Anyone use Switronix batts with EX3 at DVinfo.net

Micheal McAlexander · November 25th, 2009, 04:54 PM

Hey all,

I've been trying to get my Switronix batteries (XP-L90s) to work with my EX3 but I've never had luck. Now it won't even run off my AC adapter into the DC input.

Does it matter that the DC input is 12v and the batteries are 14.8v -- or am I missing something here?

Cheers,

Micheal

Olof Ekbergh · November 25th, 2009, 06:38 PM

I had an interesting experience with my EX3 trying to run it on non battery power.

The connector was not providing power. I think something got stuck in the jack. I could not get it out, it may be that it was there from the start. But I shaved a little off the plastic on the plug (about a 1/64"), with sandpaper, and that fixed the problem now the plug goes in far enough to make a good connection. A year later now it still works fine.

This may not be your problem but it I thought it was worth mentioning.

Brooks Graham · November 26th, 2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micheal McAlexander

Hey all,

I've been trying to get my Switronix batteries (XP-L90s) to work with my EX3 but I've never had luck. Now it won't even run off my AC adapter into the DC input.

Does it matter that the DC input is 12v and the batteries are 14.8v -- or am I missing something here?

Cheers,

Micheal

Yikes, that doesn't sound good. Probably stating the obvious, but make sure the switch on the supplied charger / AC adapter is set to "DC Out".

And don't worry about the voltage. I use Anton Bauer batteries with my EX3 and they are 14.4v (and that's a good thing as if you used batteries that start out as 12v, they wouldn't last very long on a charge)

It sounds like you may have a bad battery and you may want to return it for replacement. I really hope your camera is okay. If the Switronix battery damaged it, Switronix should pay for the repairs.

Micheal McAlexander · November 26th, 2009, 08:21 PM

Yeah the DC out is set on the adapter.

I checked all the batteries and they are all under 17v. I don't see how they could cause the problem (unless I'm missing something). I guess the AC adapter cable could be faulty but that doesn't seem likely.

Seems to me something wrong with the DC IN circuit on the EX3.

THis is the 2nd time this has happened. Gonna see if Sony will replace it. Good thing I bought a 3 year warranty :)

Micheal

Alex Dolgin · November 26th, 2009, 10:04 PM

You are not missing anything. All Li-Ion batteries of this size (they have four 3.7v cells connected as a string) start with about 16V fully charged, discharging down to about 12V at the end. It does not matter which manufacturer they came from; it is an inherent property of a Li-Ion battery. There is no way a battery can damage your camera. It sounds like you have a connection problem (faulty jack?). Also, I believe you need to remove the BP-U30/60 battery from the camera in order to be able to use the 12V jack, but I could be wrong on that.

Olof Ekbergh · November 27th, 2009, 11:30 AM

As I mentioned earlier, check if there is something stuck in the camera jack. If there is then the plug will not go in all the way. It can be very hard to tell but take a flash light and check.

Be very careful if you try to remove something lodged in there. Make sure batterie is disconnected if you probe with any metal in the jack.

Micheal McAlexander · November 27th, 2009, 12:07 PM

Alex - thanks for the batt info... I didn't know that :) Yes I did remove the BP-U30 and tried -- no joy

Olof - yes I checked and no foreign objects in the DC jack :(

Guess it goes back to Sony.

I am not happy with Sony right now :(

I plan to shoot a digi-feature this summer as part of a class I teach at the university I work at. I gotta get this solved soon.

November 25th, 2009, 04:54 PM	#1
Micheal McAlexander Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frostburg, MD Posts: 47	Anyone use Switronix batts with EX3 Hey all, I've been trying to get my Switronix batteries (XP-L90s) to work with my EX3 but I've never had luck. Now it won't even run off my AC adapter into the DC input. Does it matter that the DC input is 12v and the batteries are 14.8v -- or am I missing something here? Cheers, Micheal

November 26th, 2009, 10:04 PM	#5
Alex Dolgin Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lexington, Ma Posts: 286	You are not missing anything. All Li-Ion batteries of this size (they have four 3.7v cells connected as a string) start with about 16V fully charged, discharging down to about 12V at the end. It does not matter which manufacturer they came from; it is an inherent property of a Li-Ion battery. There is no way a battery can damage your camera. It sounds like you have a connection problem (faulty jack?). Also, I believe you need to remove the BP-U30/60 battery from the camera in order to be able to use the 12V jack, but I could be wrong on that. __________________ Alex Dolgin Dolgin Engineering Camera DC Power accessories, Fast 4 position Battery Charger http://www.dolgin.net

November 25th, 2009, 06:38 PM	#2
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	I had an interesting experience with my EX3 trying to run it on non battery power. The connector was not providing power. I think something got stuck in the jack. I could not get it out, it may be that it was there from the start. But I shaved a little off the plastic on the plug (about a 1/64"), with sandpaper, and that fixed the problem now the plug goes in far enough to make a good connection. A year later now it still works fine. This may not be your problem but it I thought it was worth mentioning.

November 26th, 2009, 08:21 PM	#4
Micheal McAlexander Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frostburg, MD Posts: 47	Yeah the DC out is set on the adapter. I checked all the batteries and they are all under 17v. I don't see how they could cause the problem (unless I'm missing something). I guess the AC adapter cable could be faulty but that doesn't seem likely. Seems to me something wrong with the DC IN circuit on the EX3. THis is the 2nd time this has happened. Gonna see if Sony will replace it. Good thing I bought a 3 year warranty :) Micheal

November 27th, 2009, 11:30 AM	#6
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	As I mentioned earlier, check if there is something stuck in the camera jack. If there is then the plug will not go in all the way. It can be very hard to tell but take a flash light and check. Be very careful if you try to remove something lodged in there. Make sure batterie is disconnected if you probe with any metal in the jack.

November 27th, 2009, 12:07 PM	#7
Micheal McAlexander Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frostburg, MD Posts: 47	Alex - thanks for the batt info... I didn't know that :) Yes I did remove the BP-U30 and tried -- no joy Olof - yes I checked and no foreign objects in the DC jack :( Guess it goes back to Sony. I am not happy with Sony right now :( I plan to shoot a digi-feature this summer as part of a class I teach at the university I work at. I gotta get this solved soon.