2011Center Post forum
Power delivery issues on GPI steadicam sled when using older Moviecam cameras
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Fresh Hytron batteries configured in series on a GPI rig can output 28-31 volts, which exceeds the safe operating voltage for older generation Moviecam cameras that are rated for approximately 24 volts maximum
- Voltage overage from battery packs can cause older Moviecam motors to run erratically, resulting in unstable frame rates and difficulty maintaining target speeds like 25 fps
- A voltage regulator box or regulated cable can be used to cap the output at 24 volts and prevent motor instability when using older Moviecam cameras with high-output battery configurations
- Modern Moviecam Mark 2 generation cameras do not exhibit the same voltage sensitivity issues as older Moviecam models
Depends on
- The issue is specific to older generation Moviecam cameras, not newer Mark 2 models
- No exact acceptable voltage drop threshold was specified for the sled power distribution system
- The experience was limited to a single shooting day and the underlying cause was inferred rather than confirmed through meter testing
- The user's initial problem description contained a camera model discrepancy that created uncertainty about the exact equipment used