"Random" Initializing

[Justin Chin]

While testing the Red Cam (build 16 v3.2.5) for a shoot the camera suddenly "initialized" at random times.

In an effort to check on the problem performed a soak test with the camera turned on by itself; no lens, AC power, no drive and no interaction. Nothing for 20 minutes.

Then added a red drive. Nothing for 20 minutes.

Added a lens, 40 minutes later the camera repeated the problem with "INITIALIZING" burn-in on screen for about 1-2 minutes. The camera then will returned to normal but the LCD Pro had a blue tint. That blue tint goes away if you unplug / replug the LCD connector. The blue tint is what keyed us in to the issue as the camera might have done this without us attending it (around 4 times during our tests).

At first we thought it was a faulty power switch; you don't have to fully press in the switch to turn off/on the camera - i.e. no click sound. But I think the soak test eliminates that cause.

Also, I don't think adding the drive or the lens during the soak test is any evidence to their contribution to the problem.

Otherwise the camera works very well, and it only did that while we where sliding the matte box on the rails, or simply just by itself.

Any ideas?

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Sounds like the dreaded faulty bateryplates.

I had two go bad.

In case, it will turn off if you bump into the battery or generally swing the camera hard.
A strip or two of gaffa on the sides of the V and between the V and the connectors, often does the trick.

G

 

[Charlie Kuttner]

Thanks Gunleik,

I'm a partner in this camera, and I worked with earlier cameras with loose battery mounts. This battery mount on this camera is completely secure.

Also, the LCD went blue each time the camera re-initialized itself. The EVF color did not change. Unplugging, replugging the LCD cable solved the issue.

 

[filip kovcin]

Sounds like the dreaded faulty bateryplates.

I had two go bad.

In case, it will turn off if you bump into the battery or generally swing the camera hard.
A strip or two of gaffa on the sides of the V and between the V and the connectors, often does the trick.

G

i have (from time to time) the same situation. is it possible to send the photo of your battery plate with that gaffer tape on it. just to be sure.

thanks,
filip

 

[Gunleik Groven]

I don't have the gaffer tape on anymore... Got my plates replaced.

But it's a simple matter of testing and stabilizing the battery in a lock.

G

 

[filip kovcin]

I don't have the gaffer tape on anymore... Got my plates replaced.

But it's a simple matter of testing and stabilizing the battery in a lock.

G

Guneik,

sorry if i am sounding annoing, but can you tell me where you replaced your battery plates? from red? third party? DIY?

thanks,

filip

 

[Justin Chin]

Let me reitterate, the battery holder is NOT the problem, the camera was running off AC during the 4 to 5 times it engaged in the "initializing" mode. Also, the camera ISN'T powering down, it only immediately goes into the "initializing" mode.

I will also note that I have an Origo starting trigger on the camera in port A. I will pull it off the camera and do more tests.

 

[Ariana]

Were you off of house power directly or through a UPS?

I've seen house power cause all sorts of havoc with gear everytime the lights changed or something spiked. A USP fixes the problem.

 

[Justin Chin]

No, very good point. I was under the assumption that the Red charger/AC unit would compensate for slight browns and spikes. Moving forward I'll make sure a USP is a part of the kit - that just makes good sense anyway. Will test with one hooked up.

 

[Florian Stadler]

did you try with 2nd cable/AC Adapter?

 

[Justin Chin]

did you try with 2nd cable/AC Adapter?

Florian,
No I haven't. Currently, I don't have a 2nd cable and Adapter to test with.

Update: Battery test didn't trigger the "random initializing." I'm beginning to think that the AC adapter or cable is the culprit. I'm continuing my camera charting tests under AC and check to see if I can trigger the "initializing."

 

[Jeff Deveraux]

I've heard that the AC unit causes problems. I'm sure that is your problem.