Not sure what you mean, John, I'm not using batteries in this setup, the power supplies run the cameras indefinitely. If taken to the field, batteries are used and charged the OEM way. With this setup, I also had no need to modify (butcher ;-) the OEM charger/adaptor.

I used Edac supplies, obtained through a reseller in UT that I was completely dissatisfied with; I just had to follow up on everything 6 times, and they still messed up the order. The products work fine, though.

We now offer the Swit Charger TC400 EX1 battery with a D-Tap connector. Fits in EX1 where original battery BP-U60 goes.

Drew,

I thought you meant internal laptop power supplies that you also used in the field after they were charged. You meant external laptop power supplies with modified plugs for studio use on AC power that were cheaper than the Sony BC-U1 that goes for around $120 each.

You say the EDAC laptop power supplies worked well.

1. Which model?

2. Have you measured the actual output voltage?

Thanks,

John

Uh, do they make laptops with internal power supplies anymore?? I haven't seen one in a decade. If they do, let me know, I'm actually on the lookout...

I used Edac EA1060A-57 and ED1050A-120, which supply 15V and 14V respectively, to compensate for the really long cable runs. Upon measuring, the head end voltage was a bit higher than rated, and the cameras got around 14.1V. So I'd recommend 12V and 13V supplies.

Indeed, the Edacs were cheaper than the BC-U1, but the main point was about voltage compensation, and getting from the DC Out wire to the camera. The units are buried in a machine room rack, and the camera now gets one neat cable. Perhaps a couple of photos would clarify: the patch panel is in the machine room, and on the camera you can see the end of a camera cable, which splits into 2 HD-SDI, intercom, tally, and power.

What did you use for your tally light?

I was on the verge of building one myself, but opted for a Datavideo unit.

Are you still with TNT, Ted? Impressive work.

Yes, all by myself (very lonely here!). Started the company about four years ago - nearly time to update the site with more recent and current jobs. Thanks, though!