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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 :)

Are generators safe for powering EPIC?

Jeff, do you mean whether Epic can be powered with small portable generators running with fuel? If so, yes, I've run my camera with a Honda generator for years without any problems.

If I try to figure out what you have in mind, I could imagine that the voltage of the very cheap portable generators is not necessarily within the specs. Especially they may have rather big higher harmonic components that cause problems to the device plugged to such generator.
 
Cautionary note. Do not use the same generator to supply power to a HMI light as well as your camera. Electronic ballasts have got better over the years but the legend is that they are still not good partners to share a common supply with. If any other appliances are hooked up to the generator, it is likely best not to switch them on or off whilst your camera is connected. Train your crew accordingly.

Powering down the camera may not be enough. Powering down, then physically disconnecting the camera from the generator or distribution box may be your best friend when changes in the generator's loading are likely.
 
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use an UPS between cam and gen
 
Brian Merlen said:
use an UPS between cam and gen
Click to expand...

+1
Get a UPS with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation)
With AVR, changes in supply voltage (such as dips and brown-outs) are corrected without switching over to the battery.
 
Robert Hart said:
Powering down the camera may not be enough. Powering down, then physically disconnecting the camera from the generator or distribution box may be your best friend when changes in the generator's loading are likely.
Click to expand...

Yes, have the same view as Robert. Switching any other load on or off is not a good idea, as all other than purely resistive devices may feed power back to the 'network' when switched off. I always turn the generator first on, then switch on the camera, power the camera down, plug it off from the generator, and only then turn the generator off. Never plug anything else simultaneously to the generator.

As Brian and Todd suggests an UPS is a good idea, if the extra weight is not an issue.
 
It's always best to use batteries...

But you can power the Epic (or any camera) with a generator using an AC to DC power supply. As others suggest, a UPS is a wise addition for when the genny hiccups, runs out of fuel, or someone trips on the stinger. In theory, voltage spikes from the genny should be absorbed by the AC/DC power supply and not affect the 13-15VDC going into the camera. To be safe, and as other suggest, it would be wise to have a dedicated genny for camera.

I would not worry about pure sine wave for this purpose.

APC is the most common brand of UPS. The size you get is up to you. I would use UPS power strip because of portability.
 
i have the cyber power 625VA i bought at a best buy... not the highest end model, but just needed it for 2 drives (my laptop i plugged into its non battery side).... the key thing for me was keeping the DIT cart going as G&E screw with me haha...on an island...with no power, only putt putts


for a camera id go with a higher end model, so when the putt putts die your cam stays on (also having a red volt and additional battery in it helps...esp when TC counts and you do not wanna lose power and need to re jam
 
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