Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries at DVinfo.net

Rafael Lopes · June 6th, 2013, 11:26 AM

Hi guys,

I´ve just bought a Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and although I didn´t receive it yet I´d like to know how many hours of battery (320mah) should I get shooting with 2 phantom power mics. Any thoughts?

One thing that I will miss about the Zoom H4N is the ability to use AC power indoors.

Richard Crowley · June 6th, 2013, 11:34 AM

That cannot be answered as a generic question.
The answer depends on two important variables that only you control:
1) How much phantom power current do your microphones draw?
2) What is the REAL capacity of your batteries (not just the "nominal" rating)

Rafael Lopes · June 6th, 2013, 11:48 AM

The battery is a 9v 320mah. As for how much both mics I´m using audio-tecnica's AT831 (on the website it says "phantom 9 - 52v DC")

Richard Crowley · June 6th, 2013, 12:07 PM

It would be nice, but it is not that simple. Even if you could accurately predict the current draw from the battery, the actual battery life depends on the state of charge of the battery itself. Unless you buy batteries from some place that sells many of them (high turnover) you don't even know how "fresh" the battery is.

Remember that you can always use a "battery eliminator" which runs on mains power (or vehicle 12V)

Here is just an example of some: QCAvionix Pilot Shop - Battery eliminators powered from an aircraft, boat or automobile 12V or 24V system.

Rafael Lopes · June 6th, 2013, 01:17 PM

Ok, I follow you but it´s pretty hard to believe people cannot give me a ball park value. I mean, are we talking about 1 hour, 5 hours....? I just want to know ho many batteries should I get to be able to shoot for 8 hours.

Richard Crowley · June 6th, 2013, 01:36 PM

The "ball park value" is posted on the website:
"Battery Duration
3 hours typical with alkaline battery (no phantom)
8 hours typical with lithium battery (no phantom)"

The reason they don't post the ball park estimate for phantom power is because there is a very wide range of microphone power requirements.

I would cut that ball-park estimate in 1/2 or 1/3 when powering two microphones.
I would buy a package of 10-12 batteries for each day of shooting.

June 6th, 2013, 11:26 AM	#1
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries Hi guys, I´ve just bought a Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and although I didn´t receive it yet I´d like to know how many hours of battery (320mah) should I get shooting with 2 phantom power mics. Any thoughts? One thing that I will miss about the Zoom H4N is the ability to use AC power indoors. __________________ www.rafael-lopes.com

June 6th, 2013, 11:34 AM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries That cannot be answered as a generic question. The answer depends on two important variables that only you control: 1) How much phantom power current do your microphones draw? 2) What is the REAL capacity of your batteries (not just the "nominal" rating)

June 6th, 2013, 11:48 AM	#3
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Re: Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries The battery is a 9v 320mah. As for how much both mics I´m using audio-tecnica's AT831 (on the website it says "phantom 9 - 52v DC") __________________ www.rafael-lopes.com

June 6th, 2013, 12:07 PM	#4
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries It would be nice, but it is not that simple. Even if you could accurately predict the current draw from the battery, the actual battery life depends on the state of charge of the battery itself. Unless you buy batteries from some place that sells many of them (high turnover) you don't even know how "fresh" the battery is. Remember that you can always use a "battery eliminator" which runs on mains power (or vehicle 12V) Here is just an example of some: QCAvionix Pilot Shop - Battery eliminators powered from an aircraft, boat or automobile 12V or 24V system.

June 6th, 2013, 01:17 PM	#5
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Re: Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries Ok, I follow you but it´s pretty hard to believe people cannot give me a ball park value. I mean, are we talking about 1 hour, 5 hours....? I just want to know ho many batteries should I get to be able to shoot for 8 hours. __________________ www.rafael-lopes.com

June 6th, 2013, 01:36 PM	#6
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Beachtek DXA-SLR PRO and batteries The "ball park value" is posted on the website: "Battery Duration 3 hours typical with alkaline battery (no phantom) 8 hours typical with lithium battery (no phantom)" The reason they don't post the ball park estimate for phantom power is because there is a very wide range of microphone power requirements. I would cut that ball-park estimate in 1/2 or 1/3 when powering two microphones. I would buy a package of 10-12 batteries for each day of shooting.