Battery Power

[Ryan Douthit]

I just returned from a multi-day documentary style shoot. I have a 7Q plus with the Sony L backplate. This is not a suitable solution for power. even when I just attempt to use it as a monitor it would only last a couple hours. Can anybody recommend a suitable battery set up? I guess the other option is to buy eight large L batteries through a single day but I'm not really thinking that's the best solution.

[Mat Thompson]

I run a FS700-7q-alphatron rig. They all feed from IDX v-locks. I get about 2.5-3 hours per battery dependant on temps.

I'm guessing the 7q would run for 5-6 on its own.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Ryan,

We offer the Sony L-Series battery plate for the Odyssey7/Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ that want to use the Sony L-Series batteries.

The Sony FS700 comes with a NP-F770 battery which is on the small side for powering the Odyssey7Q in various modes, such as recording 2K Raw at 240 fps.

The genuine Sony NP-F970 battery is better.

But, be careful as there are many counterfeit Sony NP-F970 batteries out there. Many of these have only two Lithium-Ion cells, instead of the six in the genuine Sony NP-F970 batteries.

With a genuine Sony NP-F970 battery, and the Odyssey being used for monitoring only, you should get over three hours of monitoring time, maybe more.

We also offer other battery plates such as the Sony "U Series" battery plate for the BPu60 or BPu90, or the Swit 8u62 battery. All of these will provide longer record times, as the batteries are more powerful than the Sony NP-F970 battery.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,

[Ryan Douthit]

I already only use genuine Sony NP-F970 batteries on the 7Q+. I have few that are older, and well used, but even the brand new F970's it doesn't last very long. As soon as it hits 50% capacity the voltage dips too low and the Odyssey will no longer record. Even as good as the F970s are, being only able to use half their capacity is really lame.

[Roger Martin]

You already have the Sony L battery plate.
get a dummy battery and plug that cable into a 32,000 mAh PowerAdd.
It will run for many hours.
I have mine set to output 12 volts because I read somewhere that my 7Q+ likes 10 volts for start up.
But you can set it for 9, 12, 16, 19, or 20 volts and the Odyssey will be able to use it for power.

[Sami Sanpakkila]

I have been using a Hawk-Woods dual battery plate that gives me at least 3-4 hours on O7Q+ to record. DV-7QS | Power Adaptor Odyssey 7Q - Hawk-Woods Ltd

Been happy with it and no problems whatsoever.

Rogers suggestion is also interesting.

[Roger Martin]

I got the PowerAdd 32,000 mAh from Amazon $130
It has a tiny screen that show the voltage and % left.
Mine has never been less that 70% after almost 3 hours of converting A7s 4k to 1080P30.
It weighs 1 pound 11 oz and although it has a strong case, that is mostly batteries.
It slides into and fits the slot in the back of my Tamrac Pro 8 bag.

The dummy (Sony L) battery came from B&H $29
I keep it connected to the 7Q+ in the front pocket of my bag

Unfortunately the proprietary connecting pin for the 7Q+ sticks out so far that I have to unplug it each time.
I wish Odyssey would come out with an L shaped one that could be left in.

[Roger Martin]

I know that the 7Q series have a voltage regulator and can accept anything from 6.5 to 34 volts.
I have read that it likes 10 volts at start up.
What would be the optimum?
I can set my PowerAdd to 9, 12,16, 19, or 20 volts and currently have it at 12 VDC.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Roger,

The Odyssey7Q does not need 10 volts to start up.

The Sony NP-F970 battery never reaches 10 volts.

While I am not familiar with your PowerAdd 32,000 mah battery, but 12 Volts is certainly ok.

I do not know the native voltage of your battery. Please feel free to try different settings.

Respectfully,

[Roger Martin]

Yes Dan, the 7Q+ will start up with a 7.2 volt battery attached.
I think I read about it liking 10 volts when starting two SSD's for a FS7 when using a combination of high resolution and high speed recording.

The problem with the Sony L NP-970 is that the voltage drops way before depletion.
I have at least 5 versions including an authentic Sony one.
The Wasabi 7.4 volt 8500mAh knock off seems to last the longest,
but no where near the 3 hours needed to DownRes 4k from my A7s to 1080P30.

Friday my PowerAdd showed 73% available at 11.8 volts after 3 hours.

The PowerAdd 32,000 mAh can deliver 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, and 20 volts.
It recharges very fast from the supplied 20 volt adapter, so I assume that to be the native voltage.
Which voltage would be best for the 7Q+ ?
In other words, which voltage does the 7Q+ use most efficiently?

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Roger,

The charging voltage is always higher than the actual native battery voltage.

My best guess is that your battery is a native 14.4 to 14.8 Volts DC.

Thus, I think 12 Volts is a good choice for you.

Respectfully,