View Full Version : V-lock batteries for Light questions


David Banner
September 30th, 2020, 01:41 PM
I have Luxli Timpani 1X1 RGBW light. I have some Maxoak BP-GL175 12,000mAh 14.8v 177Wh V-lock batteries that I use flawlessly in my Astra 6X lights with no issues. However, the same battery will rarely work on my Luxli. It will power up the rear display and allow all the controls to be selected but the light will not light at all, the brightness adjustment will not go above 0%. So I turn it on and off remove the battery, etc and every once in a while it will turn on and work fine.

So I tried it on AC power and it seems to work consistantly that way.
Then I tried my Dracast V-lock batteries which are 14.8v but only 90Wh and all of them seem to work every time.
The luxli timpani rated max power draw is 120w.
The astra 6x bicolor is 105w.

It's been over 30 days since I bought it so it says no longer able to return.
So, what about just using my 90Wh batteries with it? Does that just equate to shorter run time, like less than an hour?
Again, the Maxoak 177Wh batteries work every time in my Astras...
Thoughts?

Pete Cofrancesco
September 30th, 2020, 02:05 PM
Maxoak looks like a cheap brand. Most likely it is delivering less volts than 14.8 it promises.The Astra 6x probably will run on less than 14 but not the other light.

David Banner
September 30th, 2020, 04:48 PM
Thank you Pete

Tony McGuire
October 1st, 2020, 05:07 AM
You could find it is a 14.8v battery but the said 177Wh many not be what it is it could be 50Wh and when the light tries and power up the voltage drops because the battery can not supply the sudden current it needed to switch on the light.

you could try and weigh both of the batteries and may find that the Maxoak Battery may much heavier than your other battery. I would expect Maxoak to be about 1.5 to 2 times the wight of your Dracast battery. I could be wrong on the wight

Pete Cofrancesco
October 1st, 2020, 12:35 PM
Thank you Pete
The pro batteries are expensive but they generally meet the specs they list (voltage and capacity). Be aware powerful lights also draw a lot of power. Meaning a battery might have the right voltage and capacity but just can't handle high amount of draw. It will be labeled as "high load" I believe that's over 12amps. In your case I think you just need a high quality name brand battery from B&H. I understand trying to save money. Quality batteries are very expensive. It's hit or miss when you try to save money buy stuff off Amazon.

David Banner
October 1st, 2020, 08:27 PM
Thank you.
The 90Wh Dracast battery is smaller and lighter but not a whole lot lighter than the bigger 177Wh Maxoak.
I think you guys are right. I think an expensive better battery would not have the problem. Funny thing is, Dracast are also cheap batteries and work. So I guess it's hit or miss on these batteries.
Any suggestions on a V-lock battery over 120Wh that is decent quality?

Pete Cofrancesco
October 1st, 2020, 09:53 PM
There all in the $250 range (note that's without a charger)

IDX
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1590954-REG/idx_system_technology_cue_h135_134wh_compact_li_ion_v_mount.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

This is a nice package with the charger
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1595495-REG/idx_system_technology_2_x_134wh_v_mount.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

Shape (haven't heard of them but got good reviews)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1402286-REG/shape_v135ts_14_8v_135wh_rechargeable_lithium_ion.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

Ind Pro Tools
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1255702-REG/indipro_tools_pd130s_compact_130wh_v_mount_li_ion.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

David Banner
October 2nd, 2020, 11:20 AM
There all in the $250 range (note that's without a charger)

IDX
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1590954-REG/idx_system_technology_cue_h135_134wh_compact_li_ion_v_mount.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1590954-REG/idx_system_technology_cue_h135_134wh_compact_li_ion_v_mount.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

This is a nice package with the charger
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1595495-REG/idx_system_technology_2_x_134wh_v_mount.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1595495-REG/idx_system_technology_2_x_134wh_v_mount.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

Shape (haven't heard of them but got good reviews)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1402286-REG/shape_v135ts_14_8v_135wh_rechargeable_lithium_ion.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1402286-REG/shape_v135ts_14_8v_135wh_rechargeable_lithium_ion.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

Ind Pro Tools
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1255702-REG/indipro_tools_pd130s_compact_130wh_v_mount_li_ion.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1255702-REG/indipro_tools_pd130s_compact_130wh_v_mount_li_ion.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

Thank you very much again