aftermarket batteries at DVinfo.net

Lee Haggarty · May 20th, 2013, 01:10 PM

Probably been asked a bit before but has anyone tried any of the vbg6 cheap batteries such as these?

digitalmediastore: Panasonic VW-VBG6 compatible rechargeable battery from Dot.Foto

Seems too good to be true. I have a mixture of batteries for my AC160's and they all seem to last similar times. I have genuine panasonic, swit, IDX and Hahnel. They all work fine and charge with teh original panasonic charger.
I need at least a couple more batts so I can handle 2 jobs on consecutive days etc. There seem to be so many available. I'm tempted by the cheap ones but at the same time dont want to waste money.

Thanks,

Lee.

Chris Harding · May 20th, 2013, 08:41 PM

Hi Lee

I had 4 VB6 batteries for my AC-130's and they work fine BUT (see the big BUT) there are two issues to be aware of :
Firstly the battery might not initally communicate with the camera ..easy solution just turn the cam off and back on again a few times if you get "This battery cannot be used" message...it takes a few tries before the cam recognises the chip in the battery

Secondly ..the aftermarkets will show a time remaining of around 260 minutes ...however once it gets down to under 100 minutes it drops drastically and dies so I only used mine for non-critical events like wedding reception dancing where if a battery fails it's no big deal .... things like wedding ceremonies always needed genuine Panny batteries

They are useful to have in your bag and can save you and at around $30 are worth having

Chris

Nate Haustein · May 20th, 2013, 10:13 PM

Agree with Chris. I've been burned before by grabbing the aftermarket batteries during a critical event. The time remaining is NOT accurate and therefore should only be used as backup - on the ones I have, 26 minutes usually means "dead." However, they're great for an emergency battery to keep in your bag or for things like monitors. Since I consider all my work mission critical, I plan on bringing enough genuine Panasonic brand batteries to last the entire shoot, only delving into the aftermarket spares if things get hairy.

Lee Haggarty · May 21st, 2013, 03:24 AM

Thanks guys.

I do find that the ones I have are all pretty similar in performance time and pretty accurate so might stick with those brands etc. Do you know of any rapid/quicker chargers for the batteries?

Cheers,

Lee.

Mike Beckett · May 21st, 2013, 11:29 AM

I'd be interested in a charger too, if it doesn't break the bank.

I've gone with the Panasonic batteries. £150 each, it's eye watering. My batteries cost more than most peoples cameras do! But I got the collywobbles when I started worrying about losing filming with 3rd party batteries.

Alastair Traill · May 21st, 2013, 10:22 PM

I purchased an after market battery for my TM 900. So far no complaints, it has twice the capacity of the original and only cost ~ $20.
The TM 900 can be used on an external power supply such as the one supplied. It is also possible to make up a lead connected to battery that can supply the required 1.2 amps at 9.3 volts. As the camera battery is left in place there is no problem as to whether or not the camera will recognize the secondary battery. Adjustable voltage regulators such as the LM317T are around $2 and with a few other components can be set to deliver the 9.3 volts from a supply of 11 volts or more. A 7 ah sealed lead acid battery at ~ $20 should be set to run a TM 900 for about 4 or 5 times as long as the standard battery. An advantage is that if the camera is turned off its battery will be charged by the secondary battery. The disadvantage is the 7 ah SLA battery is hefty and bulky but if like me you spend a lot of time with the camera running while waiting for things to happen this is a minor inconvenience.

Chris Harding · May 21st, 2013, 10:37 PM

Hi Alastair

I made up a much more portable package when I had my Panny's and it worked very well too. Instead of using heavy lead acid packs you can get rather neat 9900mah 12v CCTV batteries on ebay ..Just add a voltage regulator board ...My HMC's needed 8.3 volts into the external power and yes it bypasses the battery chip circuitry too ... The Li-Ion packs are tiny and light and I put mine in a plastic box from JayCar Electronics and with a simple clamp it fitted under the camera tripod mount neatly. When to get the battery it also comes with a charger and no 2nd battery is needed. If you search eBay for "12V CCTV battery" you will find them ... They are also great for running my LCD on my Stedicam sled (I only use the 1800mah there) I have also used them to run big LED lights too and they are awesome!!

Chris

May 20th, 2013, 01:10 PM	#1
Lee Haggarty New Boot Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Dumfries Posts: 20	aftermarket batteries Probably been asked a bit before but has anyone tried any of the vbg6 cheap batteries such as these? digitalmediastore: Panasonic VW-VBG6 compatible rechargeable battery from Dot.Foto Seems too good to be true. I have a mixture of batteries for my AC160's and they all seem to last similar times. I have genuine panasonic, swit, IDX and Hahnel. They all work fine and charge with teh original panasonic charger. I need at least a couple more batts so I can handle 2 jobs on consecutive days etc. There seem to be so many available. I'm tempted by the cheap ones but at the same time dont want to waste money. Thanks, Lee.

May 20th, 2013, 08:41 PM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: aftermarket batteries Hi Lee I had 4 VB6 batteries for my AC-130's and they work fine BUT (see the big BUT) there are two issues to be aware of : Firstly the battery might not initally communicate with the camera ..easy solution just turn the cam off and back on again a few times if you get "This battery cannot be used" message...it takes a few tries before the cam recognises the chip in the battery Secondly ..the aftermarkets will show a time remaining of around 260 minutes ...however once it gets down to under 100 minutes it drops drastically and dies so I only used mine for non-critical events like wedding reception dancing where if a battery fails it's no big deal .... things like wedding ceremonies always needed genuine Panny batteries They are useful to have in your bag and can save you and at around $30 are worth having Chris

May 20th, 2013, 10:13 PM	#3
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: aftermarket batteries Agree with Chris. I've been burned before by grabbing the aftermarket batteries during a critical event. The time remaining is NOT accurate and therefore should only be used as backup - on the ones I have, 26 minutes usually means "dead." However, they're great for an emergency battery to keep in your bag or for things like monitors. Since I consider all my work mission critical, I plan on bringing enough genuine Panasonic brand batteries to last the entire shoot, only delving into the aftermarket spares if things get hairy. __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

May 21st, 2013, 03:24 AM	#4
Lee Haggarty New Boot Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Dumfries Posts: 20	Re: aftermarket batteries Thanks guys. I do find that the ones I have are all pretty similar in performance time and pretty accurate so might stick with those brands etc. Do you know of any rapid/quicker chargers for the batteries? Cheers, Lee.

May 21st, 2013, 11:29 AM	#5
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: aftermarket batteries I'd be interested in a charger too, if it doesn't break the bank. I've gone with the Panasonic batteries. £150 each, it's eye watering. My batteries cost more than most peoples cameras do! But I got the collywobbles when I started worrying about losing filming with 3rd party batteries. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube Last edited by Mike Beckett; May 22nd, 2013 at 12:29 AM. Reason: iPad typo

May 21st, 2013, 10:22 PM	#6
Alastair Traill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 626	Re: aftermarket batteries I purchased an after market battery for my TM 900. So far no complaints, it has twice the capacity of the original and only cost ~ $20. The TM 900 can be used on an external power supply such as the one supplied. It is also possible to make up a lead connected to battery that can supply the required 1.2 amps at 9.3 volts. As the camera battery is left in place there is no problem as to whether or not the camera will recognize the secondary battery. Adjustable voltage regulators such as the LM317T are around $2 and with a few other components can be set to deliver the 9.3 volts from a supply of 11 volts or more. A 7 ah sealed lead acid battery at ~ $20 should be set to run a TM 900 for about 4 or 5 times as long as the standard battery. An advantage is that if the camera is turned off its battery will be charged by the secondary battery. The disadvantage is the 7 ah SLA battery is hefty and bulky but if like me you spend a lot of time with the camera running while waiting for things to happen this is a minor inconvenience.

May 21st, 2013, 10:37 PM	#7
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: aftermarket batteries Hi Alastair I made up a much more portable package when I had my Panny's and it worked very well too. Instead of using heavy lead acid packs you can get rather neat 9900mah 12v CCTV batteries on ebay ..Just add a voltage regulator board ...My HMC's needed 8.3 volts into the external power and yes it bypasses the battery chip circuitry too ... The Li-Ion packs are tiny and light and I put mine in a plastic box from JayCar Electronics and with a simple clamp it fitted under the camera tripod mount neatly. When to get the battery it also comes with a charger and no 2nd battery is needed. If you search eBay for "12V CCTV battery" you will find them ... They are also great for running my LCD on my Stedicam sled (I only use the 1800mah there) I have also used them to run big LED lights too and they are awesome!! Chris