FR-2 Power

verdure55.DeleteThis@hotmail.com wrote:
> I realize that power has been discussed here many times but I'm not
> getting good leads on my problem from old posts.
>
> My kit is of the small, over-the-shoulder variety and is for low budget
> production as well as sound effects recording. I have no sound cart,
> big mixer or monitor to power, just my FR-2, and I'd love something
> portable if possible. Secondary concerns would be expandability and
> solar recharging, but portability is the prime concern. Many thanks.
>
> Arnold
>
Arnold,
For over the shoulder use I use an NPH-50 battery with an NP-1 cup with
an appropriate plug courtesy of Radio Shack. I use a little gaffer's
tape to hold the plug in securely to the FR-2. Using the Portabrace case
for the FR-2 I can carry 2 batteries comfortably. I also use a Denecke
external phantom power unit or a Wendt X2 on my hip to lessen the load
on the battery (as well as turn the TC card off). When I need longer run
times (and this has happened only once) I have a Bescor 8AH gel cell
with a lighter plug socket that I can wear on a belt. For cart use I
also use a gel cell (12AH in a small pelican case) using a lighter plug
socket and it will last two days straight with the LCD light on all of
the time.

Cheers,
Adam Rabinowitz
Sound for Film & Video
www.soundfilmvideo.com
 >> Stay informed about: FR-2 Power 

Fostex is working on some new battery solutions that will be introduced
shortly. This will increase the battery time to around 2-3 hours.

When I get further details I will ping the group to contact me.


CincySoundGuy wrote:
> verdure55.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>> I realize that power has been discussed here many times but I'm not
>> getting good leads on my problem from old posts.
>>
>> My kit is of the small, over-the-shoulder variety and is for low budget
>> production as well as sound effects recording. I have no sound cart,
>> big mixer or monitor to power, just my FR-2, and I'd love something
>> portable if possible. Secondary concerns would be expandability and
>> solar recharging, but portability is the prime concern. Many thanks.
>>
>> Arnold
>>
> Arnold,
> For over the shoulder use I use an NPH-50 battery with an NP-1 cup with
> an appropriate plug courtesy of Radio Shack. I use a little gaffer's
> tape to hold the plug in securely to the FR-2. Using the Portabrace case
> for the FR-2 I can carry 2 batteries comfortably. I also use a Denecke
> external phantom power unit or a Wendt X2 on my hip to lessen the load
> on the battery (as well as turn the TC card off). When I need longer run
> times (and this has happened only once) I have a Bescor 8AH gel cell
> with a lighter plug socket that I can wear on a belt. For cart use I
> also use a gel cell (12AH in a small pelican case) using a lighter plug
> socket and it will last two days straight with the LCD light on all of
> the time.
>
> Cheers,
> Adam Rabinowitz
> Sound for Film & Video
> www.soundfilmvideo.com
 >> Stay informed about: FR-2 Power 

Arnold,

The NPH-50 batteries are 45 watt hour NiMH (nickel metal hydride) NP-1
batteries and are easily found and available from a variety of vendors.
My batteries are made by Aspen who no longer makes gear but is still
somewhat supported by Anton Bauer. IDX would be my next choice for
batteries. The NP-1 cup is a cap that fits over the battery that
provides a pair of leads from which to access the power. I have a couple
of types: I use a Hawk-Woods for my main mixer/wireless bag, a BDS
(remote audio) system on my backup bag. I also have a cup made by Frezzi
and on the ultra cheap side a pair of cups I got from Markertek (approx.
$10 ea.). If I am not using phantom power or time code I can get 2.5 - 3
hours out of a battery. In terms of cost, the batteries and the
associated charger will be you biggest expense. I have actually acquired
all of my Aspen gear on eBay. I don't buy used batteries, but I will
look at a used charger if it looks and is being sold in solid operable
condition. I would expect you might find a charger (Aspen ROQ-4 for ex.)
for less than $200. If you can't find any new batteries at auction, I
would bite the bullet and buy new - there is no really sure way to
evaluate how much life a used battery of this type has left. New batts
will probably cost around $100 each. If you want ball-park figures for
all new look at B&H and search for IDX. Some retailers may have
new-old-stock of the Aspen gear as well. I have chosen NiMH batteries
for my FR-2 primarily due to cost. Lithium ion batteries will last much
longer, but the cost per battery and the charger are significantly
higher. Since all that you are powering is the FR-2 I would use a very
basic cup like the Frezzi or Markertek (which is what I use). Again, I
simply soldered on a plug (a somewhat odd coaxial plug with a center
pin) from Radio Shack to the cup leads and stow the rig in the outer
pocket of the portabrace bag.

Cheers,
Adam Rabinowitz
Sound for Film & Video
www.soundfilmvideo.com

verdure55 RemoveThis @hotmail.com wrote:
> Adam:
>
>
> Thank you for your answer and my apologies to all for the multiple
> posts. I am relieved to see that others also had the problem with
> posting that I experienced and that it wasn't just me!
>
> Forgive my ignorance, but are the NPH-50 and the NP-1 cup (I'm afraid I
> don't know what that is) part of a system I can buy as a whole or do I
> just buy the components and put together my own package? How much
> runtime might I expect from the NPH-50? How much will it cost? Also,
> I believe I have a hirose connector on my FR-2 (I bought it used so I
> don't know). It's a little 4-pin female number and it says 12V. Will
> this help me in some way?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Arnold
 >> Stay informed about: FR-2 Power 

there are external dvd or laptop li-io battery which already come with
charger 50-150$)
find something like that , give 12 v out , check with fostex the external
voltage range it can accept , its light , its less pricy then buying np-1
style and charger

--
Oleg Kaizerman (gebe) Hollyland
<verdure55 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136741695.522958.194870@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>I realize that power has been discussed here many times but I'm not
> getting good leads on my problem from old posts.
>
> My kit is of the small, over-the-shoulder variety and is for low budget
> production as well as sound effects recording. I have no sound cart,
> big mixer or monitor to power, just my FR-2, and I'd love something
> portable if possible. Secondary concerns would be expandability and
> solar recharging, but portability is the prime concern. Many thanks.
>
> Arnold
>
 >> Stay informed about: FR-2 Power 

Many thanks to all, particularly Adam for the detailed posts. Adam,
what I'm understanding is that there are 3 components: NPH-50, the cap
(that's essentially and adapter) and an NPH-50 charger. I'm going to
check this stuff out, as well as the eco-charge stuff which I used
years ago with a DAT.

Thank you!

Arnold
 >> Stay informed about: FR-2 Power