because they are supposed to be keyed with the shape of a "D".

problem is, depending on what cable you use (who its made by) , you can plug it in backwards. This is not a Red only problem, I have a Varicam here, and Anton and IDX plates that all accept the D tap backwards.

Trust me.. we saw this 8 months ago when we first got our plates and I screamed bloody murder... only to realize its actually there isnt much we can do about it (except get rid of the D-tap all together)
 
btw- this is somthing I pointed out to my staff-
When inserted the correct way you can hear a subtle click, when inserted the wrong way you wont hear the click. Just something to keep in mind.

Hopefully this will be fixed though.
 
Jarred,
You guys should talk to Anton Bauer. They are making a RED specific AB plate complete with LEMO connector...this should be ready anytime now and Red should consider adding this as an option. For now I have covered the RED D-tap and we only use the AB D-tap which works correctly.
 
Jarred:

I just went back and checked my IDX plates, F900rs and varicams. It is impossible for me to plug them in backwards.

We are not using Knock off cable ends, so might that be the problem, and not the camera side?
 
I had these non standard "Chineese" D-Taps on my steadicam batteries.

The fix was to apply a few drops of superglue on the inside of the connector to get it in spec.
Not only does the connector have a D shape, but the two power pins are mounted off center, towards the straight side.
431644.jpg


Not that it should be nesscesary.....
 
digitalfx said:
Jarred,
You guys should talk to Anton Bauer. They are making a RED specific AB plate complete with LEMO connector...this should be ready anytime now and Red should consider adding this as an option. For now I have covered the RED D-tap and we only use the AB D-tap which works correctly.
Click to expand...

we have.. all our battery plates can take a Vlock or Anton Bauer plate.. there are mounting holes for both.

I like your idea of swapping out the V-lock D-tap for a AB plate w/ Lemo.. would solve this issue really quick.
 
here is another solution...super glue this to your RED :)

but seriously, this will not allow reverse connections, as long as you are sure the single connector to your RED is correct.
We use this to power multiple devices.
 
I like that idea very much as well as with the speed things on set a problematic D tap will cause constant issues.

Does this mean RED is considering changeing the bad D taps to Lemo's on all the camera bodies?
 
Finner said:
I like that idea very much as well as with the speed things on set a problematic D tap will cause constant issues.

Does this mean RED is considering changeing the bad D taps to Lemo's on all the camera bodies?
Click to expand...

I think you and Jarred have read Greg's post the wrong way. I interpreted his post to read that Anton Bauer will be supplying an AB plate with a lemo tail to connect to the camera. I'm sure the AB plate itself will have the standard D-tap port.

I hope the AB plate will have the ability to provide the power remaining readout on the camera LCD rather than 'AC'
 
Rocketeer said:
I think you and Jarred have read Greg's post the wrong way. I interpreted his post to read that Anton Bauer will be supplying an AB plate with a lemo tail to connect to the camera. I'm sure the AB plate itself will have the standard D-tap port.

I hope the AB plate will have the ability to provide the power remaining readout on the camera LCD rather than 'AC'
Click to expand...


correct-- The AB mount will include the lemo cable to plug in the back of the Red...and yes I hope it supports the power reading as well.
 
My bad i did mess up the wording, I meant to say " switch out the V lock with the new lemo from AB. AB's plate's Dtap is very tight and its very hard to put in the plug backwards ( although it is still possible).

Just to be clear.. we are not thinking of removing the D-taps off the red V-Lock.

Red did anticipate people wanting to use AB plates, which is why we including AB bolt patterns.
 
Maybe the user manual should have a warning in Physical Controls section for newbies like me:

CAUTION:
BE SURE TO CHECK POLARITY BEFORE PLUGGING THE CABLE IN.
The d-tap is clearly labeled with a + and -...the connector also has the same.
Plugging the cable in the wrong way may result in equipment failure.
 
I have seen this problem mostly on the SWIT brand battery plates. The tolerances don't seem to be adhered to as tightly as IDX or Anton Bauer. When making cables, I opt only for the true Anton Bauer Power tap plug. IDX offered me a sample a while back I said thanks, but I'll stick with the what I've been using. I have seen the imitation Power-tap plugs fit reversed in an Anton Bauer plate as well. There are other places you can save money, not in the connectors which power your camera or accessories or should I call it... your investment.

Recently, I ran across a problem with a SWIT V-lock plate which the battery was able to "wiggle" loose, and the camera would shut down. By substituting the V-lock Ass'y from an IDX plate, the problem was resolved.

Jarred, has the IDX pattern been included as well?
 
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