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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 :)

Powering RAVEN

Jason Bodnar

Jason Bodnar

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I have searched thru so many battery threads my sight is blurred... Just want to get some suggestions on powering RAVEN with V-mount... RED Brick vs http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...XP_L95RED_XP_L95RED_V_Mount_Battery_Pack.html I want to get accurate % and or possible time left readout. I do not want to cut corners and have power headaches. How much time can I expect to get standby-recording still 1-1.5 hrs? # of expected charge cycles? Is RAVEN going to be a little more efficient on power draw or same as epic dragon? Experience and input would be greatly appreciated from daily users, only ever shot with REDvolts and or Bricks on rentals, and some AB's. Deposit on RAVEN package 3 with v-mount i/o.
 
Hopefully they will have some news on the side handle with Redvolt. Those Red Bricks look heavy if carrying the camera for an extended time. Could be wrong as I have never actually held a red, just based on other v-mount batteries.
 
I OWN 5 of the batteries you linked Jason. They are wonderful and the people at switronix are very helpful with repairs/re-celling of their products, they actually sent me 2 brand new batteries when 2 of mine started acting up....After a year of use.. so yes they are good, however these have more charge cycles hence making them better for longer http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1047665-REG/switronix_hypercore_98s_98wh_14_8v_v_mount_battery.html

Edit: The PAG LINK batteries look VERY interesting check them out here: [url]https://www.paguk.com/
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Figuring out how to power the Raven is where I'm getting stuck.

I will be doing a lot of gimbal work.

The Jetpack package comes with a battery belt clip, which is not ideal. I don't want to be tethered to the camera.

The Base I/O package has the V-Lock Expander... but there's no info on it. Does it attach to the back? Will this allow for use with a gimbal, or will there be clearance issues? Can it be mounted elsewhere, like on the side of the brain or on a cheese plate? Does it have HDMI out?

Lots of questions remain unanswered when it comes to powering the camera.
 
Someone needs to make a nice lippo solution that would be:
1 yes dangerous to charge, can self ignight explode etc. But who cares as long as you got a concrete floor to charge on you only got smoke to worry about.
2 price is excelent.
3 chargers are cheap.
4 batteries comes in all sizes.

So if sombody make a nice vmount thingy that we can put lipos in that would sell as hotcakes... and risk would be on the user.
 
Matthew Quinn said:
attach a vmount to the handle bars of your gimbal,run a cord like this https://offhollywoodny.com/store/power-cables/p-tap-to-tv-logic-power-cable/ makes balancing the red easier, the side handle works, but makes balance more difficlut/more time. not to mention u can run the camera for longer periods of time and not feel like you need to shut down as much.
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Attach the V mount... Okay. Plug the cable in... where? The Raven has no Lemo in, right? Btw, why does the brain package come with an AC power cable if there's no where to plug it in? Still confused.
 
I think you mentioned the jetpack expander, yes you will still need something like this. Many people have gone for the base I/O expander with the v-mount, you can put batteries ON the camera if you want, and still run a lemo cable from the camera. the battery clip they offer could easily be adapted to rest on the handle bars of your gimbal, not sure if the cord is long enough but i bet it would be. if not a cable like the one i mentioned before can be found in a length that works perfectly with my ronin. i got a $6 v-mount plate from amazon, then ripped all the guts out and fixed it to my handle bar. Mounts a battery easily but you power the camera with the cord
 
Matthew Quinn said:
I OWN 5 of the batteries you linked Jason. They are wonderful and the people at switronix are very helpful with repairs/re-celling of their products, they actually sent me 2 brand new batteries when 2 of mine started acting up....After a year of use.. so yes they are good, however these have more charge cycles hence making them better for longer http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1047665-REG/switronix_hypercore_98s_98wh_14_8v_v_mount_battery.html

Edit: The PAG LINK batteries look VERY interesting check them out here: https://www.paguk.com/
Click to expand...
Thanks Mathew! Will likely roll with several of those switronix models to start, then see what becomes available in the near future seems new v-mounts continue to pop up and price going down as cycles go up :) Plus think I remember Jarred or Brent posting the new 4.7 monitor is much more efficient as well. I will likely want several solution based on shooting scenarios, heavier battery for more time when weight is not an issue and something light for gimbal use.​

 
Can anybody share their experience with redvolt XL and how long they last? Debating over v mount and red bricks OR redvolt XL for the raven
 
REDVOLTS are VERY handy tools to have. Although i do own REDVOLTS, i tend to lean more towards V-Mount batteries. They can be used to power monitors, Lights, Cameras..my I-pad.. can never have enough V-mounts imho. To be Fair i do not own any Redvolt XL, they look sexy
 
Saumene Mehrdady said:
Can anybody share their experience with redvolt XL and how long they last? Debating over v mount and red bricks OR redvolt XL for the raven
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I would hold the trigger on buying XL batteries. With dragon and epic, they been nothing but trouble. Check this forum for more details, but in short. The chargers and batteries dies or does not want to charge. I´m on my 3rd quad charger and I bought 10 XL batteries and I think I now have 4 that works. And I have not used the batteries or chargers alot, more like very little. A lot of people here have had the same issues. But it might be so that it all was an epic/dragon related problem and that they work just fine with weapon, but that we will know as soon as all the upgraded weapons roll out with the XL modules... if those kill XL batteries like in the past then there will be a lot of complains for sure.
 
I'll be saving up for the element technica v mount and a few red bricks then. I dont want to pay 1750 (base IO price ? ) for something that has stuff I dont need, just want the cheapest and most effective way to get v mount on weapon/raven bodies
 
Saumene Mehrdady said:
I'll be saving up for the element technica v mount and a few red bricks then. I dont want to pay 1750 (base IO price ? ) for something that has stuff I dont need, just want the cheapest and most effective way to get v mount on weapon/raven bodies
Click to expand...

Base I/O is very much going to be needed as you advance, better to bite the bullet now while there is a discount on the package
 
Saumene Mehrdady said:
Can anybody share their experience with redvolt XL and how long they last? Debating over v mount and red bricks OR redvolt XL for the raven
Click to expand...

I have never used the red volt xl but have use normal volts and bricks. I would go bricks 100%. The volts do not last long at all you are always changing batteries and have to have a million. I can run all day of of 4 v mount bricks. I would go bricks all the way!
 
I just like RedBricks.

Avoid Redvolts, a battery that charges for 2 hours and works for one is bad business. Plus if something goes wrong there is a 100x more chance you'll be able to find a V-mount replacement quickly, with Redvolts...not so much.
 
I think we need to know what the power requirements of Raven are before we pull the trigger on power solutions. Jarred and Brent have yet to comment on Raven's nominal power draw. I'm hoping for down around 25-30W but we'll see.
 
Yes we are slowly moving away from Red Volt XL's as there rreliability has been an issue and the charger even more so plus very big and bulky for travel. We have now bought into the Pag system http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/875271-REG/PAG_9303_Lithium_Ion_Pl96E_96V.html
very nice system. Yes more expensive but UN tested for travel, a variety of charging options and stackable for longer run times and charging purposes. Very happy with them so far.
 
Wow the weight of that Pag is great at 1.6 pounds.
 
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