Don't get me wrong. I'm still loving my little 5V USB / 12V Battery packs that can power many things, but it comes up short if I need to power up the 900 LED video light panels at full brightness. The 900 LED video light requires 14V DC. There's a number of different DIY battery packs I can make but that would limit me to just one voltage. Instead of going straight into the expensive V-Mount batteries, this Tekkeon universal batttery pack (a cheaper solution) allows me to power up virtually anything between 5V and 19V. All it takes to power up any accessory is flip of a few dim switches and select one of the many universal sized power tips. I'm going to give this battery a full charge and then test the run time at full brightness.
These batteries have been fairly popular with DSLR rigs too. If you're looking to mount this battery on to your rigs, maybe to power up your audio recorders, LED video lights, or even find a way to power up your camera, CPMFilmTools has a snap package specifically for these batteries. Purchase the batteries from CPM and the snap package is free.
CPMFilmTools Tekkeon Battery Snap Package
There are many versions of the Tekkeon battery, and I purchased the 3450i specifically because of the features it offers. The best price I could find online was over at B&H (click here).
Tekkeon myPower All Plus Battery 5V-19V DC
Emm
Post author@Matthijs - Possibly. Won't know until it's in our hands..
Matthijs
So can one these babies perhaps be used on (when finally shipped) a Black magic cinema camera? 😮
Emm
Post author@John - The 5D and 7D actually can take the 7.5V safely as seen in this video httpss://cheesycam.com/tekkeon-to-camera-ac-wall-adapter/
John
Too bad it doesnt do 7.2v for Canon 5dmk2 or 7d
Nick P
cool, thanks for the info! 🙂
Emm
Post author@Nick P - 12V-14V.
Nick P
so for the led ring light it should be at 12v right?
Emm
Post author@Nick P - Always remember to check what 'output voltage' you have the battery pack set up for...
Nick P
I just bought mine and 'm awaiting shipment tomorrow. I'll be using it with the 352 led ring light. Any tips, info I should know before using it?
-Nick
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DavidG
I just found one on Ebay and without thinking it twice, bought it. I won the auction and I got it cheap. Only problem is that it comes with not wires or charger whatsoever so I'm hoping I will find the correct cables and charger I need.
Damm you Emm! I buy everything you put out there 🙂
Frank
yea thats true, i wish i saw that before ha, the difference is AGM battery vs. lithium i suppose ...
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Emm
Post author@Frank - The Vagabon mini is only an AC battery pack, not DC. I guess you're talking about plugging the AC adapter in to it? If that's the case, you can easily get away with the cheap jumper battery as seen here: httpss://cheesycam.com/portable-battery-powers-the-cheap-500-led-light-panel/
Frank
bought it tested it, it lasts for about 2 hours and turns on and off randomly through out. returning it and getting the 130w paul bluff mini vagabon
Emm
Post author@Frank Apollonio - I didn't get to test again, I was busy with the JuicedLink slider (recent post). I'll try again when i'm back in the studio.
Eugene
here is a another review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tohPdDfvJQ
Frank Apollonio
how many hours did it last in the final test?
Emm
Post author@WebPLC - No there is not.
WebPLC
Is there an XLR tip included (the 500 LED panel type)?
Frank Apollonio
oh btw em, ths is a lithium ion thats Ac, its $240, but it has 130Watt hours, thats almost 3 times the amount of this , heres the link for future
https://www.paulcbuff.com/vm120.php
Emm
Post author@Frank - Right out of the box, no charging it was about 1 hour 20 minutes full power. It's currently charging and i'll test it again.
Frank
How long did your first test run? i ordered it because i just got a ephoto 900, curious before it comes . what were the first test results?
Darryl Badong
@Emm - I wish I knew about the version you have or the auto version... might have to invest in those too. Thanks!
Emm
Post author@Chateau - I would say the best would be V-Mount batteries, high power long run times. Unfortunately here's an idea of the prices you'll be looking at for each battery https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sony+v-mount+14&N=0&InitialSearch=yes. Keep in mind these normally don't include the charger which is seperate.
The Tekkeon will serve a purpose for me personally, and if I need to go big budget production, I think i'm better off renting V-Mount battery solutions (or just go with a rented power generator). It's not often enough I would need to go strictly off of batteries, and it would take too much time to recoup my investment if I purchased. If I can get around 1.5-2 hours off each Tekkeon at full power (rare I go full power), then this should be plenty of juice for quick setups. I need to charge the Tekkeon and run another test.
Emm
Post author@Giulio Sciorio - Wow that thing is pretty big.
Emm
Post author@Darryl - The version I have doesn't have exposed switches. Also there is a version with auto voltage.
Chateau
This is EXACTLY what I've been waiting for. Emm, thank you so much, looking forward to your review. ALSO, I would love a post on batteries alternatives. All the way from the high-end Anton Bauers of the world to the DIY solutions; what they are best used for, how long do they last, price...
That would be my dream post. I would be forever grateful, and I think a lot of your readers would too 🙂
Anthony Chabot
@Emm... you are effen amazing. I just sit here in awe and gratitude for all the advice you give. Thank you so much for all your work. Without exaggeration, you are the reason why I am able to do a lot of the types of things I never thought would be possible (because now I can afford it, and I have somebody to guide my way). I know I may sound like a total dork, but I had to give you props, my man. Thank you - Seriously. - T in Connecicut
Giulio Sciorio
Very cool option. I would love to find something similar for my 1200 panels but they need 24V.
Check out this massive LED light -
https://vimeo.com/27846401
Here it is again under a different brand -
https://www.socanland.com/Product.aspx?id=60
And if you search for the Socanland product number you get a bunch of LED importers from China if anyone wants to start their own lighting company.
I tried to contact you via the contact form but it got rejected.
Eugene
I'm more interested for how long it is going to last for.
frank apollonio
Ha just bought 2 of the other batteries u recommended now I gotta get this ! How long did it last ?
AT
Im new to the jungle of portable batteries.
All that I have seen is 12V power input.
How is it possible to take my softboxes that only has european 240V plugs into the field?
Can you use converters for this? Any that have experience with that?
NormanBates
careful with this: you wouldn't be the first to fry some electronics because you forgot to re-set the voltage before plugging in
Joachim Ljungquist
Great solution! Can't wait to hear about the run time 🙂
HD-tography
Hey Emm
I highly recommend those Tekkeon myPower Rechargeable Batteries, I've been using 2 of the MP3750 batteries for the last 6 months in a professional environment, although that version is now discontinued
httpss://secure.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=TEMP3750&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
https://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z402/HD-tography/GiniRigsHDtography/GiniDSLR-HF-S200-009.jpg
https://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z402/HD-tography/GiniRigsHDtography/GiniDSLR-HF-S200-004.jpg
Too bad because the "smart" versions came with Automatic Voltage Adjustment (detects and sets the appropriate output voltage for the device that you're using or can be set manually as well). They were $189 each from B&H... great investment!
https://tekkeon.com/downloads/dtasht_MP3750.pdf
Mounting options are limited, so I go the cheap route and Velcro strap them together to a Gini silicone pad, although they do make (pricey) cases for them available at B&H:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598008-REG/BEC_BEC_TEK_BEC_TEK_Mounting_Box_for.html
Or this new release I just saw from CPM Film Tools:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/817550-REG/CPM_Film_Tools_076_TEK_SNP_PCK_Tekkeon_Battery_Snap_Package.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/817549-REG/CPM_Film_Tools_075_TEK_SNP_Tekkeon_Battery_Snaps_Set.html
The support over there at Tekkeon is VERY customer orientated, in fact it seems like a smaller business actually, because the receptionist from their Irvine, California based number put me right on the phone with a technician to answer my voltage and cell questions, and give advice about their many cords available:
https://www.tekkeon.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=21
Anyways, the technician advised me that the MP3450i batteries actually have slightly better cells than the smart versions, giving (slightly) longer run times (58 Watt Hrs vs 50 Watt Hrs, the unit of energy equivalent to one watt (1 W) of power expended for one hour (1 h) of time.) and also (slightly) faster charges. Not by much so I opted for the smart MP3750 batteries so I didn't ever have to worry about voltage.
As for the smart versions I purchased 6 months ago? Well they are still running strong! Only about 2-3 hours to charge with my HP laptop power pack and I get 8-10 hours of continuous use with a Liliput 7 inch monitor or 10-12 hours continuous use from a z96 LED light! That is considerably more than the battery is (under) rated at: eg. Liliput Monitor = 8W/50Wh = 6.25 hours runtime and Z96 = 7W/50Wh so 7.15 hours runtime
That's an entire day of shooting without ever turning them off! (not that I do that very often but yours should last even longer!)
Enjoy!
Darryl
I have one too but the dual setup. The only thing I dont like is there is no lock or safety switch on the voltage button. From experience 🙁 it will fry your electronics device if you accidentally hit the button and increase the voltage.