PORTABLE POWER

windog · Post by **windog** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:38 am

Hi,

I am looking for something i can charge up and take out with me to provide power for filming. i have loked at generators but they are not so cheap!

Is there anything out there?

P.S. - What do camera crews use?

redkorn · Post by **redkorn** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:27 pm

car batterys?

windog · Post by **windog** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:28 pm

thats an idea. How would i link it up to a socket though?

windog · Post by **windog** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 9:04 pm

PLEASE HELP SOMEONE!!!!

wildabeast009 · Post by **wildabeast009** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:47 pm

Car batteries won't work, they, along with all other batteries, they are DC, while your camera is probably AC. They may work for lights though depending on wattage. The only thing I can think of is a generator, or a really long extension cord.

redkorn · Post by **redkorn** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:10 am

well you could get a DC converter but that starting to get into some tricky wiring plus those arent cheap i got a 300watt converter for $50 and i also got a used generator for $100 so id say its cheaper to get a genarator.

UFProductions · Post by **UFProductions** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:47 am

This would work great, but unless you're in Canada, you'll be hard pressd to find one, I've only ever seen them at Canadian Tire. Link

EDIT: Aw s hit, link doesn't work, if you're intereseted i'll post pics and descriptions.

jcdenton · Post by **jcdenton** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:15 am

I was thinking about to buy one lately, for about 99Euros: pic. It works with 2% gasoline. THe problem with generators is they are usually pretty heavy. But they also provide a lot of power, you can also use them for lights. A car battery DC to AC converter that will transform the voltage up from 12 to 220 volts, or whatever you need, may be a bit cheaper but it provides only little power. Enough to power a camera, plus recharge some akkus in the same time, but that's it.

tallman_house_pictures · Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:56 am

rent a generator if you dont have enough cash to buy one.

windog · Post by **windog** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:28 am

where can I buy a good generator?

BrownCowStudios · Post by **BrownCowStudios** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:55 pm

A power inverter may work (if you have a car), depending on how much equipment you need to run off this.

crb · Post by **crb** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:39 am

you have to buy an inverter. It hooks up to your car battery and converters it into a low power and has usually two outlets you can plug into. I bought one was for about $200 something at nrg.

windog · Post by **windog** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:59 am

ok, I will try that.

windog · Post by **windog** » Wed May 04, 2005 11:49 am

If anyone has a good generator, please feel free to post pics and info.

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Fri May 06, 2005 11:48 am

There's loads here, some of them are really cheap as well....

http://search.ebay.co.uk/generator_Powe ... 7QQsalicZ3

windog · Post by **windog** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:09 pm

thanks, but i am unsure as to what to buy. What should i look for? It needs to able to power a mixer and camera.

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Fri May 06, 2005 4:12 pm

Have a look at the power adaptor (Or by where the lead goes into the equipment) and you'll see the power ratings.

You're probably only looking at a couple of amps max. A cheap generator should handle that no problem.

ipon70 · Post by **ipon70** » Fri May 06, 2005 6:14 pm

I have used my battery UPS from my computer. Obviously you can't run forever, but depending on the size and what you are running off it...could last a long time.

windog · Post by **windog** » Fri May 06, 2005 9:28 pm

I thought of that. is it enough to power your pc for 10+ mins?

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Sat May 07, 2005 11:01 pm

HEY!!! What we did for our last WW2 location shoot, we got a Marine (boat) battery and attached a DC-AC conveterter. It has enough charge to power a camcorder and monitor for about 2 days straight!

windog · Post by **windog** » Sun May 08, 2005 7:54 am

Wow, but I need something i can just plug my stuff into without all the wiring!

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Mon May 09, 2005 11:01 am

Trust me, that is by far the most portable you can get. Two of us could move the entire setup, shot by shot.

Not only does a generator require more wiring and maintanence, it also needs fuel! Not to mention it is god-awfully loud. A battery you can plug into a wall and charge overnight.

windog · Post by **windog** » Mon May 09, 2005 12:23 pm

ok, where can I get a battery and the wiring?

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Mon May 09, 2005 10:38 pm

A boat store.

windog · Post by **windog** » Tue May 10, 2005 7:04 am

I live in the middle of England. No boat stores here!

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