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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 :)

BeSteady FOUR Thread

Adam Johnson said:
Andy - very sorry to hear about your issues. I'm charging batteries all day today and will hopefully be able to test tomorrow.

Piotr - Any idea when we will receive our other group buy accessories, especially the one to power the Red Epic?

Also, where can we buy more chargers and batteries from? Is that German site really the only place? Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi Adam - one thing I'll pass on (that I've noticed) is that these lipo connectors (and the discharge lead when charging) don't need to be as tightly connected as we'd normally do things on set. If I'd worked this out yesterday, I wouldn't have dislodged one of the wires on the small lipo (as I'd fitted the discharge cable tightly onto the charger)... however, if I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have discovered the issue with large batteries on my unit... so I suppose it was serendipitous, whilst being a pain!

Concerning chargers/parts.batteries - their dealer list is up on the site... personally I'd rather order from the UK dealer (but it looks like they don't carry batteries) - if it's a German or EU site I need to swap VAT numbers with them, so it gets to be more complex if I can't speak the native language.

Adam Johnson said:
That sucks! Hopefully this isn't something majorily wrong. I'm attempting to charge all my batteries before I start testing...
Click to expand...

In ACR's defense, there'll always be rogue units. If there was/is a major problem, I think we'd have heard about it now, as there are enough units out in the wild (or should that be 'Beasts out in the wild' - LOL), so I suspect this might just be a limited problem.
 
I am finding the beast to be extremely difficult to balance/ calibrate properly for my Red Epic. I can only get it to work (for the most part) when I have no lens attached and a bare bones body with side handle. And of course the 'Auto Tune' function is currently useless.

I think my Canon 24-70 lens is just too much added counter weight for it to handle even with the camera slid all the way back on the dove tail plate. On the bright side, I was able to get my 5D II to work pretty decent overall...but so far disappointed with my Epic balancing... And yes, I have watched all the videos and read the manual.

I really wish ACR would do a video for us showing us step by step how they properly balance an Epic body, because it is no easy task!!!

Also, we really need those cables to power Epic/ Scarlet bodies and for monitoring, etc. Right now I am like Carey...no way to power my camera.
 
Adam - does your Beast run fine from the large batteries? Just interested to see if it's my unit and Pavitar's that have power issues at the moment.
 
Charging a large battery right now will test that out this weekend. So I finally got my Epic and lens balanced (moved the plate as far forward as possible when attaching to the bottom of camera. This gives me more room to balance the camera with. However, even though I'm balanced, when I launch the beast it always takes me off balance, then I calibrate gyro and that doesn't do much help. I have to re-balance everything after the beast is launched...it's really weird and frustrating. Also, sometime is just continuously drifts on the pan axis to the right. Feel like I'll probably have to have a skype session for help sometime soon to figure out these quirks.
 
Adam, what is your issue with balancing the Epic ? I have the Epic with side handle, Canon 24-70, 15mm Rods, Teradek Bolt , and Redrock Wireless Follow Focus on the Beast, and i don´t have any issues with balancing.

Before i mount the Camera in the Rig, i put the 15mm Rid under the camera to see where aprox. the COG axis is, and then mount the base plate so i have enough way to slide it back and forth.
Balancing the Gimbal is a matter of minutes for me now, and we don´t scare to change lenses and rebalance since it´s very quick to do.

I had the drifting of the pan axis in inverted mode, a factory reset got rid of it.

best regards
Manuel
 
I know exactly what Adam is talking about in terms of balance... I've only been testing on a GH1 (didn't see the point of using the Epic until I can get it working)... basically, the balance looks fine and everything works, then it all goes weird and hangs offset to the left (in my case)... almost like it's adding degrees to each axis to get an offset.

With my current power issues on the large batteries (unit not accepting power - unless I manage to 'fluke' a good connection), I'm awaiting some type of response from support.

I don't want to do a factory reset until I've been told by a tec etc... but mine's stuck in underslung anyway. So can't do much testing ATM.
 
If you have an offset (we do have that on the roll axis regularly) just do a gyro calibration, and then go in the performance menu and change the roll axis setting 1% up or down, this will fix it.
 
Wow I finally figured out how to 'wrangle' The Beast! And boy does it work beautifully!!!

First off - Andy - I can report that the big batteries work fine with my unit. I tested it briefly and so far no issues with the first big battery.

Secondly, I finally figured out how to counter the current quirks with the unit. Basically, you can forget what happens when the unit starts up because it gives you a 'false balance'. After you have all your power dialed in on all the axis, go to calibrate gyro. But here is the trick. You need to hold the pan axis perfectly still in an upright balanced position. Obviously roll axis needs to be good too. Tilt doesn't matter so much. Then when it's finished calibrating. Boom, she is ready to go!!!

Lastly, I achieved all of this with a heavy setup. Red Epic with canon L 24-70, side handle, top plate, additional bottom plate for sliding axis forward or back even more, and I had the wooden camera quick back and a large mount battery mounted on the camera body! I got amazingly smooth steady-cam like moves. Super stoked!

It took me several days to figure out how to tame the beast but I did it and the hype definitely lives up to its potential.

Also, I love the thumb joystick control!
 
Can someone report exactly where we are on the list? How many units have actually been delivered to redusers?
 
Adam Johnson said:
First off - Andy - I can report that the big batteries work fine with my unit. I tested it briefly and so far no issues with the first big battery.
Click to expand...

Hi Adam - OK, then it looks like my unit needs fixing then... guess I'll wait for support or some contact from them.

Glad you've worked through stuff on the Beast, sounds like you're having fun!
 
Hello Guys,

I need to mention that while connecting large batteries you have to use that extension cable in snake skin - the plugs looks almost the same but they are not. Connecting batteries directly can cause some problems so please remember not to do so.





Best
Peter
 
Piotr Chmielewski said:
Hello Guys,

I need to mention that while connecting large batteries you have to use that extension cable in snake skin - the plugs looks almost the same but they are not. Connecting batteries directly can cause some problems so please remember not to do so.

Best
Peter
Click to expand...

Hi Peter - I used the extension cable... in putting it together (after adding the battery mount) there wouldn't be enough cable on the battery to reach anyway!

I don't think anyone would have tried to connect the battery without the extension.

I've received a message from support, but it's basically saying the same thing... so, to re-iterate, yes, connected with the cable... my thoughts are either a faulty powerboard or faulty cable.

Note - the issue reminds me of those electronic toys in the 70's/80's that had the same type of barrel connectors - sometimes the power unit would just stop working - and twisting the barrel inside until a connection was made would often work... and that's what I've had to do in this case... not particularly happy about this, I have to say, but, keeping my fingers crossed that there's a solution.
 
Not trying to spark anything. Just looking for info.
 
Minor update on my unit. It runs fine from the small lipo batteries, so I've either a dodgy cable or a dodgy power board/connector on the large battery side. At least the options are narrowing down :)
 
Hello,

We would like to ask for your opinion.

We have received information concerning problems with power on The Beast and requests to perform modification of power plugs to LEMO standard that you are all expecting.

We would like to solve those issues before shipping next batch of units. We would need to redesign electronic board, only the one that is controlling power output and engines. It is important as it will improve reliability of entire unit.

The new board will have listed benefits:
- 5A 14.8V output,
much better for fully rigged gimbal - may power up RED, Teradek/Paralinx and FIZ/FF;
- less errors on sensor data lines,
previously close location of power lines have created those errors in particular situations;
- much better mainboard heat management,
thanks to completely redesigned power solution;
- slightly less power usage,
non-noticable when only gimbal is powered, up to 20% longer battery lifetime when power outputs are used heavily;
- much better power efficiency when powering additional equipment from gimbal.
- electronic fuse for safety purposes,
it will also secure all devices connected to Traxxas shelf connector as well as all devices connected to DC on vertical arm;
- much easier service with connectors and without soldering (on mainboard).

All units that were send up to this time will be upgraded to new version during visit in our service - those modifications will be performed for free for those that will decide to send units to us. We will instal LEMO plugs at the same time.

Additional changes:
- DC input changed to LEMO;
- DC output changed to LEMO;
- DC input may be used also as DC output;
- DC output may be also used as DC input.

Our question to you is as follows. Will you agree to this proposition as it will create additional delay:

1 week - finalization of mainboard v2 project
1 week - preproduction board tests
2 weeks - PCB manufacture
1 week - electronics surface mounting
1 week - mainboard assembly, flashing, testing gimbals, shipping
---
6 weeks total

You will receive the final product you all were expecting to receive that will be cured from all childhood illness.

If any of you will be interested in speaking about our proposition in more direct please contact me at peter@acr-sys.com

Best
Peter
 
The modifications sound legit and I can wait another six weeks.
 
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