What's the best way to charge batteries when off the grid? at DVinfo.net

Adam Letch · May 21st, 2008, 01:37 AM

Hi Guys,

I'm about to go into one of the most remote areas of Australia to film, I'm using the HD251 and VMount batteris, has anyone used Generators or similar to recharge the batteries, and did you use some sort of power regulator?
Or a good solar battery charging system?

thanks

Adam

Tim Dashwood · May 21st, 2008, 08:18 AM

I use a simple 150W 12V cigarette lighter to AC inverter with my charger and it works fine. I also have a 400W inverter with a battery system that can be charged with a solar attachment. I generally use this for my laptop charger but it works with the Anton Bauer charger too.

Moved this to "Home, Away from Home" forum.

Shaun Roemich · May 21st, 2008, 11:21 AM

I also use a 12v DC inverter. I also have a set of battery clamps that connect to a cigarette lighter (female) jack so that I can tap into the actual car battery (while parked of course) if the car we've arranged either doesn't have a cigarette lighter (RIGHT!) or it just doesn't work. If I need to, I'll pop the hood, attach the battery leads and then plug in my inverter. Newer inverters sometimes come with battery clamps standard.

Dan Keaton · May 21st, 2008, 03:08 PM

Dear Adam,

Depending on your camera, you may be able to purchase a DC operated battery charger for your batteries.

Canon makes a nice one for their BP-NNN batteries. This would be more efficient than using an inverter to power a 110 V powered battery charger.

Of course, efficiency is not a big concern in most cases. But, if you have a battery that is going to be on the charger for hours and you car will not be running, efficiency can be a concern.

Adam Letch · May 22nd, 2008, 03:41 AM

so do you use your standard battery charger and just plug it into a 12v cigarette lighter? I'm just concerned over the quality of power being supplied whether it could destroy the batteries or even the charger, which is a globalmediapro vmount charger as well, I'm not sure how robust its circuitry is.

Just don't want to destroy it and have no backup

Dan Keaton · May 22nd, 2008, 04:37 AM

Dear Adam,

Most common inverters are "Modified Sine Wave". This type of power is ok for some items, but not for sensitive electronics.

The manual for most of these specifically recommend against powering sensitive electronics, specifically some types of electronic battery chargers.

The modern switching power supply used in good quality battery chargers, or even in the compact size battery chargers require normal sine-wave electricity and "Modified Sine Wave" power is not appropriate.

I realize that many use these common inverters without apparent damage to their chargers.

For some battery types, it is relatively easy to purchase a low cost, 12-volt dc battery charger. For the more expensive battery types, these are harder to find.

One alternative is to get a sine-wave inverter at substantially more cost.

Adam Letch · May 22nd, 2008, 05:22 PM

thats great, I'll see what I can find, thanks everyone, appreciate your feedback

regards

Adam

Dan Keaton · May 22nd, 2008, 07:12 PM

Dear Adam,

You are most welcome.

Ben Longden · May 27th, 2008, 06:02 AM

I keep an inverter in the car just for charging up the camera and light batteries when working MON (Middle Of Nowhere) or on the return trip from a news shoot.

I also keep a 20 metre extension cord as well - and a 'surgebuster' to plug into whatever mains power source I use - inverter or main grid - as added insurance.

I would suggest avoiding a generator, unless its one of the reeeally expensive ones like Honda. I have seen an audio amp let all the smoke out, a power plug sparkle, and the extension cord go up in flames at a wedding in the bush. Nearly melted my shoes, stomping out the flames!

Ben

May 21st, 2008, 01:37 AM	#1
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	What's the best way to charge batteries when off the grid? Hi Guys, I'm about to go into one of the most remote areas of Australia to film, I'm using the HD251 and VMount batteris, has anyone used Generators or similar to recharge the batteries, and did you use some sort of power regulator? Or a good solar battery charging system? thanks Adam

May 21st, 2008, 08:18 AM	#2
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	I use a simple 150W 12V cigarette lighter to AC inverter with my charger and it works fine. I also have a 400W inverter with a battery system that can be charged with a solar attachment. I generally use this for my laptop charger but it works with the Anton Bauer charger too. Moved this to "Home, Away from Home" forum. __________________ Tim Dashwood

May 21st, 2008, 11:21 AM	#3
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	I also use a 12v DC inverter. I also have a set of battery clamps that connect to a cigarette lighter (female) jack so that I can tap into the actual car battery (while parked of course) if the car we've arranged either doesn't have a cigarette lighter (RIGHT!) or it just doesn't work. If I need to, I'll pop the hood, attach the battery leads and then plug in my inverter. Newer inverters sometimes come with battery clamps standard. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

May 21st, 2008, 03:08 PM	#4
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Adam, Depending on your camera, you may be able to purchase a DC operated battery charger for your batteries. Canon makes a nice one for their BP-NNN batteries. This would be more efficient than using an inverter to power a 110 V powered battery charger. Of course, efficiency is not a big concern in most cases. But, if you have a battery that is going to be on the charger for hours and you car will not be running, efficiency can be a concern. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

May 22nd, 2008, 03:41 AM	#5
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	Thanks guys so do you use your standard battery charger and just plug it into a 12v cigarette lighter? I'm just concerned over the quality of power being supplied whether it could destroy the batteries or even the charger, which is a globalmediapro vmount charger as well, I'm not sure how robust its circuitry is. Just don't want to destroy it and have no backup

May 22nd, 2008, 04:37 AM	#6
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Adam, Most common inverters are "Modified Sine Wave". This type of power is ok for some items, but not for sensitive electronics. The manual for most of these specifically recommend against powering sensitive electronics, specifically some types of electronic battery chargers. The modern switching power supply used in good quality battery chargers, or even in the compact size battery chargers require normal sine-wave electricity and "Modified Sine Wave" power is not appropriate. I realize that many use these common inverters without apparent damage to their chargers. For some battery types, it is relatively easy to purchase a low cost, 12-volt dc battery charger. For the more expensive battery types, these are harder to find. One alternative is to get a sine-wave inverter at substantially more cost. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

May 22nd, 2008, 05:22 PM	#7
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	Thanks for Dan thats great, I'll see what I can find, thanks everyone, appreciate your feedback regards Adam

May 22nd, 2008, 07:12 PM	#8
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Adam, You are most welcome. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

May 27th, 2008, 06:02 AM	#9
Ben Longden Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Echuca, Victoria, Australiamate Posts: 179	I keep an inverter in the car just for charging up the camera and light batteries when working MON (Middle Of Nowhere) or on the return trip from a news shoot. I also keep a 20 metre extension cord as well - and a 'surgebuster' to plug into whatever mains power source I use - inverter or main grid - as added insurance. I would suggest avoiding a generator, unless its one of the reeeally expensive ones like Honda. I have seen an audio amp let all the smoke out, a power plug sparkle, and the extension cord go up in flames at a wedding in the bush. Nearly melted my shoes, stomping out the flames! Ben