Batteries for FS4 at DVinfo.net

Jeff Bettendorf · July 7th, 2006, 09:39 PM

I have an XL1s and use NP1 batteries for a light and would like to know if I can use the NP1 battery to also power the FS4...

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff Bettendorf · July 8th, 2006, 07:59 AM

Someone suggested the Power Bag Junior. powerbagjunior.com Has anyone here used this? If so, what do you think about it?

Thanks,
Jeff

Dean Sensui · July 8th, 2006, 12:58 PM

The FS-4 probably takes the same power input as the FS-100, which is 15 VDC.

You might want to take a look at this battery:

http://tekkeon.com/site/products-mypowerall.php

The MP3400 can provide variable voltages up to 19 volts.

As to your first question, the NP1 is probably limited to 14.4 VDC (open circuit) but probably gets closer to 13 or 12 VDC with a load. Don't know how it might affect the Firestore but you probably want to stick to the recommended voltage requirement.

Joe Matyas · July 8th, 2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Sensui

The FS-4 probably takes the same power input as the FS-100, which is 15 VDC.

Don't know how it might affect the Firestore but you probably want to stick to the recommended voltage requirement.

While the Focus adapter outputs 15.5 volts, the battery is 11.1 volts - 850 mamps. Doing the math, the FS-4/100 draws about 6.5 watts per hour while recording. This means if you have the 40 gig hd, you will need about 25 watts to run 3 1/2 hours. If you have the 80 gig hd, your will need 50 watts of power to run the 6 1/2 hours available. You will have to allow for some idle and play back time during shooting so to be safe plan on needing at least 40 watts of power for the 40 gig and 65 watts for the 80 gig to be sure you have ample power to utilize the maximum available record time.

Your FS-4/100's battery pack will supply about 9 of those watts. The rest need to come from an external source. Also remember that when its' cold you must keep your batteries warm or you could run short of power. These numbers assume that the batteries(s) are fully charged before you start shooting.

Your milage may vary ......

Joe

http://www.powerbagjunior.com

Dean Sensui · July 10th, 2006, 02:12 AM

For myself I decided to stick with the Focus battery packs. I got a couple of the largest ones. I was able to cover a 5-hour job with just one of those batteries and the FS-100 was running just about all the time.

Joe Matyas · July 10th, 2006, 10:04 AM

I shoot mainly live events and I can't afford to guess how much power I have left and when to change batteries. A few of my clients require 3-4 hours of continuous shooting with no chance to change out batteries. So with 10-1/2 hours of continuous portable power available to me - power management is one item I can check off my list of things to do while shooting.

Joe

http://www.powerbagjunior.com

Dean Sensui · July 11th, 2006, 02:59 AM

Joe...

Check with Focus Enhancements and see what they might have to say regarding voltage requirements of external power sources.

Better to be safe than sorry.

The Firestore gives an audible warning chirp which may or may not be heard when the battery is about to go down. And, depening on the situation, the 60 seconds needed to swap batteries and restart it -- and make sure it's responding to the camera -- may or may not be acceptable.

Good luck!

Matt McEwen · July 12th, 2006, 10:08 AM

Hi,

FS-100/-4 series units will run on DC voltages from about 10 to 17V. You will need to be greater than about 14V to charge the battery on the unit though.

Hope that helps,

Matt

July 7th, 2006, 09:39 PM	#1
Jeff Bettendorf New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	Batteries for FS4 I have an XL1s and use NP1 batteries for a light and would like to know if I can use the NP1 battery to also power the FS4... Thanks, Jeff

July 8th, 2006, 07:59 AM	#2
Jeff Bettendorf New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	The Power Bag Junior Someone suggested the Power Bag Junior. powerbagjunior.com Has anyone here used this? If so, what do you think about it? Thanks, Jeff

July 8th, 2006, 12:58 PM	#3
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	The FS-4 probably takes the same power input as the FS-100, which is 15 VDC. You might want to take a look at this battery: http://tekkeon.com/site/products-mypowerall.php The MP3400 can provide variable voltages up to 19 volts. As to your first question, the NP1 is probably limited to 14.4 VDC (open circuit) but probably gets closer to 13 or 12 VDC with a load. Don't know how it might affect the Firestore but you probably want to stick to the recommended voltage requirement. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

July 10th, 2006, 02:12 AM	#5
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	For myself I decided to stick with the Focus battery packs. I got a couple of the largest ones. I was able to cover a 5-hour job with just one of those batteries and the FS-100 was running just about all the time. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

July 11th, 2006, 02:59 AM	#7
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Joe... Check with Focus Enhancements and see what they might have to say regarding voltage requirements of external power sources. Better to be safe than sorry. The Firestore gives an audible warning chirp which may or may not be heard when the battery is about to go down. And, depening on the situation, the 60 seconds needed to swap batteries and restart it -- and make sure it's responding to the camera -- may or may not be acceptable. Good luck! __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

July 10th, 2006, 10:04 AM	#6
Joe Matyas New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	I shoot mainly live events and I can't afford to guess how much power I have left and when to change batteries. A few of my clients require 3-4 hours of continuous shooting with no chance to change out batteries. So with 10-1/2 hours of continuous portable power available to me - power management is one item I can check off my list of things to do while shooting. Joe http://www.powerbagjunior.com

July 12th, 2006, 10:08 AM	#8
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi, FS-100/-4 series units will run on DC voltages from about 10 to 17V. You will need to be greater than about 14V to charge the battery on the unit though. Hope that helps, Matt