Komodo Battery F.A.Q.

[K. Rixon]

If you contact Core SWX, they will provide a firmware update that works with the GDU batteries. Just be aware if you also have Core v-mount batteries, they do read differently so you will have to make a decision which brand of batteries you want to pass info.

Thanks! I'll shoot them an email now and request the alternate firmware. All my mini v mounts are GDU, so it makes sense to switch over.

Out of curiosity, do you know if you can semi-easily switch to the stock firmware should my needs change in the future?

Edit: Core SWX sent over both versions of the firmware. It's easy enough to switch over firmware depending on your needs. Plug the plate in to your computer via the micro USB port, and copy over whichever firmware you need. Takes a few minutes total, but you have to do it on a PC - they were very clear about that last part.

 

[Travis J Stanton]

Hi, new to the site. I read I need to post twice in order to be able to join groups. I only see how to reply to posts, not start one.

 

[Travis J Stanton]

And here is a second post to appease the Bots.
Im tricking out a Komodo package. Going with the TB50 batts.

 

[kevin holmgren]

Komodo Confusion - battery

The Core NANO Micro 98wh 3-stud look like the same battery as the Red version, but the Red version indicates it's not compatible with Komodo. Seems to be the same guts in different housings?
<https://coreswx.com/shop/nano98nk-cxa/>

Since the NANO Micro 98wh seems to be the go to battery for many Komodo users, why is Red showing it not compatible? (COMPATIBILITY: The REDVOLT MICRO-V is not compatible with KOMODO[SUP]®[/SUP] but may be compatible with DSMC[SUP]®[/SUP], DSMC2[SUP]®[/SUP], RED RANGER[SUP]®[/SUP] camera systems with a compatible V-Lock module.)
<https://www.red.com/redvolt-micro-batteries> "

Is there a newer battery that Komodo shooters are starting to like to use with the Tilta AB plate?

Any word on "Red Approved" for that Tilta plate?

Thanks!

~ 天

 

[Phil Holland]

Komodo Confusion - battery

*gasp* I'm using them with Komodo and I haven't opened a portal to another dimension.

I suspect it's likely a copy text oversight as Komodo's native battery mount is dual BP and not V-Lock like V-Raptor or DSMC2 bodies that use V-Lock Plates that RED provides. Just a hunch though.

 

[Michael von Hirschheydt]

There seem to be a lot of misconceptions about Komodo's battery supply out there. The BP style batteries (Canon und RED) have a third pin which is a bidirectional serial battery interface technically spoken. The battery gauge circuit "talks" to the camera via this pin. This leads to the continuously down counting percentage on the cameras display. The exact battery lifetime is also necessary to invoke the safety shut down of the camera. When the battery is at a low level the camera stops recording, closes all opened files on the memory card and shuts down the camera. Your recording might be truncated but the files are uncorrupted and still accessible by a computer to the moment the camera stopped recording. Most alternative batteries have no data pin with few exceptions (e.g. Blueshape brand). The camera always says 100% with these batteries even if the battery runs out of power. Unexpected power loss always leads to corrupted files. The most disadvantage of BP batteries is their lack of an additional power connector on them. So you need several extra battery types for electronic accessories like monitor, focus motors, transmitters... Micro V-Mount batteries are the better choice due to their extra ports. There are a lot of adapter plates out for V-Mount but most of them share the same problem: no battery communication pin. The only exception is the Core SWX Battery Plate. It has an additional D-Tap port and a 2 pin Lemo. The letter one is used by most monitors and EVFs. But beware as you may have guessed most V-Mount batteries have no data pin. The exception are Core Nano, RED and Bebob Micro. In Europe the Bebop Micro V98/ V150/ V200 batteries are more easily available. They "talk" both RED and Arri battery language easily switchable between the two. There is also a compact S1 Micro quick charger available from the same brand. In case your SWX plate does not recognize these batteries ask core for a software update for the plate. The battery cells itself are replaceable in case they are worn out. So the batteries are environmentally friendly. The LED battery gauge is very reliable and exactly corresponds to the the Komodos display readings. In charging mode they even show they precise charging status in percentage. I hope this could help to demystify Komodo's battery power options and leads to a more informed decision when you select the battery option which suits your needs best.

 

[Mark Holloway]

Komodo Confusion - battery

The Core NANO Micro 98wh 3-stud look like the same battery as the Red version, but the Red version indicates it's not compatible with Komodo. Seems to be the same guts in different housings?
<https://coreswx.com/shop/nano98nk-cxa/>

Since the NANO Micro 98wh seems to be the go to battery for many Komodo users, why is Red showing it not compatible? (COMPATIBILITY: The REDVOLT MICRO-V is not compatible with KOMODO[SUP]®[/SUP] but may be compatible with DSMC[SUP]®[/SUP], DSMC2[SUP]®[/SUP], RED RANGER[SUP]®[/SUP] camera systems with a compatible V-Lock module.)
<https://www.red.com/redvolt-micro-batteries> "

Is there a newer battery that Komodo shooters are starting to like to use with the Tilta AB plate?

Any word on "Red Approved" for that Tilta plate?

Thanks!

~ 天

From what I can tell the Core Nano is a Gold Mount that comes with a BP adapter. The Redvolt Micro is a V-Mount and does not come with a BP adapter, which is likely why it says it's not compatible since Komodo only supports BP out of the box.

I'm using the SHAPE V-Mount Pivoting Plate mounted to the first BP slot on Komodo. Strong solid construction and has built in DTAP on the plate and comes with DTAP power cable for Komodo. This solution lets me use one V-Mount battery plus one Red BP for hot swap. I'm using the PowerExtra 222Wh 14.8V V-Mount battery (also provides two more DTAPs, two USB) and they're only $98 on Amazon and so far have been reliable. Has nice physical profile as it's the same size as the SHAPE plate and does not stick out above or below the plate like the older Red Brick batteries.

 

[JEFFREY HSIUNG]

are Canon BP-915's safe to use despite not r3d approved/compatible?

 

[Fred Potts]

Any thoughts on buying used Canon BP-955 batteries? I see a lot of them for sale at Adorama. The new ones are not bad priced at $149 and the used are running around the mid $60's

 

[Alex Dolgin]

All Li-Ion batteries lose their functionality at the rate of 5-10% /year even if not used. I would't even touch a 3+ year old battery. On the other hand, you could get one, try it and if it does not last, send back. HTH

 

[Fred Potts]

how do I know how old they are?

 

[Alex Dolgin]

A suspected battery is fully charged, followed by a discharge under controlled condition. At the end of discharge cycle the result is displayed by a charger/tester. If you have one or two questionable batteries, we will test them for you for free.
Dolgin Engineering

 

[Alexander B]

I use two Jupio batteries. After 1 1/2 years or so the one with the label "RED Approved" suddenly shows an UNAPPROVED BATTERY message now and then. I did not update the camera firmware in between.
I took a warranty replacement for this battery. The new Jupio BP975 shows this error from the first try over and over again. I cant use this battery with the Komodo.
I run the other Jupio and a Blueshape without any problems.
Any thoughts on that topic?

 

[TYLER STOOKSBURY]

I use two Jupio batteries. After 1 1/2 years or so the one with the label "RED Approved" suddenly shows an UNAPPROVED BATTERY message now and then. I did not update the camera firmware in between.
I took a warranty replacement for this battery. The new Jupio BP975 shows this error from the first try over and over again. I cant use this battery with the Komodo.
I run the other Jupio and a Blueshape without any problems.
Any thoughts on that topic?


View attachment 3828761View attachment 3828762

Sorry nobody responded.

I would imagine there is a controller in the battery that is failing and the camera can no longer recognize that it's unapproved. Does it say it with other approved batteries or just this one?

 

[zamirmewelldy]

There seem to be a lot of misconceptions about Komodo's battery supply out there. The BP style batteries (Canon und RED) have a third pin which is a bidirectional serial battery interface technically spoken. The battery gauge circuit "talks" to the camera via this pin. This leads to the continuously down counting percentage on the cameras display. The exact battery lifetime is also necessary to invoke the safety shut down of the camera. When the battery is at a low level the camera stops recording, closes all opened files on the memory card and shuts down the camera. Your recording might be truncated but the files are uncorrupted and still accessible by a computer to the moment the camera stopped recording. Most alternative batteries have no data pin with few exceptions (e.g. Blueshape brand). The camera always says 100% with these batteries even if the battery runs out of power. Unexpected power loss always leads to corrupted files. The most disadvantage of BP batteries is their lack of an additional power connector on them. So you need several extra battery types for electronic accessories like monitor, focus motors, transmitters... Micro V-Mount batteries are the better choice due to their extra ports. There are a lot of adapter plates out for V-Mount but most of them share the same problem: no battery communication pin. The only exception is the Core SWX Battery Plate. It has an additional D-Tap port and a 2 pin Lemo. The letter one is used by most monitors and EVFs. But beware as you may have guessed most V-Mount batteries have no data pin. The exception are Core Nano, RED and Bebob Micro. In Europe the Bebop Micro V98/ V150/ V200 batteries are more easily available. They "talk" both RED and Arri battery language easily switchable between the two. There is also a compact S1 Micro quick charger available from the same brand. In case your SWX plate does not recognize these batteries ask core for a software update for the plate. The battery cells itself are replaceable in case they are worn out. So the batteries are environmentally friendly. The LED battery gauge is very reliable and exactly corresponds to the the Komodos display readings. In charging mode they even show they precise charging status in percentage. I hope this could help to demystify Komodo's battery power by AMI options and leads to a more informed decision when you select the battery option which suits your needs best.

If you suspect a battery is fully charged, we conduct a controlled discharge test. Once the discharge cycle is complete, our charger/tester displays the results. If you have one or two batteries you're unsure about, take advantage of our free testing service.