From: ben d (email suppressed)
Date: Mon Oct 22 2007 - 19:54:54 PDT
In response to both Robert and Flick,
I've used a combination of power sources when needing to charge camera batteries, satellite phones, etc. in the bush. I've run solar panels through an inverter and it worked well, But I didn't charge the camera batteries directly from that source. I hauled in two marine batteries and charged them from the solar panels (they take DC fine). From there I charged the camera batteries from the marine via an inverter.
Charge the mains while you are out shooting in the day and there's sun for the charge at your base camp. Charge the camera and other batteries at night from the main batteries when the sun is down.
All our electronics work was also done in Vancouver on 2000-2002 technology. Not sure if things have changed since then. Now I just wind my Bolex.
Worked for my situations, hope it helps.
Ben
----------------------------------------> Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:31:22 -0600> From: email suppressed>> You get a portable solar panel, and charge your normal batteries from that.> They cost several hundred dollars, depending on Watts output. If you can> get a DC charger for your batteries, the kind that are sold to plug into 12V> auto cigarette lighters, then it's pretty easy. I was all set to do such a> remote thing a couple of years ago, but changed plans and ended up not> needing to. You might need to get a voltage regulator depending on the> voltage tolerance of the charger you have/get. If you can't get a DC> charger, then you need an inverter, and it gets more complicated. If I were> you, I would start by seeing whether there is a 12V DC charger available for> your video camera, say, by checking b+h. See how many Watts it draws, and> then find a solar panel with that much output. There are a lot o!
f them out> there! Off the cuff, here are a couple of links:>> http://www.ecovantageenergy.com/catalog/subcat132.htm> http://www.powerportstore.com/Solar%20Recharging%20-%20AR.htm>>> Of course, you can only charge in the sun, so you'll also want several extra> batteries. You'll have to decide whether you can afford it, but it's not> heavy, and I, for one, like the technological evolution of such a> possibility.>> Good luck!>> Robert Schaller>> On 10/21/07 12:42 PM, "Flick Harrison" wrote:>>> Sorry dude, but this sounds like wishful thinking. No electricity>> minus batteries??>>>> A friend of mine borrowed my XL-1 for two weeks of bush shooting - he>> built a giant car-battery into a tool box, had an AC adapter for the>> camera modified to tap into this battery. Worked like a charm. Shot>> for 2 weeks.>>>> He may have charged it on the middle weekend or something, though, I>> don't know the details.>>>> You'd need a battery pro to make sure it was safe for your>> equipment.!
I believe he got it done at a battery shop in Vancouver>> where they
custom-build these kinda things all the time. It wasn't>> outrageously expensive or anything.>>>> He needed a voltage meter to make sure the thing was charged up, and>> another adapter to charge it.>>>> Based on the power your camera draws times the number of hours>> shooting you could figure out pretty close if the battery was going>> to last you.>>>> Many years later, I find the thing no longer holds charge. It spent>> too long stone-dead in my closet, i think.>>>>>>>> On 23-Aug-07, at 9:21 AM, Ruben Guzman wrote:>>>>> Hello all,>>>>>> What would you do if you had to shoot (video) for two weeks in a>>> location with no electricity and you're not willing to carry a>>> heavy load of batteries? Nope, I cannot afford to shoot on film.>>>>>> Any ideas/ suggestions greatly appreciated.>>> r.>>>>>> Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk>>> email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail>>> __________________________________________________________________>>> !
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