Battery Pack Modification... at DVinfo.net

Brian Fischer · June 19th, 2006, 07:13 PM

I recently purchased a battery charger and two battery packs from BatterySpace.com ( http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=2000 ), and they power the unit for much longer than I forsee needing, but it's nice to have that extra security when in the field. My problem, however, is this: The supplied DC plug that comes with the battery pack isn't an exact match for the plug in the base of the FS-4. It will make a connection, but it just isn't secure enough to be reliable in the field. Also, in order to connect the batteries to the charger base, some swapping out of the connectors is required.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me where I might find some DC plugs that I could splice onto the ends of the battery cables (male type connector plugs) and to the battery charger (female type connector plug), that would alleviate the need for changing the tips. The male type connectors should be identical to the ones found on the end of the power supply shipped with the FS-4, as I already know that these fit.

If anyone knows of a solution for this, I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks,

Brian Critchlow · July 6th, 2006, 04:46 PM

You must of course be careful when doing a mod such as this. Precision equipment requires precision power.

With that said, you can pick up the dc power barrels at radioshack, they have a huge selection.

Brian Fischer · July 11th, 2006, 06:58 PM

I should have mentioned this in my first post, but I did purchase some DC plugs from the local Radio Shack (size N, which was the closest specification they carried), and I even brought the FS4 power supply with me to gauge the plugs they had in stock, and none were a close enough match. It really amazed me that Radio Shack, of all places, couldn't help me. I also looked online for the manufacturer of the power supply that came with the FS4 (Globtek), but found no definitive way to purchase anything... Just a seemingly endless list of part numbers. I would like to avoid having to purchase two replacement power supplies just so I could cut the plugs off and splice them, but that may be what I'll have to do. :(

Thanks

Rolland Elliott · September 4th, 2006, 09:50 PM

Did you have find a solution to your power issue?
I'm thnking of doing the same thing and was wondering if you worked things out?

Brian Fischer · September 5th, 2006, 01:02 PM

Rolland,

No, I have not as of yet solved this issue. But then, I haven't been working on it much either... Some people have made suggestions about where to go for the parts, but so far I haven't resolved this. I get enough connectivity to get through a job just fine as it is, but it would be nice to have solid connections and a quicker, easier method of connecting to the charger.

If I discover anything that solves my issues, I'll post the info here.

Stefan Raupp · October 11th, 2006, 12:37 AM

There is an easy way to solve your Problem.

Cut the original Power cord from your Supply in two pieces
Solder an XLR plug on one side and a Jack on the toher side.

Now you can use any Battery Belt you like and the Power Suppliy with the original plug on the firestore.

Matthew Crawley · October 15th, 2006, 11:46 PM

I'm ahead of you and will post detailed on Monday with pics of my set up. I found a correct adapter at Radio Shack and I think it is size O. I'll look and post tomorrow...

Ned Soltz · October 16th, 2006, 11:36 AM

I just purchased a Tekkeon MP3400 (best price I've seen is $119 at newegg.com) and I couldn't be happier with it. It only weights a pound. I used it with the FS-100 last week and it powered the FS-100 for 3 hours without even budging from full charge status. It is a "strong buy."

Ned Soltz

Matthew Crawley · October 19th, 2006, 05:33 PM

I went on and put all of my battery backup setup info here in a gallery:

http://www.matthewcrawley.com/firest...ent/index.html

I used a Adaptall tip "O" and the a Replacement Adapter tip - I have all the details in the gallery. The adapters cost about $11 to put together out side of the battery and and is good for run-n-gun.

matthew

March 16th, 2007, 06:58 PM

Hi Matthew,
what kind of battery is that you're using? I can't seem to find what you listed on batterydepot.com. Your photos seem to have a very small sized battery. Thanks for listing the detailed notes and photos, we've been looking for an affordable solution, that would extend life. We'll be in Kenya this summer, and hope to use the firestores while there.
Thanks!
David Stembridge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Crawley

I went on and put all of my battery backup setup info here in a gallery:

http://www.matthewcrawley.com/firest...ent/index.html

I used a Adaptall tip "O" and the a Replacement Adapter tip - I have all the details in the gallery. The adapters cost about $11 to put together out side of the battery and and is good for run-n-gun.

matthew

Ian Broadbent · May 9th, 2007, 05:29 PM

Apparently Tip size O is 5.5mm OD and 2.8mm ID

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial...wer_Connectors

Maplin in the UK sell them.

Ian

June 19th, 2006, 07:13 PM	#1
Brian Fischer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremerton, Washington (Kitsap County), USA Posts: 28	Battery Pack Modification... I recently purchased a battery charger and two battery packs from BatterySpace.com ( http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=2000 ), and they power the unit for much longer than I forsee needing, but it's nice to have that extra security when in the field. My problem, however, is this: The supplied DC plug that comes with the battery pack isn't an exact match for the plug in the base of the FS-4. It will make a connection, but it just isn't secure enough to be reliable in the field. Also, in order to connect the batteries to the charger base, some swapping out of the connectors is required. I was wondering if anyone could tell me where I might find some DC plugs that I could splice onto the ends of the battery cables (male type connector plugs) and to the battery charger (female type connector plug), that would alleviate the need for changing the tips. The male type connectors should be identical to the ones found on the end of the power supply shipped with the FS-4, as I already know that these fit. If anyone knows of a solution for this, I would appreciate it greatly. Thanks, __________________ Brian Fischer "On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Tyler Durden

July 11th, 2006, 06:58 PM	#3
Brian Fischer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremerton, Washington (Kitsap County), USA Posts: 28	I should have mentioned this in my first post, but I did purchase some DC plugs from the local Radio Shack (size N, which was the closest specification they carried), and I even brought the FS4 power supply with me to gauge the plugs they had in stock, and none were a close enough match. It really amazed me that Radio Shack, of all places, couldn't help me. I also looked online for the manufacturer of the power supply that came with the FS4 (Globtek), but found no definitive way to purchase anything... Just a seemingly endless list of part numbers. I would like to avoid having to purchase two replacement power supplies just so I could cut the plugs off and splice them, but that may be what I'll have to do. :( Thanks __________________ Brian Fischer "On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Tyler Durden

September 4th, 2006, 09:50 PM	#4
Rolland Elliott Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC 28273 Posts: 108	what was your solution Did you have find a solution to your power issue? I'm thnking of doing the same thing and was wondering if you worked things out? __________________ Rolland Elliott

September 5th, 2006, 01:02 PM	#5
Brian Fischer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremerton, Washington (Kitsap County), USA Posts: 28	Rolland, No, I have not as of yet solved this issue. But then, I haven't been working on it much either... Some people have made suggestions about where to go for the parts, but so far I haven't resolved this. I get enough connectivity to get through a job just fine as it is, but it would be nice to have solid connections and a quicker, easier method of connecting to the charger. If I discover anything that solves my issues, I'll post the info here. __________________ Brian Fischer "On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Tyler Durden

October 11th, 2006, 12:37 AM	#6
Stefan Raupp New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rhein Main - Germany Posts: 7	Power Cord There is an easy way to solve your Problem. Cut the original Power cord from your Supply in two pieces Solder an XLR plug on one side and a Jack on the toher side. Now you can use any Battery Belt you like and the Power Suppliy with the original plug on the firestore.

July 6th, 2006, 04:46 PM	#2
Brian Critchlow Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 133	You must of course be careful when doing a mod such as this. Precision equipment requires precision power. With that said, you can pick up the dc power barrels at radioshack, they have a huge selection.

October 15th, 2006, 11:46 PM	#7
Matthew Crawley New Boot Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: College Station, Texas Posts: 9	Don't cut the cord yet..... I'm ahead of you and will post detailed on Monday with pics of my set up. I found a correct adapter at Radio Shack and I think it is size O. I'll look and post tomorrow... __________________ National Press Photographers Association Member - Head to http://www.nppa.org to find out more

October 16th, 2006, 11:36 AM	#8
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	I just purchased a Tekkeon MP3400 (best price I've seen is $119 at newegg.com) and I couldn't be happier with it. It only weights a pound. I used it with the FS-100 last week and it powered the FS-100 for 3 hours without even budging from full charge status. It is a "strong buy." Ned Soltz

October 19th, 2006, 05:33 PM	#9
Matthew Crawley New Boot Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: College Station, Texas Posts: 9	Sorry about the weight I went on and put all of my battery backup setup info here in a gallery: http://www.matthewcrawley.com/firest...ent/index.html I used a Adaptall tip "O" and the a Replacement Adapter tip - I have all the details in the gallery. The adapters cost about $11 to put together out side of the battery and and is good for run-n-gun. matthew __________________ National Press Photographers Association Member - Head to http://www.nppa.org to find out more

May 9th, 2007, 05:29 PM	#11
Ian Broadbent Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fleetwood UK Posts: 69	Apparently Tip size O is 5.5mm OD and 2.8mm ID http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial...wer_Connectors Maplin in the UK sell them. Ian