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View Full Version : Red Batteries & IDX Charger???


Dustin Cross
02-25-2008, 12:38 PM
I know this has been asked, but I can't find an answer.

I want to get 4 Red Batteries and an IDX VL-4S 4-Channel Simultaneous Charger. This charges all four batteries at once. Four Red batteries plus the charger will cost $3000.

I can get two Red Power Packs for the same $3000, but that only charges two batteries at a time.

My question is, will the IDX charger charge the Red batteries correctly? I remember Jarred saying Red used IDX chargers in the beginning, but I can't find that post.

Is there any reason two Red Power Packs is better than one IDX charger with 4 Red batts?


Mahalo,
Dusty
Brook Willard
02-25-2008, 01:11 PM
It works, I've done it on many occasions. The IDX quad charger is great... and it's not expensive. If I was buying a package today, I'd probably go with the IDX charger... if only because it charges 4 batteries simultaneously.
John DeBoer
02-25-2008, 03:10 PM
Is there any reason two Red Power Packs is better than one IDX charger with 4 Red batts?



Hey Dusty:

We almost always buy 2x dual chargers....the reason: with a 4 banger, if it fails you are screwed.

With 2x duals, you can at least charge with one......
Stuart English
02-25-2008, 03:17 PM
Hey Dusty:

We almost always buy 2x dual chargers....the reason: with a 4 banger, if it fails you are screwed.

With 2x duals, you can at least charge with one......

There's a lot of merit in that statement, also you need to ask what charge current is applied to each battery when in a dual or quad simultaneous charge mode. And how that matches up to the charge time per battery specification. i.e. it will affect your re-charge speed if the total available charge current is divided between the batteries when more than one is mounted.
Mark Pedersen
02-25-2008, 11:28 PM
Any issues using IDX batts?

I understand they don't communicate with the Red, so you don't get a warning on low charge, right?

M
Brook Willard
02-26-2008, 09:01 AM
Correct, they don't communicate with RED. That said, IDX batteries have a three-light capacity meter to show you the remaining juice. If you pay attention to this, your camera won't die on you in the middle of a take.