Power Distribution

[Tim Morten]

I'm going to need to power some accessories from my Epic (focus motor, wireless transmitter), and I'm looking for an elegant way to do this. I'm curious to hear how others are currently approaching this.

Here's what I've found so far:

1. BATTERY PLATE - Most plates have built-in PTAP. Options from Red, x, ViewFactor, ActionProducts, others.
2. JUNCTION BOX - There are rod-mountable boxes from ActionProducts (PowerBox) and RedRock (PowerPack) that sit in-between the power supply and the camera, and fork off aux power.
3. INTEGRATED UNIT - There are integrated solutions from Red (Pro I/O and someday the +1 adapter), ActionProducts (Electra and Apollo) and SpaceCam (SyncBob Mega) which integrate directly with the camera and provide aux power.

Warranty footnote: based on comments from Red, if any damage were to result from use of a non-Red power solution, my understanding is that the camera owner would be responsible for the repair cost.

Nothing out there seems to check all the boxes: the battery plates don't have input for running from AC, the junction boxes aren't integrated and don't have PTAP ports, the integrated units are expensive (pro I/O and Electra), don't have pass-through (Apollo), are currently unavailable (Red's +1), or interfere with the ActionProducts XLR ports I have (SpaceCam).

I'd really like to see an inexpensive integrated unit that has a power input (from battery or from AC), and which offers multiple outputs (ideally at least two PTAP). The +1 adapter with some custom cables might be the most elegant solution, but with an announced date of December, that means it will be next spring before it's widely available.

I'm betting most folks just go the battery plate route for now, but let me know if anyone has other recommendations...

Thanks,
Tim

[Dan Kanes]

This is kinda neat: Movcam Battery Bracket with Regulated outputs and Lemo compatible pinout:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...R_V_MOUNT.html

they have a V mount and an Anton bauer mount version.

[Domenic Barbero]

that movcam is awesome. Totally investing in one of those. hopefully camera can read power percentage

[Dan Kanes]

the cables for the movcam are not priced as competitively as the unit itself - so buyer be aware of that or make your own cables...

[Domenic Barbero]

what cables do you need with this to run to scarlet? just need one correct? battery out to scarlet power in. where do you buy the cable at?

[Dan Kanes]

Cables are also available on B & H and 16x9inc. - I'm not sure if there is a direct Lemo to Scarlet for this, but I know you could do Lemo to 4pin XLR and 4 pin XLR to scarlet.