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External battery solutions for GH4
  • dracoredracore

    Anyone successfully using external batteries with the GH4? I am using the ones I had with the GH2 which was a 9V/12V Li-ion external battery which was purchased from eBay (basically one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-6500MA-9V-8500MA-5V-15000MA-Rechargeable-Li-ion-Battery-Pack-for-CCTV-Cam-/370960595674?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item565ef97ada). What I am noticing is that when I turn on the GH4, I see the battery indicator on the GH4 show full battery status but flickering like mad. If the LCD is on, the display flickers too. The flickering battery indicator actually is an issue because the moment you try to access the menu system, you get kicked out immediately. Although it seems that I can still record despite the flicker.

    If you are using an external battery solution successfully, what do you have?

  • 42 Replies sorted by
  • neveraholidayneveraholiday

    Does anyone know, what is the maximum power input of the GH4? My battery goes from 25.2V down to 21V (during usage). Like this I can plug it stright into a bmpcc. But what about the GH4? will it take it? will it blow?

  • hammyukhammyuk

    just received this but unfortunately the battery coupler will not fit inside the battery grip only the camera body, even though I was told it would fit ( seems like Panasonic when they made the grip they switched the side the cable exits )

  • hammyukhammyuk

    gah typical , :( :( now bookmarked

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    @hammyuk

    It is always good to browse deals :-)

    http://www.personal-view.com/deals/power-batteries/batteries-adapters#varavon-gh4-external-battery

  • hammyukhammyuk

    just oredered one of these from japan £100 hope there good.

    http://varavon.com/collections/battery/products/gh4-battery-package

  • mrbillmrbill

    Then you need a v-lock adapter with an appropriate output for the gh4? If you read this post, you'll see that the adapter you like may not output a compatible voltage

  • SangyeSangye

    @mrbill - thanks. I don't want to use bulky or messy voltage converters, I just want an all-in-one system that'll power my GH4, a 12V monitor or EVF, and preferably also my Tascam DR-60D via 5V USB.

  • mrbillmrbill

    @sangye - read the post. It's all there.

  • fehafeha

    I have already made some solutions that will work with DC couplers and any voltage 3-30V as input ... Have some ready boxes left ... http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/6986/flexiom-dc-converter-for-dslr-s-and-all-stuff-requiring-specific-voltage.-/p1

  • SangyeSangye

    After reading up on the advantages of Anton Bauer vs. V-Mount, I decided I'd prefer an Anton Bauer battery plate. The good news is that Lanparte makes that same item in Anton Bauer, and it has an 8.4v out instead of 7.4v.

    So the lingering question is, does the GH4 take 8.4v via the DC coupler?

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  • SangyeSangye

    I'm looking at buying a rail-mounted power solution for my GH4 shoulder rig, preferably with support for V-lock batteries. Lanparte makes a nice one that also comes with an HDMI splitter (not something I need, but I like multi-functional gear), but it's 7.4V. Is this enough to power my GH4?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lanparte-V-mount-baterry-pinch-HDMI-splitter-Power-Supply-Adapter-V-Lock-DSLR-/370696252407?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f37ebf7

    edit -- see 2nd image, apparently they've made a 7.2v, 8.4v, and 7.4v version. I can only find the 7.4v version on eBay now.

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  • csynccsync

    Just about to buy a DC adapter for the GH4. Do you guys happen to know what size DC plug (male) I will need to connect to the Panasonic DMW-DCC12? I am planning on passing it through a dc buck converter as suggested (shouldn't lose too much energy).

  • dracoredracore

    Mystery solved. My multimeter was giving off completely wrong readings. Now I can say with confidence that at 8.8V, the battery indicator light comes on and then camera will shut down. At 9.0V, the camera thinks it is in AC mode and all is well.

  • mrbillmrbill

    I just measured the output of the ac unit running off the mains, and not when it was plugged into the camera - it seemed sensible to replicate that voltage reading. Mines a European unit, but I can't imagine that would make any difference. All my kit is at work, but I wouldn't expect your voltage levels to be that high. Weird.

  • dracoredracore

    And also at 8.8V, do you have the battery indicator turned on? Also do you have a European or NA model? (I'm not sure if there is any difference.. but just curious)

  • dracoredracore

    I honestly don't know. Are you measuring the voltage at the output end of your regulator with a voltmeter AND with the camera turned off? I will have to say there is something weird because I just measured my output again and at 10.95V, my GH4 flickers between battery and no-battery.. so it's still saying not enough power. At 11.35V, the camera thinks I am in AC mode

  • mrbillmrbill

    How is my GH4 working at 8.8v then?

  • dracoredracore

    Just some information. I actually use voltage regulator to drop 12V down to 10.5V. At this level, the GH4 thinks the AC adapter is connected. If I go to 9V or less, the battery indicator shows up and the camera will do checks to verify the battery (which then fails and then turns off the camera). Around 9.7-10V, the camera constantly switches between battery and no-battery mode - this shows up as a flickering battery indicator. When this happens, you will have issues accessing the menu system because it will keep closing on you, however, record does work.

    TL;DR make sure to feed enough voltage so the battery indicator disappears completely

  • dracoredracore

    @mickos those do work because I use them now and I have it going through a voltage regulator

  • s_maurices_maurice

    Thanks mrbill.

  • mrbillmrbill

    I have my voltage selector set to 12v on my Naztechs. I come out of the Naztech into my voltage regulator, which steps the voltage down to 8.8v (I bought the cables to do this from an electrical store in the UK called Maplins). I come out of the voltage regulator and plug into the dummy battery of the ac unit (like the one you link to), and then into the GH4.

    I can't see why it shouldn't work bypassing the voltage regulator and just setting the Naztech to a 9v output, but please be aware you do this at your own risk. 8.8v I know is working..

  • s_maurices_maurice

    So Mrbill, Just to confirm, do you use one of the attachments that come with the Naztech PB15000 Universal Power Bank (see pic) to plug into the dummy battery like this one- http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/181469766404?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107 And set the Naztech to 9v?

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  • mickosmickos

    Naztech look interesting. Ditto on the http://www.ebay.com/itm/External-Rechargeable-Battery-for-Panasonic-GH3-GH4-Video-8500mAh-DMW-DCC12-/181134841252 These don't work and the seller doesn't reply when contacted.

  • mrbillmrbill

    The 15000 model

  • s_maurices_maurice

    Which one do you use mrbill?

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