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Sony NP-F batteries, in the bag


Matt Geldof

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Does anyone use Sony NP-F batteries in smaller bag setups? I'd like to hear about different BDS setups with different sizes and brands of NP-F type batteries and how they are working out. In my particular case, who makes a good, reasonably priced, battery sled, for NP-F (with or without distribution unit) that will work in conjunction with two Lectrosonics SMA's in the bag? (both cam hop TX units set to 50mw)

 

 

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I just bought exactly what you are asking for, for exactly the same purpose. Cynthia Harris at Pro-Sound in NYC can set you up with the same adapter, it was the Hawk-Woods DV-Aux2S IIRC, and it was like $100 or so. VERY reasonable, this is a sled with 2 switched hirose outputs on it that are regulated to 12V output.

 

I haven't tested it for more than a quick power-up-for-fun yet, so I don't know if the voltage display on the Lectro will cycle down as the power comes out of the battery... Or if it is a "switching" power supply that will always show 12v no matter what the input voltage is. My plan anyway was to use an NP-F550 or larger battery anyway so it would make a full day easily.

 

The average alkaline 9V is about 200 mAh, ipowers are ~550mAh nominal. Thinking about my 211 receivers, they last about 7.5 hours (tested) on some used ipower batteries, and easily only about 3 hours on alkalines. I did the run-flat ipower test without giving them anything to do (no TX or audio) and indoors while the alkaline time was in actual service on an outdoor gig. BUT... If you consider that the batteries are in parallel for 1100mAh on the ipowers and the NP-F550 is something like 3500mAh... 

 

I think you'd hit a full day fairly easily without it ever dropping dead on either of us, even with 2 receivers sucking off that one battery.

 

I already run with the Sony NP-F batteries (Also called the L-type for reasons I don't know) in my bag, with a dual-battery Hawk-Woods that has 4 Hirose and a "flying lead" hirose which is full-voltage instead of the regulated 12v. That is better for connecting directly to a 633 or the like, so you can monitor actual voltage.

While you could use the 4 regulated outlets to directly power your other bag stuff, I chose instead to only use the flying lead into a Battery Bud, so I can swap out the power feed from either the battery or a brick if I am not moving and can sit near a power outlet. I also can monitor the voltage on my lectros instead of just on the 633. 

 

That dual-shoe Hawk-Woods was the DV-SQN4S adapter, and IIRC, Pro-Sound sold it to me for like $160 or so.

 

I can't answer on battery brands so much yet, I have "Impact" (some knockoff) and "Ikan" (another) and Genuine Sony... And one genuine just outright quit charging on me after being in storage for a while. The knockoffs have been just overall cheap - thin plastic, weak connectors... I've fixed them and superglued them back together and they seem to be holding up, but I don't remember where I got them all. Amazon has a bunch of different options and reviews are all over the map. "Wasabi power" seems decently rated by people now, but I haven't bought any to try them out. I have enough batteries to do 1.5 full days without recharging as it is... And there is always a power outlet at the hotel for my pelican, so I'm waiting to buy more batteries for now.

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Geordi: " Or if it is a "switching" power supply that will always show 12v no matter what the input voltage is "

do you mean: Or if it is a "switching" regulated power supply that will always show output 12v no matter what the input voltage is ?

 

" The average alkaline 9V is about 200 mAh, ipowers are ~550mAh nominal. "

The average alkaline 9V is about 560 mAh, ipowers are ~520mAh nominal; carbon Zinc are around 400mAh, NiCad ~120mAh, NiMH run from ~200-300mAh

Edited by studiomprd
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I have been using the DV-SQN4S from Hawkwoods for a couple of years now and I love it. I have two types of batteries that I use: the NPF960s - for when I am not running around or when I absolutely need consistent juice and cannot swap, and

the NPF770s - which are lighter for run/gun type situations. 

 

I buy the highest mwH 770 knock-offs available and they last me (usually) until lunch running a Nomad 12 (w/ zaxnet) and 4 SRBs. 

 

Cheers,

Evan

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  • 1 year later...

I use an Ikan AC107-S as my power in bag (633, SRb, BDSv4u). It works but it's a tad flimsy. Wondering if the dual slot hawk woods would be a nice upgrade.

Adam

Adam - 

I have an unused DVSQN4S available to sell for a great price. If you're interested, shoot me an email: sendittoevan (at) gmail (dot) com

http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/25550-fs-hawk-woods-dvsqn4s-battery-distro-system/

cheers,

Evan

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  • 2 weeks later...

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