boodschap Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi all, I'm building my first sound cart for my first feature film. Now I'm looking for a way to power and charge it. Of course I've found Powermax, PSC and Meon, but they are way out of my budget right now. Anyone experience in powering equipment without the expensive powering systems, with lead acid batteries? It needs to run my SD744, a 442, 3 wireless sennheiser, all on hirose. And if possible I'd like it to run my macbook as well... Anyone some DIY-tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 what batteries do you normally use? if you have NP1's already, consider http://www.hawkwoods.com/products/details/details.php?code=apd&mainMenuItemToSlide=4&asi=mr4&asi2=np-65 you can also get a dummy NP1 to allow you to power it from the mains, though i have found, that in its current configuration, it will still draw power from the other NP1's when using the mains adapter. (i have spoken to Hawkwoods about this, but i think what i want may be difficult to achieve) think hawk woods have some mac power solutions, but the mac is not helped by wanting 18+ volts rather than 12 that our kit likes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodschap Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 For my sound bag I'm using V-locks, with my 744 als powered by the V-locks, they run out too quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Before I had a Meon, I used a small car battery, a sine inverter and a cheap distribution such as this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/683623-REG/American_Audio_PDP_850_PDP_850_Power_Distribution_Panel.html The advantage was that I didn't need to worry about 12V. It could power everything, including a MacBook for a full day easily. Disadvantage was the weight though. It's a pretty low-cost solution that works quite well. I even sometimes powered an Alesis HD-24 and an RME Octamic to it. Worked perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 what Vlocks are you using? i worked with a mixer who would power his 788, mixer and radios amongst other things and only get through 2 a day. think they were the 90WH versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkautzsch Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I use a 17 AH lead battery, and for days longer than about 10 hrs, I have a second battery ready. No laptops here that require strange voltages. Gear all is fine with 12 Volts (actually, most of it takes 9...18 V): SD 788T Two Audio En2 dual RX (formerly/alternatively: rental Audio Ltd. rack holding four RX, or Lectro VR Field) racked IFB transmitter racked LCD monitor a few LED lamps sometimes a small speaker Each and every one of them has different connectors, so I made a few adaptor cables to XLR-4, and now just have a handful of XLR-4 sockets on my cart where everything can connect everywhere. Intern proof. For bag work I power the 788T and the RX from a 5.2 AH NP1. No lamps, small IFB TX is powered by one AAA cell. All batteries are changed at noon. As for Hirose, you need some soldering skills. They are a bit bitchy soldering-wise, compared to XLRs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodschap Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Thanks guys! Constantin, you used the inverter to power the power distribution to power your macbook and I guess you just use the power for your devices straight from the lead acid? Any thoughts on batteries and chargers? I was thinking: http://www.conrad.be/ce/nl/product/250214/Conrad-energy-Conrad-energy-onderhoudsvrije-loodaccu-12-V-17-Ah-M5-schroef-Loodvlies-b-x-h-x-d-181-x-167-x-76-mm-CE12V/0501010&ref=list and http://www.conrad.be/ce/nl/product/201204/Ansmann-Tafel-loodacculader-ALCT-12-4-9294058510-ALCT-12-4-Lood-oplader-voor-Loodgel-Loodzuur-Loodvlies/0502152&ref=list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodschap Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 My V-locks are 2.7 Ah, so when I use a mixer, a recorder and receivers, I wont make it the day through with 2 batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justanross Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I am also looking at setting up a cart this year. I like the idea of the Hawkwood. But I was looking at this: https://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A26VT6/Globalmediapro-Li792-Lithium-ion-Battery-System-792WH/ Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I am also looking at setting up a cart this year. I like the idea of the Hawkwood. But I was looking at this: https://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A26VT6/Globalmediapro-Li792-Lithium-ion-Battery-System-792WH/ Thoughts? Capacity : 792 Wh, 15 V - 52.8 Ah Justan, Justan, Justan... still as subtle as a sledgehammer. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Thanks guys! Constantin, you used the inverter to power the power distribution to power your macbook and I guess you just use the power for your devices straight from the lead acid? Any thoughts on batteries and chargers? I was thinking: http://www.conrad.be/ce/nl/product/250214/Conrad-energy-Conrad-energy-onderhoudsvrije-loodaccu-12-V-17-Ah-M5-schroef-Loodvlies-b-x-h-x-d-181-x-167-x-76-mm-CE12V/0501010&ref=list and http://www.conrad.be/ce/nl/product/201204/Ansmann-Tafel-loodacculader-ALCT-12-4-9294058510-ALCT-12-4-Lood-oplader-voor-Loodgel-Loodzuur-Loodvlies/0502152&ref=list Yes, inverter to distro, but then I powered everything from the power distribution. I just used the regular power supplies that came with the gear. The distributor will give you some feedback as to the batts status. Also it has lights built in. Those batteries and charger will probably work fine, but I am no expert. I used an actual car battery which I took out of my car, plus some charger, which I think I did buy from Conrad. Most importantly, make sure the inverters rating is sufficient. When I was powering my Alesis HD-24 with it, my original inverter's fuse tripped whenever I switched it on. So I had buy a bigger one. I rackmounted everything, by the way, except for the battery which would just sit out in the open next to my cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I am also looking at setting up a cart this year. I like the idea of the Hawkwood. But I was looking at this: https://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A26VT6/Globalmediapro-Li792-Lithium-ion-Battery-System-792WH/ Thoughts? It may be a bit over-specced. Do you need 15V? Could well be too much for some gear. Also, if you are spending that kind of money, you could also get the Meon LiFE, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Find a used PowerMax (the small one, not the Ultra). You can get them for around $400-$500. Add a PSC LiFe Pelican Battery and you have a rather small and light power distro system for about $1000. Yes, the LiFe battery is more expensive, but it will last longer and you will seriously be happy with how much lighter it is than a sealed acid battery. I find most people run a laptop straight off of AC as opposed to on an inverter, as laptops are generally power hungry but can run on their own for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 This guy makes multi input to MagSafe output converters for charging MacBook Pros (yes, they need 18v input to charge, but can run off 12v without charging the battery). http://mikegyver.com/IdeasnProducts/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justanross Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I am also looking at setting up a cart this year. I like the idea of the Hawkwood. But I was looking at this: https://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A26VT6/Globalmediapro-Li792-Lithium-ion-Battery-System-792WH/ Thoughts? LOL! I was thinking I'd get acouple of things and power everything on set. The way the electrics have to come to me for power HAHAHAHA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodschap Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 So you hook things up straight to the lead acid? Soldering wont be a problem and I have some place left in my rack for xlr-power connectors,so this might be the best option for now. I use a 17 AH lead battery, and for days longer than about 10 hrs, I have a second battery ready. No laptops here that require strange voltages. As for Hirose, you need some soldering skills. They are a bit bitchy soldering-wise, compared to XLRs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justanross Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Since you guys asked. I'll tell you what I am trying to decide with my cart. I either want to do a RastOrder SU cart: http://www.rastorder.com.au/ In that case I would do everything rack mounted. So yes MEon for power. But I also like the idea of Chinhda's portable cart: http://www.productionrecording.com/Tools/T_SlotCart.html#newdevelopments. But it has no rack mounting capability. In that case I'd look at this: https://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A26VV1/Globalmediapro-Li422-Lithium-ion-Battery-System-422WH/ for power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Chindha is making a rack version of his portable cart as we speak. There are a few prototypes available for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 I am also looking at setting up a cart this year. I like the idea of the Hawkwood. But I was looking at this: https://www.globalmediapro.com/dp/A26VT6/Globalmediapro-Li792-Lithium-ion-Battery-System-792WH/ Thoughts? very stupid design imho, with a switch that can easily be knocked around, and you have 30 intsead of 15V... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodschap Posted January 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 BTW: where can I get a set of those nice big wheels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Davies Amps CAS Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Hi all, I'm building my first sound cart for my first feature film. Now I'm looking for a way to power and charge it. Of course I've found Powermax, PSC and Meon, but they are way out of my budget right now. Anyone experience in powering equipment without the expensive powering systems, with lead acid batteries? It needs to run my SD744, a 442, 3 wireless sennheiser, all on hirose. And if possible I'd like it to run my macbook as well... Anyone some DIY-tips? You will find that a lithium NP! will run your recorder and mixer for about 5or 6 hours. Another one will power your radios for about the same time. Alternatively use a 35A/h Lead Acid battery that has a 10amp power unit strapped across it so that if AC is available and your power unit is capable of being tweaked up to giving 14 volts this will keep the lead acid with enough float charge to last well over the day. 2 Hawk woods adapters cost about $160. and 6 NP1 will cost $450. Hope this helps. Malcolm Davies. A.m.p.s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McL Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 You've inspired me with your post to deal with selling the PowerMax Ultra that's been sitting for the last months. Thanks! What I loved about this piece of kit was the ability to easily use two external SLA batteries with its two Speakon connectors, the high number of 4-pin out's (12), and the variable voltages available. Went over to the PowerStar last winter after a year with the Ultra due to "smaller cart" rebuild and adding another RX4900 to the rack. Try to resist the urge to go with another DC distro solution so soon, but the Power Star Life and Meon Life options are strong temptations. Were I to start again today on a small budget, I'd likely go used with older-but-still-great SLA distro tech. If someone makes me a good enough offer for this unit and two of my three SLA Pelican-cased batteries, I'll likely make the switch to Life tech this winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodschap Posted February 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 So I bought a 24Ah lead-acid, some 4-pin chassis XLR, and fabricated some XLR4-hirose power cables. Works nice. I'm planning to built in a 5A fuse, had a cable got smoking hot because of shortening :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 This discussion sounds very familiar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmase Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 Check out "west mountain radio" They make som prett inexpensive systems if your willing to do a little soldering and crimping. you can get a 40 amp system for about 300 bucks plus a battery and some 4 pin connectors. I used one for about 5 years w never a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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