2006Batteries/Power forum
Battery options and configurations for powering the XCS Ultimate Steadicam sled with various cinema cameras
20 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
- The XCS sled features a regulated power supply that maintains consistent voltage output regardless of battery charge level, eliminating voltage fluctuations that affect other sleds.
- No single battery type works optimally for all cameras; different combinations are recommended depending on the specific camera being used.
- Nickel-cadmium batteries like Trimpacs and Proformers remain valuable in mixed battery setups because they deliver high current surges needed by film cameras like the 435, while lithium-ion batteries alone may shut down under high amperage demands.
- Lithium-ion batteries such as Dionics and PowerCubes provide excellent runtime but require at least one nickel-cadmium battery in the system when powering high-demand film cameras.
- The XCS sled drains all installed batteries at the same rate regardless of battery type or chemistry, ensuring balanced discharge and extending overall battery lifespan.
- PowerCubes with specialized cells and electronics can handle continuous 10-amp draws and higher, making them suitable for demanding applications like the Genesis camera that would exceed standard lithium-ion battery capabilities.
- The Genesis camera exceeds the XCS 12-volt power supply capabilities in standard configuration; split-mode operation with external power connection to the camera is necessary.
- Recelling discontinued batteries like Proformers at service centers costs significantly less than purchasing new batteries and preserves compatibility with existing chargers and mounts.
- Battery selection should account for weight distribution and balance requirements of the sled rather than being limited to what the mounting system can physically fit.
- Temperature extremes of minus five to positive six degrees Celsius did not significantly degrade PowerCube performance during extended field use.
Depends on
- Recommendations are from a 2006 forum discussing equipment technology that has evolved significantly since then.
- Genesis camera operation requires non-standard workarounds and remains problematic for standard XCS configurations.
- Some participants reported Dionic batteries failing well before two years of use, but this was not universally confirmed.
- Specific pricing and availability information is from 2006 and no longer current.
- One participant's claim about PowerCubes versus standard IDX batteries showing no practical difference contradicts another participant's technical analysis, with no resolution reached.
- Limited operational data on RED camera power requirements as the system was still in development during this discussion.