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-   -   Firestore FS-4, not enough battery for the job!! (https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/focus-enhancements-firestore/43420-firestore-fs-4-not-enough-battery-job.html)

Jon Omiatek April 22nd, 2005 06:13 PM

Firestore FS-4, not enough battery for the job!!
 
Firestore's FS-4 battery life is only 90min. You need a few batteries to do a shoot. I called today to a few places and they referred me to b&h, which is closed for holiday and a couple of other places said I need to buy straight from focus for batteries. I called them and they are on a 1 to 2 week backorder. Makes me feel really confident in my purchase :(

Does anyone have or use a battery belt to run to the fs-4. The battery is 11+ volts. The charger for the unit is 15+ volts. I am thinking if you were to run 12v into the charger that it would run the firestore. I have a battery belt that would give it plenty of power if that is the case.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Jon

Daniel Kohl April 23rd, 2005 01:51 PM

Check out this thread

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=34670

cheers,

DK

Jon Omiatek April 24th, 2005 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Kohl
Check out this thread

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=34670

cheers,

DK


Thank you. I found it shortly after my post. Auton Buaer battery packs are very expensive, consider I don't use them for anything else. I am going to make battery for this project that will cost much less than the auton bauer and will work just as good.

I will post my findings when I get done.

Jon

Daniel Kohl April 25th, 2005 02:43 AM

I figured you would be building something of your own. The thread is interesting because Matt mentions acceptable voltages.

Good luck,

Jon Omiatek April 26th, 2005 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Kohl
I figured you would be building something of your own. The thread is interesting because Matt mentions acceptable voltages.

Good luck,

I purchased a 14.4V, 4500 mAh battery pack with charger for $69 + shipping. I made a custom mount for the firestore, the stock belt clip the supply is COMPLETELY WORTHLESS! and will result in you smashing your firestore on the floor!!! I guess it's a good way to boost sales?

I will post pictures and results of the battery life when I am finished.

Jon

Jon Omiatek April 28th, 2005 02:36 PM

My bracket to replace factory belt clip! Much better!
 
I took a piece of aluminum, 13 X 2 7/8 X 1/8 and bent it. Drilled some holes and added a couple of pins and here it is......

http://www.trulux.com/pictureuploads/web-IMG_1369.jpg
http://www.trulux.com/pictureuploads/web-IMG_1370.jpg
http://www.trulux.com/pictureuploads/web-IMG_1371.jpg
http://www.trulux.com/pictureuploads/web-IMG_1372.jpg

Daniel Kohl April 29th, 2005 01:24 AM

Nice and simple, I like that.

I would be interested in seeing how you are dealing with the power supply.

Simplicity is clearly the major plus of your mounting plate, and probably counteracts the disadvantages of its design. I like the fact that you can easily look at the FS-4's LCD when using the camera's flip out monitor.

I'm guessing that the FS-4 kind of lives on the L plate. Or is it easy to get it off?

Jon Omiatek April 29th, 2005 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Kohl
Nice and simple, I like that.

I would be interested in seeing how you are dealing with the power supply.

Simplicity is clearly the major plus of your mounting plate, and probably counteracts the disadvantages of its design. I like the fact that you can easily look at the FS-4's LCD when using the camera's flip out monitor.

I'm guessing that the FS-4 kind of lives on the L plate. Or is it easy to get it off?


I usually have a shotgun and a light attached to the accessories shoe, which makes my camera very top heavy. I wanted to mount it in the back to try and balance the camera. The placement was such to make the FS-4 LCD viewable while useing the cameras LCD.

The firestore lives on the bracket and the bracket is easily removed with one screw. I had thought about making it so I could remove the firestore but at the moment I can't think of any other uses for the bracket.

I will post pictures of the whole package with battery pack.

Jon

Mark Geiser April 29th, 2005 05:28 AM

Jon..

I will be very intersted in abything you managed to come up with regards extra power.

Totally agree with you about the batteries. I have 2 weddings to do at the end of next month and have an 80GB pro so have enough space, but not enough juice !!!!

Mark

Jon Omiatek April 29th, 2005 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Geiser
Jon..

I will be very intersted in abything you managed to come up with regards extra power.

Totally agree with you about the batteries. I have 2 weddings to do at the end of next month and have an 80GB pro so have enough space, but not enough juice !!!!

Mark

I had debated getting the 80 gb but I couldn't find too many uses for it. I do weddings as well but I always get a break after the cermoney(drive to reception) and dinner break at the reception. During these times I transfer the files to my laptop.

I have two battery options. The first 14.4v, 2300mAh and weighs 12oz. The second 14.4v, 4500mAh and weighs 2.5lbs. The first option will probably be attached to the camera when the firestore battery is running low. The second option will probably be attached via a battery belt type setup and I will run a wire to the firestore. It kinda of defeats my purpose of mounting it on the camera, I don't like being tied by a cord. The second option should recharge the firestores internal battery.

My only concern is that the fan, when its on 100% if it will be too loud for my shotgun. I am assuming it will not but I haven't tested it yet. I just finished it yesterday and I still need to drill a hole in the bracket to allow for the fan.

Jon

Mark Geiser April 29th, 2005 06:02 AM

Jon..

Good idea with the laptop, hadn't thought of that...

I agree with the fan noise...I see you have the PD170 I think, same as myself, I use a senhaisser K6 type shotgun and that would defo pickup the fan noise, I was just going to have it clipped to my trousers/belt, so that would not be and issue....

I guess also that during the meal I could get a chance to charge up a battery, but not fully I suspect.

Hope you're external battery works and I may copy if that is OK. I guess by plugging it in to the FS4 charge port you run the machine on the external battery and charge the internal at the same time..

Let us know when you have your little project up and running..

Regards

Mark

Jon Omiatek April 29th, 2005 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Geiser
Jon..

Good idea with the laptop, hadn't thought of that...

I agree with the fan noise...I see you have the PD170 I think, same as myself, I use a senhaisser K6 type shotgun and that would defo pickup the fan noise, I was just going to have it clipped to my trousers/belt, so that would not be and issue....


Mark

I wouldn't recommend using their belt mount. I dropped mine two times, that's the reason for my custom bracket.

I will post pictures of the finished product with results.

Jon

Mark Geiser April 29th, 2005 08:02 AM

Jon..

What exactly happened ? Did something break ?

Mark

Jon Omiatek April 29th, 2005 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Geiser
Jon..

What exactly happened ? Did something break ?

Mark


Nothing broke. I caught it with my hand the first time and the second time I broke it's fall with my foot. When you bend down, the firstore pushes off of your leg and the connector will break lose causing it to fall.

VERY POOR DESIGN!

I am in the process of making a belt carrying case, that would make sure it stays put. Kind of like the FS1 carrying case.

Jon

Mark Geiser April 29th, 2005 08:20 AM

Thanks for the warning ...

Mark


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