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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Dual battery system - swap without re-boot?

D

Douglas Underdahl

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Hey

Anyone want an inexpensive dual battery system, one that would allow you to swap batteries but keep the camera powered up so that you don't have to shut down and re-boot?

Batteries would be $70 each
Charger, 15 minute smart unit, $99

Adapter with mount to 19mm or 15mm rails, two batteries, $395

???

Douglas Underdahl
www.longvalleyequip.com

Nikon mount on RED here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhmolBMtDzg&feature=related
 
batts cheap

batts cheap

aners: DeWalt.. power tool batts. usually lion in 24v though there are a lotta power tool batts out there which have been used by Steadi an film cams for years with adapters... adapt to red would make sense for the part of the mkt who are very price concious...
TJ
 
hey Douglas. great video. I hope the Birger switch out is just as easy...

do you have any Pelang 8mm lenses in stock? or would ebay be the best bet.

Mike
 
Sorry, Duwall is of cause the actor...
Seems my brain hurts from all the excitement of finally getting my #430 tracking number :-)
 
Doug are you refering to the dewalt system you show on your website. I think it is a good idea but is there enough jam in the dewalts to power the camera and accessories properly? Are you thinking the 12V dewalts or a 14.4, 18 or 24 Volt battery that has a voltage regulated system that takes it down to 12volt?

I am very interested in this and I assume many others would also be but some camera run times with this set up would need to be tested. If it all shapes up to work well I am in like flint!

One note if you are doing this check into the possibility of having it be a home depot "RIDGID" system. Mainly because Home Depot has a program you can sign up for when you buy a new ridgid drill or other product that covers the tool and battery for life. I have already traded in batteries for brand new ones 3 times under this program.
 
Hey

My guess is that two 14.4 volt batteries would drive the camera for about as long as one existing RED battery. Of course, I would do real world tests first. But the camera would be able to run on one battery so you could swap bats and not have to power down and re-boot.

There are lots of power tool battery systems out there, and the newer ones are Li-ion. I've had excellent results with the DeWalt Ni-Cads over the years. The batteries are incredibly durable, long lasting, and inexpensive, and the 15 minute fast charger has been a shoot saver over and over.

Doug
 
Are these the same batteries that can be seen on your website?
Could you give us some idea of the weight of the mount with two batteries?
 
Yes, they are the batteries you can see on my site. For a better look, Google DeWalt batteries, specifically the XR 14.4 models. I don't know what the weight is but I would say that two of them weigh about as much as one RED battery.
 
I like this idea, if you an keep me from having to turn off my camera. I am all for it and I would it.
 
Hi Douglas,
I've purchased from you in the past and dealing with you has always been great. I know you do custom parts, I am curious if you might offer a solution for a 19mm to 15mm adapter problem. I am interested in the redrock followfocus but the red conversion is far over priced and adds to much weight. Would you by chance have a more simple solution for this?
 
Finner - so it would take 4 DeWalts to equal one RED battery? Hmm. So you would get 1 hour of operation from 2 DeWalts? Then you swap out the batteries one by one, and the camera stays on all the time. Four batteries at $70 each, dual battery mount for 15mm or 19mm rods for $395, 15 minute fast charger is $99? Would that work, or maybe just a single DeWalt battery adapter so that the cam would stay on when you swap RED batteries?

Peter - yeah, I'm always looking to make up new gear. Send me a sketch.
 
Doug where I see the money is in block batteries with a cable that will last 6 or more hours. Most productions are use to using block batteries and even most dolly's come with a designated space for them. A good sized rechargeable block battery that sells for $750-$1,000 would sell like crazy. No idea what the costs would be to build them though? Hey I'm just the idea guy.

Check out "DOLLY PACK" batteries there is also a company in LA that makes more of a plastic pelican looking block but I forget the name.
 
A Pelican style Block battery is SOOOOO easy to make it's retarded. I made a ton a few years ago with built in chargers for less than $100 a peice. The problem here is that until Red has some kind of voltage monitoring system It's impossible for the camera to know the batteries condition so the camera can shutdown without warning.
 
GT-TS hot-swap v-lock dual battery adapter from BatteriesForBroadcast.

http://www.batteries4broadcast.com/extras_cart.htm

scroll to lower-right of page.

Powers great. Swaps just fine. No battery status on camera. Will affect side-to-side balance on a steadicam.

Michael
 
I have and use the AB hot swap dual adapter. Usually, by the time I realize one is low it is too late....both are low. I end up having to re-boot. If it were more intelligent it might work more effectively.
 
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