2007Batteries/Power forum
Balancing camera rig weight distribution when replacing CRT monitor with lighter LCD monitor
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Placing additional weight at the bottom front of the sled requires less total weight than mounting it at the monitor position to achieve the same balancing effect.
- LCD monitors are significantly lighter than CRT monitors, creating a front-heavy imbalance that must be compensated for through repositioning batteries, adding dead weight, or extending the monitor arm.
- Dynamic balance can be maintained by moving the monitor further away from the post rather than adding dead weight, though this may reduce desirable weight distribution for heavier cameras.
- Adding a third battery positioned at the front of the sled provides both balancing weight and useful power capacity, which is preferable to mounting dead weight if power demands justify it.
- A modified battery base that allows the third battery to mount at the front for LCD setups while maintaining below-post mounting for CRT setups enables flexible configuration for either monitor type.
- Scuba weights with L-brackets can be permanently attached to monitor mounting points using adhesive for inexpensive counterbalancing without adding battery capacity.
- The specific balancing solution depends on camera weight and power requirements—lighter cameras may need minimal or no additional weight, while heavier cameras benefit from front-mounted ballast.
Depends on
- Solutions vary depending on the specific CRT and LCD monitor weights being swapped.
- Dynamic balance was not measured in all test cases, so some solutions were implemented without verification of actual balance improvement.
- Battery-based balancing solutions only work if additional power capacity is genuinely needed.
- Monitor arm extension requires modification to the sled structure and may not be practical for all rig designs.
- Results described are from specific monitor models including Transvideo Cinemonitor IIIa and Boland 8.4 inch daybright, which may not generalize to all LCD options.