2025From a Facebook group: Steadicam operators group
Power supply for Steadicam® Axis on hard mount: cable routing and battery options for extended interview operation without camera battery
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- The 3-pin connector on the bottom of the Axis is output only, not input, as confirmed by direct testing.
- Options include a Sharkfin battery holder with two batteries mounted below, a Sharkfin with battery on one side and dummy plate on the other connected to a block battery on a cable, a dummy Gold Mount plate with 4-pin XLR socket, direct power feed at the Gold Mount connector input, or D-Tap adapter cables from the sled connector to external power supply or large capacity battery.
- Cable routing near the gimbal pivot is critical: lead cables from the camera at top stage around the tube to the gimbal hand, then along the arm; routing cables at the sled base or far from the pivot introduces unwanted lever action that motors must correct, severely degrading operation.
- Classical method routes the cable from the gimbal exit with a long loop (approximately two-thirds sled length) to the vest or shoulder; cable twist causes most damage.
- Multiple batteries mounted below without balancing weight above shifts the gimbal to an unfavorable position on the post.
- Broadcast style routes a block battery cable from the camera along the sled to the handle and arm, enabling all-day operation; secure the tripod with sandbags before mounting the sled.
- One operator advocates Sharkfin battery at the sled as preferable to any external cabling, since each cable complicates operation; others favor external cable-based systems to avoid bottom weight and gimbal imbalance.
Depends on
- Sharkfin on sled vs. external power delivery—no consensus reached.
- Optimal cable routing depends on specific sled geometry and camera weight.
- All-day operation feasibility depends on total battery capacity and power draw.
Parts
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