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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 :)

Letus Gimbal

I am powering my Scarlet and my Helix from the 5200mA JuiceBox Lithium Ion batteries. That works perfectly. Your set-up sounds fine. Have you checked the battery output?

Be sure to check with Letus. Hien is really good with the electrical issues in particular.
 
We just did a build today where we powered the Helix, Epic Dragon, Teeradek Bolt, and Preston MDR-2 & motor, all running from a single Juice Box...without any issues at all. I used a combination of Letus cables and some custom cables I had made by East Coast Cables.
 
I have had this problem with my PagLink batteries. Stacking two of the batteries appears to boost the power output & solve the problem.

BW
 
After a Skype with Letus it turned out to be the D-Tap to Lemo power cable. I installed the Juice Box and Batts and everything seems to be running ok.
 
I have that cable but haven't tried it yet. Is the cable not up to the task or is your particular one just wonky?
 
Hmmm, that's not true. We have 2 Dionic 90's, using the same cable, one is good and one is not. The Dionic 90 is at the border of powering both the Helix and the RED. If the Dionic is not brand new or in anyway degraded, it will not be enough to power both of them. The Letus Juice box has no issue.
 
I have been having this issue too. First using Switronix batteries, which I figured could not handle the high draw. I suppose the fact that my Epic configuration was maxing out the Helix in terms of weight, even fairly well balanced it would take a lot of extra power to keep things going smoothly. I then tried using some Dionic HC's, which are designed to handle high current power draws, but I had the same issue crop up. The HC's were not brand new and are part of a rented camera package for a television show, but even then I would have expected them to perform better than the Switronix batteries. Guess I'll have to get some Juiceboxes to really get this system up and running smoothly.
 
A. Clint Litton said:
I have been having this issue too. First using Switronix batteries, which I figured could not handle the high draw. I suppose the fact that my Epic configuration was maxing out the Helix in terms of weight, even fairly well balanced it would take a lot of extra power to keep things going smoothly. I then tried using some Dionic HC's, which are designed to handle high current power draws, but I had the same issue crop up. The HC's were not brand new and are part of a rented camera package for a television show, but even then I would have expected them to perform better than the Switronix batteries. Guess I'll have to get some Juiceboxes to really get this system up and running smoothly.
Click to expand...

I've noticed with my 150wH v-mounts that even fully charged, my epic usually starts out in the 12.5v range when powered through the Helix. The Juiceboxes, even with ~half the capacity of those v-mounts, usually start in the 14.5v range. Pretty awesome. Those v-mounts are 2-3 years old now, so maybe that has something to do with it.
 
Scott C said:
I've noticed with my 150wH v-mounts that even fully charged, my epic usually starts out in the 12.5v range when powered through the Helix. The Juiceboxes, even with ~half the capacity of those v-mounts, usually start in the 14.5v range. Pretty awesome. Those v-mounts are 2-3 years old now, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Click to expand...

This does make me wonder about the p-tap to lemo cable combined with power distribution. It's something that I'm not very familiar with, had similar issues with the Proline steadi power setup...the batteries I was using were passing significantly more power to the Epic when done directly from a battery plate to the epic and not through the sled. It makes sense that more power would get swallowed up by the Helix as it actually requires power for the motors, but who knows if there's an inefficiency at play here.

Nevertheless, I'll definitely be getting some juicebox batteries, as I'd love to streamline things and get longer runtimes with the helix.

Hien and GT, is there any chance that you could also build a bracket similar to the Freefly that will allow us to put a gold-mount or v-mount on the camera so we can power our cameras with that and then save the juice box for Helix and accessories? I know the weight becomes a lot to bare, but I'd be using an easyrig or steadi arm anyway...even a "light" helix setup with Epic is a lot to carry for long periods.
 
I can't get the helix in the right horizontal start position. Everything was weldone for every angle! Any help please

New showreel on www.camlight.nl

best Robert
 
Robert Berger said:
I can't get the helix in the right horizontal start position. Everything was weldone for every angle! Any help please

New showreel on www.camlight.nl

best Robert
Click to expand...

I used the helppage : Orienting the Helix in the Correct Direction
Last Updated: Sep 25, 2014 11:08AM CDT
 
Robert Berger said:
I can't get the helix in the right horizontal start position. Everything was weldone for every angle! Any help please

New showreel on www.camlight.nl

best Robert
Click to expand...
If you have the joystick you can set it to control roll and adjust the roll position with it for level horizon, dutch angle if you want or roll shot. You will want the lens axis centered for roll shot.
 
To reset the neutral position -- with motors deactivated, put the Helix in the correct start position, then press the button five times.


BW
 
Thank You Aiel! I have 1 but did not yet used it! I will try , thanx!
Best Robert.
PS I did som tests en you can see those on my facebook page Robert M. Berger
 
Ben Wolf said:
To reset the neutral position -- with motors deactivated, put the Helix in the correct start position, then press the button five times.


BW
Click to expand...
THank you Ben!! It worked!! How did you know??
best regards
Robert

PS I did som Letus Helix tests en you can see those on my facebook page Robert M. Berger
 
We had a chance to test the single axis Helix on the Proline Raven sled at a football game last weekend. We need to tweak balance and resolve a few cable issues but overall we were pleased with the performance.

Here’s a link to a few shots we threw together. Little CC and no post stabilization.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVuCwDC0iA
 

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  • Helix Proline single axis RU.jpg
    Helix Proline single axis RU.jpg
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We've had a chance to play with the Helix, and so far VERY VERY impressed. Very intuitive to use, and the Letus support team are world class. Looking forward to seeing how this superb product develops/matures!!
 
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