2011Video Assist and Video Accessories forum
Powering multiple wireless video accessories stacked on a cinema camera through battery sled power
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Multiple video accessories can be powered through a single sled power connection using an XLR Y-cable to split power between the camera and transmitter components.
- An Anton Bauer snap-on XLR adapter plate can be mounted on the back of a camera to provide D-Tap power output that feeds back through the battery mounting system.
- Some camera models including the F900R have a retracting pin inside the 4-pin XLR power socket that cuts off D-Tap power when engaged, which can be worked around by drilling out the corresponding XLR connector plug and marking it as a modified cable.
- When powering a F900R with RF Central transmitter and other accessories through a sled, using two PowerCubes provided approximately three hours of runtime for the complete stacked setup on a camera rig with arm extension.
- Wireless focus motor calibration should be performed without the motor control unit connected to ensure proper operation.
- Higher amperage battery configuration may be needed when powering multiple high-draw components simultaneously from a single sled power source.
Depends on
- The setup was specifically tested on a F900R model, not the older F900.
- Power draw from different camera models varies, with the F900 being noted as more power-hungry than some other tested configurations.
- The AirPaint component's powering method was not clearly resolved in the discussion.
- Results were from a single production use case with specific equipment configuration.
- The drilling modification for XLR connectors creates a specialized cable requiring marking and careful handling.
Gear in this thread
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