charging the battery?
 

I have a shoot in the remote mountains for 7 days. Has any body used these solar cell mats for recharging your batteries. Wilderness areas frown on small generators.. I have found a company called Brunton that sell such an item. just wonder what input was out their... also we will be on horses, weight is a problem.

For long trips, I normally take my portable battery supply that you could buy at any Auto Part or RV place. I paid about $200 for it and it comes with 2 power plugs and a 12V outlet as well. You just charge it before your trip. When your canon batteries are low, just plug them in and charge them up (it's silent). You'll have to test it if you are going for 7 days to see if it will last that long.

See my post in the following threads which points to 3 threads
here on DVi that discussed this before:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=37956

XL / DVX batteries?
 

Anyone know if the Canon BP-945 batteries are interchangable with the DVX100 batteries?? I noticed they are both 7.2v. Thanks.

Sorry, absolutely not, Jim. Each manufacturer uses a proprietary form factor and a unique footprint. Different models of one series can be used... such as the BP-915, BP-930 and BP-945 for the Canon. But Panasonic batts will not fit a Canon cam, and vice versa (this goes for Sony & JVC too).

Yeah, I guess I had some early morning wishful thinking. I don't know what got into me, I should have known better. :-)

3rd Party Batteries on the XL2?
 

I've heard warnings from other XL2 users about using 3rd party batteries with the camera: in that in may 'damage' the camera.

Does anyone have experience using batteries made by companies other than Canon? Do you have sources or have you heard stories about the do's and don'ts regarding battery purchase?

I found a 'Canon BP-945 (equivalent)' made by HiCapacity Power Products for US$44.95. It comes with a 1year warranty. Any words in response?

Stefan

I've been using "Power2000 for Canon BP-945" since I got the XL2 and have not had any problems with them. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if autopsy showed that these use the same cells as the Canon packs. There are relatively few cell manufacturers.

If I wanted to be well versed in Battery Technology?
 

I've read through a lot of the posts on the MiniDV tape situation and the relationships of the different tapes to manufacturers, to the camera, the cameras heads etc. I am VERY new to digital video and am very interested to dive into educating myself about the different inter-related factors- Battery Power being a very basic foundation. Does anyone have a direction to point me in to learn about Batteries? different manufactures, cross-compatability?

In related news, trans fat may kill you ;-)

Seriously though, what kind of damage are we talking about? I think we would hear about it a bit more if this was a serious concern with the XL2. And 3rd party vendors probably know better than to make your camera explode when using their products. Not a very good way to stay in business.

Been using several Power-2000 myself for a few months now. Flawless operation of both the batteries and the camera, not a glitch to be found. Well except for the tapes, but that belongs in an other forum.

Sometimes I wonder just how much of these warnings is reality based and how much is brand originated and perpetrated myths. Like in typical fashion, the vendor stating in the manual something along the lines of "make sure to only use our accessories to insure optimum performance" (yeah right).

Weren't there some 3rd party cheap-o cell phone batteries that actually did cause problems...fires, or battery explosions that injured people? Hence the big push to use only name-brand batteries, at least for cell phones.

I also do not recall ever hearing such problems related to video cameras, but maybe that is part of the reason (excuse?) manufacturers have for recommending only their own batteries? From their point of view, why should the camera company have to spend its warranty department dollars if someone else's battery broke the camera?

That said, I agree with David that at least the major, known battery companies seem to put out good, problem-free products (but read your camera warranty before deciding on 3rd party stuff!). I've used Lenmar batteries on a number of my consumer electronic devices without the slightest problems -- often a higher capacity for less price than OEM. But I'd be reluctant to do so if I knew that it would void my warranty.

Pete, you're absolutetly right about the cell phones:

Worldwide a number of cells exploded in 2003, a great many of them Nokia phones. According to Nokia, third-party or counterfeit batteries were to blame: in each and every exploding phone case it investigated, the battery in question proved not to be original to the unit and not to have included industry-standard safety measures. It also found the vast majority of short circuits that led to these explosions were caused by the units' having undergone traumatic events (such as being dropped) which jeopardized the integrity of poorly-manufactured batteries.


I have used a Power 2000 for both my XL1 and now my XL2 and I have had no problems. Then again I haven't been dropping my camera or battery on the ground either. :-)

Warranty issues and reputation should indeed be the only thing holding you back from a specific 3rd party vendor.

An other way to insure you're not using a piece of junk to power your $5000 camera is to buy from reputable sellers. Stores like B&H or ZGC will stand behind their products and not offer some cheap junk just to make a few more bucks in profit. That's a proven selection method to avoid lemon companies.

And of course, there's the user reviews. I've taken a habit to always google a few reviews on any new gear I buy, just to double check and make sure there is no known problems with the brand I'm considering.

Battery belt for XL2 and on-camera light?newbie cry for help..
 

I have a XL2 but without any light until now.I am planning to buy a Cosmolight rubino powered from a operator battery belt but I am confused with the connections:how do I connect the XL2 to the battery belt?or do you know a recommended battery belt for the XL2 and a on-camera light?

I believe most people just invest in a couple of high capacity batteries for
the XL2 (you can buy a cheaper brand like Lenmar) where you will get 1 - 2
hours of recording time at least.

There is also a dual battery holder for the Canon that allows you to mount
two such camera's on the camera (and provides a bit of weight at the back
to better balance the camera out) and I believe you can switch one battery
on the fly (leaving the other operating the camera), but I COULD be wrong
on that!!!

I don't know anything about the battery belt, but there may only be one connection on the belt. This may be for your light. The XL2 needs 7.2V, so whatever you plug into it, had better be transformed down to that voltage. Your battery belt may be a higher wattage, so be sure to read the instructions before plugging in.

There's the Canon Dual Battery holder and lots of 7.2V batteries. Or you can use Anton Bauer 14V batteries. They make an adapter that goes on the back of the XL2, so it powers the camera and has a "Power Tap" which is an additional power socket that will power any 12V light or other accessory. It is powered by Anton Bauer batteries. The adapter steps the voltage down to 7.2V for the XL2.

Hi Lutz,

I use the Pag C6 light which comes with a separate battery and you can sling over your shoulder. I only really use it for emergencies and things like a wedding first dance or messages to camera and it's great, a real lifesaver. The C6 also just slips onto the hotshoe on your XL2.

Good luck.

eco charge batteries for the XL2?
 

Hello all!
I have eco charge batteries for my Tascam DAT machine (6 hours of juice). They have 4 pin XLR connectors on them. Is there a way to connect them to and use them with the XL2? What connectors / cables do I need?

Thanks so much!
Tracy Graziano

The XL2 will need about 7.2 volts (if I remember correctly). I doubt your
setup will power the XL2 for very long. Compare the descriptions on the
batteries. The volts and amperes are what matters.

batteries and camera jacket
 

Thanks Rob. The batteries are:
Power 12 Volt, 7.2 A/h

I was just thinking that I aleady own these batteries and that they would be nice because I could keep them in my coat when shooting in really cold weather. (I film wildlife.)

Speaking of cold weather, does anyone know of a XL2 jacket that works ok? I've sown my own camo-cover for the camera, so maybe I could just make something that's insulated with pockets for those little hand warmer packets? What does everyone think?

I'm not an electrician, so if someone wants to educate me as to why these batteries wouldn't work, I'm all ears.

Suggestions for connections would be very helpful.

Since I don't have an XL1S anymore or an XL2 for that matter I don't know
what amps and volts those batteries want. Check those as well. You will
definitely need a converter that goes from 12v to 7.2v (if I remember correctly).

The higher the amps the better (the longer it will last). I believe a Lenmar
battery I once bought for my XL1S was in the range of 4200 mA, or 4.2 A

Heavy Duty Batteries for XL 2
 

I am looking for reviews on Vidpro Canon BP535 8 Hour Lithium Ion Battery before i buy one. And also where can i get the best bargain for 1.6 X extender for my XL 2 Pal?
Thanks

Battery question
 

I'm sure this has been answered many times in all the Canon forums, but the search feature isn't working and need I need to know this asap.

The list price on the batteries ($100?) is a little steep and I wanted to know if there was any reason I shouldn't use something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-BP-945-941...QQcmdZViewItem

Or any of those under $100 ebay batteries, for that matter.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the post.

I've had no problems with non-canon batteries on my XL2/GL2, I have used 4 X 6000mah BP945 batts for over 2 years with no issues.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear!

Xl2 new battery charging issue
 

I just bought a "techCell"(7.2 5500mAh) version of the canon battery for an xl2 because it was a third of the price, when the charger reads full i put it on the camera and it only reads half way and if I heard right a Li-ion battery doesnt have memory issues so is this thing just bunk or what ?

Welcome to the battery conundrum. You are correct, Li-Ion batteries do not suffer memory effect like their counterparts however they do require more care than other batteries. One thing that you need to know is that battery manufacturers purchase cells on the market to create their end product. The characteristics of the individual cells that go into the package vary widely. A 'cheap' battery for your camera may be just that on the inside. The vendor may have purchased cheap cells that may not meet the spec of a more expensive battery.

I'm an engineer for Motorola, in the last year, my customer complained about battery issues, we got a very formal education on what it takes to put together a quality battery pack for our radios. I was amazed at the vast differences in a batch of cells made by the same manufacturer much less vendor to vendor. One company that makes batteries for us has multiple levels of quality for the same size cell and they range in price accordingly. A cheap cell that tests well might get you close to the output that you want but a more expensive battery cell was one that tested better and was at or above the required output.

Ok back to your issue, below I have copied some basic battery information from batteryuniverse.com which deals with the care of a cell pack for best and optimal use. If after you follow some of the basics described below and the pack is still not up to par, send it back, get a credit and get a new battery pack. BTW, I've been gettng cells from a company called The Battery Bank in Orlando. They are on the web and offer the better quality 3rd party cells such as PowerCell2000 which many have claimed and I will attest to be a great cell at a great price.

Hope this helps you a little. ML

----------

Battery Do's:

Fully charge/discharge battery up to 4 cycles before achieving full capacity of a new battery

Fully discharge and then fully charge the battery every three to four weeks to keep maximize the cycle life.

Remove from the device and stored in a cool, dry, clean place if the battery will not be in use for a month or longer,

Recharge the battery after a storage period, usually if it has been sitting for more than three weeks.

Ensure maximum performance of the battery by optimizing the device's power management features. Refer to the manual for further instructions.

Battery Don'ts:

Do not short-circuit. A short-circuit may cause severe damage to the battery.

Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery as this may result in the exposure of the cell contents, which are corrosive.

Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.

Keep battery away from fire or other sources of extreme heat. Do not incinerate. Exposure of battery to extreme heat may result in an explosion.


My new battery isn't charging. Is it defective?

Usually NO. New batteries come in a discharged condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge and discharge the new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its maximum rated capacity

It is generally recommend an overnight charge (approximately twelve hours). It is normal for a battery to become warm to the touch during charging and discharging.

When charging the battery for the first time, the device may indicate that charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes. This is a normal with rechargeable batteries. New batteries are hard for the device to charge; they have never been fully charged and not “broken in.” Sometimes the device's charger will stop charging a new battery before it is fully charged. If this happens, remove the battery from the device and then reinsert it. The charge cycle should begin again. This may happen several times during the first battery charge. Don't worry; it's perfectly normal.

How can I maximize the performance of my battery?

There are several steps you can take to help you get maximum performance from your battery:

Prevent the Memory Effect - Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory effect.

Keep the Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the portable device.

Exercise the Battery - Do not leave the battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time, perform the new battery procedure described above.

Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during storage; remember to recharge the batteries before use.

Sealed Lead Acid - (SLA) batteries must be kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using special trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt to store SLA batteries for more than three months.

XL2 Battery mount
 

We have been using XL1s for the last 8 or 9 years at our church. One of the problems we have had over the years was the contacts where the battery or ac adapter mounts. We are updating our cameras and are thinking of buying XL2s. Were there any improvements made for the battery adapter? Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know a solution? I was wondering how the Anton Bauer batteries mount?

Thanks for any info.

The Anton Bauer batteries mount to the back of the XL2's accessory mount. Thy use the same connection as the standard XL batteries though.

Other battery opptions for the Gold Mount stlye
 

Is there an off brand name alternative (yet uses same cells) to the AB dionic 90 batteries. Who actually makes the batteries for AB? I found this site http://www.batteries4broadcast.com, they sell a AB equivilent pack (C2-4060P) for 725.00, vs 1397.00 for the AB brand on B&H. Has anyone bought from this place? Is there a place that sells recelled AB dionic 90 batteries? Or is it better to buy them brand new? I would like to purchase something like the dionic 90 but am trying to pay less. I am planning to power everything off the camera battery (light, shotgun, firestorm)
thanks
ruben

Several companies make A/B and V-Mount style batteries. You can go to our site sponsors such as Varizoom and Tapeworks Texas for more info and to purchase.

-gb-

how good is the BP-930 Battery Pack for xl-2
 

i was looking at b&h's xl-2 cam there selling and for like an extra grand or so you can get an anton power pack or for a grand less you can get the standard BP-930 Battery Pack what is you take on this? and how long deos both batery work?

I can't speak for those schmancy anton bauer setups, but I can tell you that I've had no problems with regular old Li-ion batteries.

The BP-930 is fine. It just doesn't last that long (per individual charge). I'd recommend picking up a couple of cheap knock-off BP-945's on Ebay. The last I looked, they can be had for under $20. They're generic OEM-type things, but I've been using them for a long time with no issues whatsoever.

yeah true i agree why spend the big bucks when you can buy more cheap priced ones that will achieve the same does the BP-930 Battery Pack last at least 200 minutes?

It depends on the shooting conditions. You might get 90 min. out of the stock battery, but an hour is more likely. I really do recommend those cheap 945's. It really sucks to run out of battery power in the middle of a shoot.

I have a bunch of normal size batteries (that I use most with the Canon XL on-camera light) and a bunch of heavy duty batteries (all non-Canon bought cheap from Ebay) that work well for most of my needs.

I also have an extra heavy duty special XL2 battery pack belt that plugs directly into the XL2 and allows constant filming for many hours without recharging.

I have 4 extended batteries and never have needed anything else, unless you are going to be with no electricity for days on end... the AB battery kit is really overkill.



ash =o)

That is one of the main reasons why I take the Canon XL1/2/H1 battery belt (that provides 5-8 hours of constant power). For a lot of my filming, I'm a long way from a car or powerpoint for extended periods.

Unless you just like to have a nose heavy camera on your shoulder. (grin)

That's the main reason I went with it, and for future migration.

The future arrived a few weeks ago when UPS delivered my Sony F350. With an inexensive adapter, those batteries and charger are now powering the new camera. Not an option with the Canon style batteries.

-gb-

i have a couple canon brand batteries.. and some cheap no-name brands off ebay. I shot a short in 3 days using two xl1s last month. the canon batteries needed recharging after about 2 hours of shooting off and on. The no-name lasted the whole day..from sunrise to sunset. Both cams were running the same ammount of time and we had the same results all 3 days. I bought these cheap batteries when i had my gl1 and they last forever!