Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Got a problem to solve with an upcoming shoot, where I might end up running out of batteries

I could do with some help:


i'll be shooting on a boat, and i'll be a 1 man crew, shooting for 5 days.

I will only have 1 8gig card, 1 16 gig card, and a sony ex hard drive available.

The original plan was to back up footage in the evenings to laptop and an external hd.

But i've now learnt the ships generator will only run during the day (when i'm filming)- so no power will be available in the night.

Which leaves me a bit of an issue - during the day, charger will be happily charing two batteries. Enough for my next day. However, my laptop doesn't have an express card port- i'll have to use USB through the camera- which means camera will have to be on and will use up the batteries which i will need for the next day. Sony's SxS card reader is no help - it needs external dc power

So, im very concerned im going to run out of batterys during this trip.


Only solutions I can see are:

1) My company buy or rent more SxS cards- so no need to transfer footage. (renting seems to be an issue- our regular rental place isn't very keen on hiring out their cards)

2) My company buy or rent more batteries for me to take out fully charged. (again, impossible to get rental)

3) Company or me invest in a laptop with an express card slot (not going to happen)

4) Find a way to power an SxS card reader from the laptop? - i know some portable HDs use two usb
ports, one for connection, one for power. Anyone powered a SxS card reader in this way?

5) Find somewhere to hire a Nextdodi type device- can these even be hired?


Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated!

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Have you thought of taking some sealed lead acid batteries and an inverter?

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Good idea, but getting to location with the extra gear wouldn't be that appealing. - im already going to be lugging quite a few bags of kit. Probably wouldnt be allowed in the hold of the plane either. (sorry, should have mentioned i've got to fly out there first)

Could be an option though if I could source one locally

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Hi Peter,

Does the boat have a standby electrical system like a large 12 volt battery? If so you could consider an inverter to to produce 240 volts AC. These come in two types - pure sine wave and modified square wave, the latter are cheaper but some things will not run on them. I sometimes use a modified square wave inverter to charge my MacBook Pro but it only works if the computer's battery is down to about 60% charge.

Be aware of the capacity of the boat's battery and the amount of charge you are drawing from it. There are cut-outs available that would disconnect the inverter from the boat's battery when the voltage drops to a certain level. These save the battery from excessive discharge and hopefully leave enough charge to restart your motor when required.

Good luck

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

The SWIT 8u62 batteries will run the Sony SxS reader using the same built-in connector that you use to power the EX when you use the to run the camera. They will also charge on your EX charger. Dolgin makes a battery adapter that will take your BP batteries and give you the same connector.

Another approach is to get a Hoodman Raw SDHC based SxS card and use the EX co copy your SxS cards in one slot to the Hoodman in another. THen use an SDHC card reader on your laptop to ingest the BPAV folder as usual with XDCAM Transfer or whatever.

Since you have the SOny hard disk, can't you copy the sxs cards to it in the same fashion and then import it to your computer from it's USB connector? I'm not that familiar with that device.

Lastly, I used an MxM SSD recorder but put a 320GB hard drive in it instead. I was then able to copy SxS to the MxM using the camera as described above. One problem is that it seems the EX only supports a maximum of 600 files and will report the MxM is full even tho there is available hard disk space. You can hook the MxM to your computer via USB or eSata.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Thanks for the reply Les - all good options

My trouble is I cant afford to use any camera batteries in the footage capture process.

I can only charge two batteries a day- and those two will need to be used for filming the next day.

I really need to be able to capture just using the laptop and a bus powered reader - and after a lot of research, it turns out all usb express card readers wont work with SxS pro cards. Only device that does, is Sony's, which needs external power

Even the Sony hard drive unit i'll be taking takes a camera battery on board to run, even when hooking up to computer.


I think only answer is more batteries, and another charger, so while i'm filming I can leave 4 batteries charging on the boat.

I need to make it clear to the company i'm working with- it might cost a few hundred quid to get extra batterys and charger sorted out, but it'll be nothing compared to the reshoot cost if I run out of battery power!

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

You have answered your own question. It is not fair to have added pressures put on you when you have to come up with the goods. Simple - the job cannot be done without the additional batteries and perhaps another charger. This is part of the cost of the job, end of story. Even the cost of a Nexto is a cheap way out to have peace of mind within the budget of the whole project.. As you say reshoots would cost a lot more.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

You can almost certainly hire extra SxS cards, batteries and chargers. Try Visual Impact or ProMotion.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

You might want to consider using MxM's newest adapter and SanDisk's UHS-1 32-gig cards. Much cheaper than getting Sony's SxS cards, and each 32-gig SDHC UHS-1 card will get you 115 minutes of footage.

I might do the same thing you're doing on a fairly small boat. Not much room for anything except what's absolutely necessary.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Thanks Alister - been trying all the hire companies today, but no-one will part with EX3 batteries.

I've tried visuals, promotion, alias, and procam. All say the same thing- the batteries only go out as part of a complete kit. The only hire out big boy batterys, V lock et al.

My company is just going to have to stump up for some extra batts and a charger.

What are peoples experiences of non-sony batteries? Is it a false economy, or do you get more bang for buck? I've had bad experiences in the past with non brand NPF style batteries

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

I know what you mean about aftermarket batteries. In this case, Sony does not make a battery for the EX that also has a D-Tap. Other companies like SWIT and Switronics have stepped in and done so. The SWIT 8u62 is a proven product I can speak from experience about. There's also the Switronics 96 which is a different company, a bigger battery and lasts longer. You'll find a lot of folks here use them. Both have the tether to run the EX or SxS reader and a D-Tap.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Les - thanks for that, top info, just what I was after. The swit looks good value for money, and especially useful that it has a d-tap. Found a place that sells Two large capacity swit's, complete with a charger- that should do perfectly

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, thoughts and info - you've all been a big help

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Oh. And one more thing. The location of the d-Tap is different on the different batteries. Some have it on the back and others on the bottom. It may matter to your rig in terms of the direction that the d-tap cable connector projects. I prefer the SWIT 8u62 design that projects the connector straight back. YMMV.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Swit 8u62 gets my vote as well. Very useful battery.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

You'll be filming on a boat.
You'll be filming during the day.
The generator is on during the day.

Can you just get a big extension cable and tether the camera to the power supply? How big is the boat?

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

"Can you just get a big extension cable and tether the camera to the power supply? How big is the boat?"

Anything laying on the deck can become a trip hazard, get caught in something, etc.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Not necessarily. Its just another tool in the kit to be used when needed. I have filmed on a small fishing boat using cables. Sailors tend to be fairly surefooted in my opinion. Fishermen are used to working around nets and ropes. You just have to remind them where it is (same as with light cables on a regular set).

It doesn't mean the cable has to be there all the time. But if you're shooting fairly static shots; say the captain at the wheel, or interviewing a crew member at dinner, then you can use your intuition and decide if you want to save the batteries or not.

If you're up on deck in a squall, the crew are bailing like mad and pirates are off the port side, then yeah probably best to pack the cable away...

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

You can run the camera from a 12v battery belt I expect. They are fairly cheap compared to camera specific batteries. Any decent film hire company will have loads of them. Or get a load of NP1s and a clip on adaptor.
You could even power from a 12v lead acid, but you might want to run through a regulator first.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

No, not them. Me. I'd be tripping over it! :-)

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Aaah. Yes, I can relate. The first day I ever worked as a Runner on a big TV production I tripped over a light. I managed to catch it by gripping the burning hot barn doors. All this in front of a line of grips and sparks who were drinking tea. First day on set!
Still, I've been good with cables ever since....

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

When I started out kicking a lightstand meant buying the first round of drinks back at the hotel in the evening.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

you have to have the right gear for any job. Buy more batteries. I have 4 and feel that is the minimum that should be in a kit like this. Absolutely stupid & unprofessional to be scrambling around trying to keep up with something as cheap as batteries.

If you haven't had an in depth conversation with the boat captain or one of his subordinates, you are not doing your job. You should have been talking all kinds of details about what he needs and what you need. It's called preproduction. It's part of the job. If people are getting in between you and the captain, go around them.

Likely the boat has a large battery bank that can supply an inverter for some, or all of your needs.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Since you have power during the day, why can't you backup your cards during the day as you shoot them? You don't have an ExpressCard slot, so get a USB card reader.

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Hi Tim - only sony's usb reader reads SxS pro cards, and its quite pricey for just a card reader. Running back to cabin to offload footage while Im trying to film would just be a nightmare anyway.

But, managed to resolve my issue - bit of discussion with the client and the captain of the boat, and they're going to run the genny through the night for me.

Flying out on monday, and it should be a great shoot. I've been spending all afternoon tweaking picture profile settings in my garden, and being fastidious with kit packing. I'm sure theres more fun things to do on a bank holiday!

Thanks for all your input everyone. Always good to have other ways of looking at a problem

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

Peter said:

....bit of discussion with the client and the captain of the boat, and they're going to run the genny through the night for me.


Well duh. And once again, the most simple solution proves to be the best. :)

Re: Running out of batteries on a boat...
 

There's two approaches I'm happy with, but your mileage may (will) vary:

i) I am a great proponent of having enough media for a shoot so that you NEVER (as in EVER) delete media on the shoot. SxS-1, SDHC, whatever. Rent it, buy it, invest in it, but don't erase onsite - and if possible, back it up on-site anyway.

ii) A colleague who does lots of adventurous stuff with his EX3, hanging off mountains or traipsing through jungles, swears by 'Expedition Batteries':

Welcome to Automated Media System

I, personally, due to being somewhat more genetically similar to a house cat, have not had such experiences as it might involve getting wet, or cold. Or too far from lunch. So I cannot speak of them personally, but his tales of derring do with an EX3 and NanoFlash to feed, where a suitable mains outlet is a plane-trip away, is enough to pass on his recommendation.