Anton Bauer battery question at DVinfo.net

John-Paul Bonadonna · August 19th, 2008, 07:30 AM

Hello,

I have in my possession an Anton Bauer Digital Trimpac 14 battery. While it states that it is rated for 14.4 volts, it meters at 15.6 (and that is what the camera displays as well). We are concerned that there could be issues as we've read the camera wants 13.2?

We've also noted the JVC preferred accessory battery is the Dionic series, which is also rated at 14.4 volts...

so the questions are - is anyone using the Trimpac 14? Are there any issues with seeing numbers as high as 15.6? Is the camera smart enough to only draw what it needs? Is there any chance of damage to the camera, or are the Dionic series pumping out the same numbers as this Trimpac battery?

THANKS!

jpb

Shaun Roemich · August 19th, 2008, 08:38 AM

The 14.4v NOMINAL batteries have 12 cells, each generating a NOMINAL 1.2v each for a total of 14.4v. All professional rechargeable batteries will charge past the nominal (or ~average) voltage and drain past 1.2v each (although if they OVER discharge, the polarity on the cell "flips" and DRAINS power instead of contributing voltage).

I've seen AB battery systems as high as 17.5v. I wouldn't worry about it.

John-Paul Bonadonna · August 19th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Simple addendum then - is anyone using the Dionic batteries? And is anyone else using any battery which provides a 15.x V reading? (and I assume with no trouble at all...)

jpb

Shaun Roemich · August 19th, 2008, 12:47 PM

Just measured 16.63v on my Dionic 90 (I own 2) fresh off the charger. Never had a problem on my HD200U yet.

Greg Bellotte · August 19th, 2008, 01:23 PM

if you are metering the battery while it is not connected to the camera the reading is going to be high because there is no load on it. meter it while connected and you'll get something closer to 14.4-which is only a guidline. much like 12 volt car batteries that are in practice closer to 13.8v. there are regulators and fuses in the cam that will keep you from frying it (most of the time anyway) if you put a non standard battery on it. but AB gold mounts are all fully interchangeable between cameras, designed that way, and SERIOUSLY proven by the broadcast industry. AB is all i use...three of them are Dionic 90's.

Shaun Roemich · August 19th, 2008, 01:29 PM

Thanks Greg. Yeah, I forgot to mention the "no load" part of 16.63 V. My bad.

John-Paul Bonadonna · August 19th, 2008, 01:44 PM

Thanks everyone! And this message just arrived from David Walton of JVC...

Yes, the camera can safely handle a battery input voltage up to 18v.

John Sirb · August 19th, 2008, 02:12 PM

can't say I've ever heard anyone say they blew up their camera because of an AB.
I get a 15 something with a Hytron 120 on my HD200

August 19th, 2008, 07:30 AM	#1
John-Paul Bonadonna Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Windsor, ON, Canada Posts: 47	Anton Bauer battery question Hello, I have in my possession an Anton Bauer Digital Trimpac 14 battery. While it states that it is rated for 14.4 volts, it meters at 15.6 (and that is what the camera displays as well). We are concerned that there could be issues as we've read the camera wants 13.2? We've also noted the JVC preferred accessory battery is the Dionic series, which is also rated at 14.4 volts... so the questions are - is anyone using the Trimpac 14? Are there any issues with seeing numbers as high as 15.6? Is the camera smart enough to only draw what it needs? Is there any chance of damage to the camera, or are the Dionic series pumping out the same numbers as this Trimpac battery? THANKS! jpb

August 19th, 2008, 08:38 AM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	The 14.4v NOMINAL batteries have 12 cells, each generating a NOMINAL 1.2v each for a total of 14.4v. All professional rechargeable batteries will charge past the nominal (or ~average) voltage and drain past 1.2v each (although if they OVER discharge, the polarity on the cell "flips" and DRAINS power instead of contributing voltage). I've seen AB battery systems as high as 17.5v. I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

August 19th, 2008, 12:47 PM	#4
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Just measured 16.63v on my Dionic 90 (I own 2) fresh off the charger. Never had a problem on my HD200U yet. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

August 19th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#6
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Thanks Greg. Yeah, I forgot to mention the "no load" part of 16.63 V. My bad. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

August 19th, 2008, 02:12 PM	#8
John Sirb Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Amherst, OH Posts: 134	can't say I've ever heard anyone say they blew up their camera because of an AB. I get a 15 something with a Hytron 120 on my HD200 __________________ John Sirb Lake Breeze Video

August 19th, 2008, 12:38 PM	#3
John-Paul Bonadonna Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Windsor, ON, Canada Posts: 47	Simple addendum then - is anyone using the Dionic batteries? And is anyone else using any battery which provides a 15.x V reading? (and I assume with no trouble at all...) jpb

August 19th, 2008, 01:23 PM	#5
Greg Bellotte Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 291	if you are metering the battery while it is not connected to the camera the reading is going to be high because there is no load on it. meter it while connected and you'll get something closer to 14.4-which is only a guidline. much like 12 volt car batteries that are in practice closer to 13.8v. there are regulators and fuses in the cam that will keep you from frying it (most of the time anyway) if you put a non standard battery on it. but AB gold mounts are all fully interchangeable between cameras, designed that way, and SERIOUSLY proven by the broadcast industry. AB is all i use...three of them are Dionic 90's.

August 19th, 2008, 01:44 PM	#7
John-Paul Bonadonna Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Windsor, ON, Canada Posts: 47	Thanks everyone! And this message just arrived from David Walton of JVC... Yes, the camera can safely handle a battery input voltage up to 18v.