power supply also a charger?

Doug Jensen · February 21st, 2011, 02:47 PM

Actually, the F3 only requires 24 watts if you're using the A/B dual link outputs. Otherwise, it's closer to 18 watts.

My BC-U2 charger/adapter can power my PDW-U1 optical drive, and that unit requires 3-amps, so I don't think that powering an F3 is going to be much of a chore for it. Not so sure about the BC-U1 because it doesn't output as much power as the U2 even though it says it does. I have not actually gotten out a meter and check things yet scientifically. If I can use a BC-U1 or BC-U2 as a charger and as an A/C adapter, that is better than adding another piece of gear.

Dave, Vortex Media is already working on a cable adapter but thank for the suggestion. I can't wait to use one myself.

Andrew Stone · February 21st, 2011, 03:40 PM

Doug, thanks for the clarification on the power draw of the F3. Most people will have the U1 and not the U2 charger/power adapter so it would be best if someone actually tested it out. By the way, it is stamped right on the bottom of the U1 charger/adapter 2A at 12V on the output.

Doug Jensen · February 21st, 2011, 04:22 PM

And the U2 also says 2A, yet one will power my PDW-U1 and the other won't. So they can't be the same.

The PDW-U1 disc drive does draw a lot of juice so it is good for testing until I have the right cable to go from a BC-U1/U2 into the F3.

I have a battery box that holds two IDX Lithium-Ion batteries that I can use to power almost any 12v device -- but it cannot power the PDW-U1 -- but it will power the F3. So, I figure if the U2 can power the PDW-U1 disc drive, then it will certainly power the F3.

I hope that makes sense. It's been a long day.

Dave Sperling · February 21st, 2011, 05:30 PM

Doug,
Good to hear that you have the cable in development.
Just took a look and my U1 drive is listed at 3Amps.
Interestingly enough the U1 XDcam drive and the US10 SxS drive both come with the same power supply - the MPA-AC1 - which is listed at 3 amps, so presumably that would be able to power the F3 with your adapter.
Looking forward to it!
Best,
Dave S.

Thierry Humeau · February 21st, 2011, 08:55 PM

Makes me think.... Should I get one U2 (more convenient) or two U1s (more redundant). About the same cost.

Thierry.

Junior Chan · February 24th, 2011, 04:27 PM

My tech did a quick test and you can power the F3 through the BCU1 and also the BCU2. He cut the cable and solder it. It works.

Leonard Levy · February 25th, 2011, 12:47 AM

Thanks Junior,
Have you tried running it for a long time to make sure it doesn't get hot. Can you hurt the BCU1 if you run it at max power for too long?

Junior Chan · February 25th, 2011, 09:55 AM

It didn't get hot, but we didn't run it for a long time though maybe 15 mins. Sorry it was a quick test.

The camcorder was for a customer and he gave me the ok to do small tests and photos of it before we shipped it out to him. Right now we don't have a demo unit to work with, every new F3 shipment that comes in our store, goes out the same day.

I might send it over to one of the rental companies to test it on their F3. Or anybody in NYC that wants to stop by our store to pick up the unit to test, contact me.

Ola Christoffersson · February 25th, 2011, 03:20 PM

This is something I'd like to do as well. Could you maybe get your tech to describe which cables go to which pins? All I have to do is get a four pin XLR-plug, right?

Junior Chan · February 25th, 2011, 03:41 PM

Hi Ola,

There are 2 wires from the charger cable, Positive and Ground.
Get a four pin XLR plug, Pins #1 (ground ) and #4(Positive) and solder the positives and the grounds.

February 21st, 2011, 02:47 PM	#16
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: power supply also a charger? Actually, the F3 only requires 24 watts if you're using the A/B dual link outputs. Otherwise, it's closer to 18 watts. My BC-U2 charger/adapter can power my PDW-U1 optical drive, and that unit requires 3-amps, so I don't think that powering an F3 is going to be much of a chore for it. Not so sure about the BC-U1 because it doesn't output as much power as the U2 even though it says it does. I have not actually gotten out a meter and check things yet scientifically. If I can use a BC-U1 or BC-U2 as a charger and as an A/C adapter, that is better than adding another piece of gear. Dave, Vortex Media is already working on a cable adapter but thank for the suggestion. I can't wait to use one myself. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

February 21st, 2011, 03:40 PM	#17
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	Re: power supply also a charger? Doug, thanks for the clarification on the power draw of the F3. Most people will have the U1 and not the U2 charger/power adapter so it would be best if someone actually tested it out. By the way, it is stamped right on the bottom of the U1 charger/adapter 2A at 12V on the output.

February 21st, 2011, 04:22 PM	#18
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: power supply also a charger? And the U2 also says 2A, yet one will power my PDW-U1 and the other won't. So they can't be the same. The PDW-U1 disc drive does draw a lot of juice so it is good for testing until I have the right cable to go from a BC-U1/U2 into the F3. I have a battery box that holds two IDX Lithium-Ion batteries that I can use to power almost any 12v device -- but it cannot power the PDW-U1 -- but it will power the F3. So, I figure if the U2 can power the PDW-U1 disc drive, then it will certainly power the F3. I hope that makes sense. It's been a long day. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

February 21st, 2011, 05:30 PM	#19
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	Re: power supply also a charger? Doug, Good to hear that you have the cable in development. Just took a look and my U1 drive is listed at 3Amps. Interestingly enough the U1 XDcam drive and the US10 SxS drive both come with the same power supply - the MPA-AC1 - which is listed at 3 amps, so presumably that would be able to power the F3 with your adapter. Looking forward to it! Best, Dave S.

February 21st, 2011, 08:55 PM	#20
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Re: power supply also a charger? Makes me think.... Should I get one U2 (more convenient) or two U1s (more redundant). About the same cost. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

February 24th, 2011, 04:27 PM	#21
Junior Chan Sponsor: EC Pro Video Inc. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 52	Re: power supply also a charger? My tech did a quick test and you can power the F3 through the BCU1 and also the BCU2. He cut the cable and solder it. It works. Attached Thumbnails __________________ E.C. Professional Video \| www.ecprovideo.com Authorized Dealer & Service Center For Professional & Broadcast Equipment.

February 25th, 2011, 12:47 AM	#22
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: power supply also a charger? Thanks Junior, Have you tried running it for a long time to make sure it doesn't get hot. Can you hurt the BCU1 if you run it at max power for too long?

February 25th, 2011, 09:55 AM	#23
Junior Chan Sponsor: EC Pro Video Inc. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 52	Re: power supply also a charger? It didn't get hot, but we didn't run it for a long time though maybe 15 mins. Sorry it was a quick test. The camcorder was for a customer and he gave me the ok to do small tests and photos of it before we shipped it out to him. Right now we don't have a demo unit to work with, every new F3 shipment that comes in our store, goes out the same day. I might send it over to one of the rental companies to test it on their F3. Or anybody in NYC that wants to stop by our store to pick up the unit to test, contact me. __________________ E.C. Professional Video \| www.ecprovideo.com Authorized Dealer & Service Center For Professional & Broadcast Equipment.

February 25th, 2011, 03:20 PM	#24
Ola Christoffersson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 462	Re: power supply also a charger? This is something I'd like to do as well. Could you maybe get your tech to describe which cables go to which pins? All I have to do is get a four pin XLR-plug, right? __________________ Ola Christoffersson, Kamrat produktion, Stockholm - Sweden www.kamrat.tv

February 25th, 2011, 03:41 PM	#25
Junior Chan Sponsor: EC Pro Video Inc. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 52	Re: power supply also a charger? Hi Ola, There are 2 wires from the charger cable, Positive and Ground. Get a four pin XLR plug, Pins #1 (ground ) and #4(Positive) and solder the positives and the grounds. __________________ E.C. Professional Video \| www.ecprovideo.com Authorized Dealer & Service Center For Professional & Broadcast Equipment.