2010Batteries/Power forum
Power distribution issues when using dual batteries with F35/Genesis cameras and Y-cables
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- When powering F35 and Genesis cameras with Dionic batteries using a Y-cable split between camera power and auxiliary power ports, one battery drains completely while the other remains unused or shows a flashing indicator.
- Installing diodes in Anton Bauer gold mount plates did not resolve the unequal power distribution problem in this case.
- Switching to a dual 12V camera power jumper block with a Y-cable that splits between two camera power ports instead of one camera and one auxiliary port resolved the unequal battery drain issue.
- With the dual camera power configuration, batteries drained equally and sustained longer operating times without the batteries being depleted.
- A backward-installed diode would prevent power output entirely rather than cause unequal load distribution.
Depends on
- The workaround requires purchasing a separate dual 12V camera power jumper block ($250).
- Concerns were raised that routing all amperage through a single cable run instead of splitting the load between two runs could potentially cause overheating if multiple high-draw accessories are used simultaneously.
- The underlying cause of the initial power distribution problem was not definitively identified despite extensive testing by technicians.
- Solution was only confirmed for one specific operator's setup and may not work universally.
- Success with diode installation was reported by a different operator with a standard camera/auxiliary configuration, suggesting the problem may not be universal.