What the thread found

• The Epic shuts down when turning on accessories like focus motors or monitors because the battery cannot provide sufficient current for multiple devices simultaneously, causing a voltage drop below the camera's minimum operating threshold.
• Using a single battery with limited capacity, especially older batteries, increases the likelihood of voltage sag when accessories draw startup current.
• Powering accessories before the camera, or using multiple batteries to distribute the power load, prevents shutdown events.
• Thin wiring in older Steadicam rigs with Hirose connectors contributes to voltage drop when high current is drawn.
• Adding a dedicated onboard battery to the camera itself provides sufficient power for the camera and reduces dependence on the main battery for all devices.
• Newer high-capacity smart batteries like Dionic HC models may provide better power delivery than older battery models.
• The Epic is deceptively power-hungry for its small size despite appearing lightweight on the rig.

Depends on

• Discussion involves an older Video SK rig with limited wiring capacity.
• The original setup used two elderly Frezzi NP-1 batteries with approximately 80Wh total capacity.
• A newer rig like the Zephyr will improve overall performance but does not completely eliminate shutdown risk with all accessory configurations.
• No definitive testing of power conditioning devices was completed.
• The reliability of batteries as power source switching mechanisms varies by model.

Gear in this thread

Zephyrcatalog

Parts

Follow Focus

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