BMCC 6KFF usb-c Power Banks

Hi! I couldn't find this topic, at least in relation to the 6KFF camera. So hopefully this is now the first opening for the issue.

I just got a new BMCC 6KFF camera and bought a usb-c adapter and a Goal Zero Sherba 100PD 4th Gen power bank. The camera turns on, but will not record or change iris or give phantom power for microphone with that. The power bank is up to 100W and 3A, but does not work. The camera otherwise works fine on its own battery.

I just need good power bank that lasts long but is maximum less than 100Wh, so that's ok to take to airplain also.

Does anyone have any experience with usb-c power banks that work with a 6K FF camera? Don't dare to buy multiple power banks just to test. I also don't trust the information what worked with previous camera models because it's not sure those work with 6KFF.

Thanks!!

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I'm pretty sure you aint going to get much more than a small light especially through USB-c.

My suggestion, one which I use with no problems is a V-lock plate and V-lock battery and I power my BM6KPro from the battery, as the camera is 12V, and I power a monitor from the plate using a dummy battery, and if I need, I can use the USB-c on the plate to power a light.

You can take a V-lock battery on a plane in hand luggage.

I think a power bank via USB-C only trickle charges the internal battery. Is that what you're doing and it makes some functions fail?

Where have you read that you can power up the camera by USB?
Bmc cameras usually use power in to power up the camera, never used usb-c to do that be cause they leave it free to use external usb disk.
I’m quite sure that it only recharge your internal battery and no more, but in the weak way.
Try to see if you powerbank had a real 12v output and buy a simple cable powerbank to weipu to power the camera in the right way.
Or buy a classic plate to use nfp980 or gmount or vmount battery and power the camera in the classic way.

edit : i checked the manual of camera, page 8. USB-c can be used only to recharge internal battery, that mean you use camera by internal battery not by powerbank, but powerbank not recharge so fast the battery to keep in healt the camera.

IOW, it doesn’t work.

My suggestion, one which I use with no problems is a V-lock plate and V-lock battery and I power my BM6KPro from the battery, as the camera is 12V, and I power a monitor from the plate using a dummy battery, and if I need, I can use the USB-c on the plate to power a light.

The V-lock battery does not work this time, because the whole set must be light and also simple in terms of charging possibilities. But I have a usb-c–BMPCC adapter with which I get enough power for the camera.

BUT I got new power bank and now it works! Funny that the cheapest under 100Wh from the local Clas Ohlson was compatible.

I think a power bank via USB-C only trickle charges the internal battery. Is that what you're doing and it makes some functions fail?

I got a new power bank and now it works! There must be some problem with the previous one. The camera works well now with all functions and there should be enough power to charge the battery at the same time, but I haven't tasted that yet. Of course, it depends on the capacity of the power bank also how it will go.

However can the camera operate on USB C provided power? I think the pocket cameras are only able to charge the internal battery using USB C when the camera is powered off. Not sure of the new cameras.

I use a usb-c–BMPCC adapter, which means that the power in the camera comes to the power plug, the source is usb-c. But I got a new power bank and now it works fine! There must be some compatibility problem with the previous one.

V-lock batteries are nice, except huge charger for the ones I have.

Yes V-locks are nice, but I can't use them in this production now. The set needs to be light and charging the batteries also simple so this is something new to tested also, but now looks good. Also a cheap option.

Is there nowadays V-lock batteries that could be charged directly from USB C? that would be good.

In some power banks, you can define the direction in/out of the usb-c port, which means that charging is at least theoretically possible if you can find adapters.

Where have you read that you can power up the camera by USB?
Bmc cameras usually use power in to power up the camera, never used usb-c to do that be cause they leave it free to use external usb disk.
I’m quite sure that it only recharge your internal battery and no more, but in the weak way.
Try to see if you powerbank had a real 12v output and buy a simple cable powerbank to weipu to power the camera in the right way.
Or buy a classic plate to use nfp980 or gmount or vmount battery and power the camera in the classic way.

edit : i checked the manual of camera, page 8. USB-c can be used only to recharge internal battery, that mean you use camera by internal battery not by powerbank, but powerbank not recharge so fast the battery to keep in healt the camera.

I wrote a little inaccurately, but I use a usb-c–BMPCC adapter, which means that the camera is powered by the power plug, the source is usb-c. BUT I got a new power bank and now it works fine!

External power banks are used with BMPCC cameras, but this BMCC camera is so new that there is still very little user experience with it. Thants why I started this topic.

V-lock batteries are not suitable for the need at this time, but at least the problem is solved - for now.

IOW, it doesn’t work.

Now it does.

Oh ok, so that adapter feeds into the 12v power connection on the camera? What do you power with the bank, only the camera or some accessory as well?

Oh ok, so that adapter feeds into the 12v power connection on the camera? What do you power with the bank, only the camera or some accessory as well?

Yes, with the adapter cable it gives power for the camera. I have only camera, phantom for mic and external ssd. Lens aperture is also controlled via camera. Everything works. But you need to check that power bank can output 3A. My 26800mAh / 96,48Wh lasts 3,5 hours.

Thanks. That's actually an interesting option. Many of the latest generation of power banks have digital battery indication, at least 3 power outs, short circuit protection (how good is it though?) and can be charged quickly from very small chargers. And 3-4 times cheaper than V-Mount.

How do you mount the bank to the camera? I saw Smallrig and Tilta offer power bank holders.

Voltage stability is the only question that you should do to yourself.
Power in accept from 12 to 20v, is not a problem if voltage grow a bit, if go under 12v you can observe many hidden troubles like small stop of camera, problem on recording (usb disk and cards should be powered and low voltage causes problems) sometimes stop of recording sometimes CORRUPTION of files.
Use a tool to check the continuity of voltage out from your power bank.
If you observe smaller down of voltage 11.9-12v could stress more circuits of pockets and reduce its life.
check that voltage is in the range 12-20 from all battery that you choose.


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Good point. I could imagine power banks in general would favor high current and low voltage to prioritize faster charging.

How do you mount the bank to the camera? I saw Smallrig and Tilta offer power bank holders.

Yes!, Tilta and Smallrig, for example, as well as many others I think, offer rig systems. Of course, the shape and size of the power bank needs to be check with rig system. I do have V-lock batteries also, but if you want to keep the overall size small and charging simple fex. on the road, these power banks are very welcome.