BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

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Nero373

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BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostWed Jul 07, 2021 9:21 pm

Hello Guys, i have a doubt.

Recently i purchased my BMPCC4k, and i start to figure out my rigs to use on my dailys work.
One of this itens to build my rig i bought one the SmallRig battery plate, to use NPF battery to power my camera and i have a FeelWorld F6, to be my monitor.

When i start to mount my pieces together i see that my monitor has 12V input to power on by cable and a 8v output to something else, and i realised if plug my AC cable from Battery plate, directly to monitor i can power the monitor and the camera.

The question it is, i can use the camera without any problems using then with 8v pluged on my 12v AC Input?

I realised the original battery pack LP-E6 have 7v output, at least i see on the BMPCC4k Monitor.

I searched on their groups and Youtube, but i don't seem anyone have used BMPCC4k like this.
I really want to use like this because i can reduce 1 battery from the rig.

Regards.
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Mark Foster

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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostFri Jul 09, 2021 11:35 am

no, the minimum is 10,6V for the weipu DC input
only a dummy batterie will work

read the manual
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Nero373

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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostFri Jul 09, 2021 7:24 pm

Mark Foster wrote:no, the minimum is 10,6V for the weipu DC input
only a dummy batterie will work

read the manual


I read the manual they said about Watts power.

I'm starting using the camera like i said and it works very well, no problem until now.
I find this guy showing what i'm doing with mine.

watch?v=0KIUgU-IHBo&t
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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostSat Jul 10, 2021 1:23 am

If you search inside the cinematography forum using the words "ground loop" or earth loop" you will see many instances of people asking similar questions and the best way to not kill your camera and monitor.
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Mark Foster

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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostSat Jul 10, 2021 3:20 pm

Nero373 wrote:
I read the manual they said about Watts power.

I'm starting using the camera like i said and it works very well, no problem until now.
I find this guy showing what i'm doing with mine.

watch?v=0KIUgU-IHBo&t



i see the video now

and see also the RED battery icon!

this will kill your camera because of constant undervolting!
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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostSat Jul 10, 2021 4:50 pm

Mark is correct, you need to provide the 12VDC input on the camera with at least 10.6VDC (which is the minimum a 12 VDC camera battery outputs before shutting down. A good 12-18VDC camera battery is really required by the camera. I used a 15VDC custom battery kit to power my BMPCC4K camera, which worked quite well. It had several isolated 12 VDC outputs which could be used to power the camera and a monitor. But for most situations, I powered the camera and monitor from separate batteries, which is a more reliable solution, and increases your working time before needing to replace the battery.

The operative word in a battery with more than one connection, is how well the different outputs are isolated from each other, to avoid a ground loop situation. Also, always power down the ca era and monitor before connecting or disconnecting any power source, including batteries. Always make your HDMI and SDI (especially SDI) connections between camera and monitors or other accessories whilst the system is powered off. This avoids costly equipment damage and down time, powered HDMI connections can arc to a data port and cause major equipment damage. Be safe, use separate piwer spurces for camera and accessories, make all connections whilst powered off. Your equipment will thank you. ;)
Cheers
Denny Smith
SHA Productions
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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostMon Jul 12, 2021 4:49 pm

thank you all guys!

I will use the complete rig with 2 battery.

Now i understand about, maybe i don't use direct DC from my monitor.
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Re: BMPCC 4K - Using 8 volts instead 12v on AC

PostSun Mar 23, 2025 12:54 pm

Denny Smith wrote:Mark is correct, you need to provide the 12VDC input on the camera with at least 10.6VDC (which is the minimum a 12 VDC camera battery outputs before shutting down. A good 12-18VDC camera battery is really required by the camera. I used a 15VDC custom battery kit to power my BMPCC4K camera, which worked quite well. It had several isolated 12 VDC outputs which could be used to power the camera and a monitor. But for most situations, I powered the camera and monitor from separate batteries, which is a more reliable solution, and increases your working time before needing to replace the battery.

The operative word in a battery with more than one connection, is how well the different outputs are isolated from each other, to avoid a ground loop situation. Also, always power down the ca era and monitor before connecting or disconnecting any power source, including batteries. Always make your HDMI and SDI (especially SDI) connections between camera and monitors or other accessories whilst the system is powered off. This avoids costly equipment damage and down time, powered HDMI connections can arc to a data port and cause major equipment damage. Be safe, use separate piwer spurces for camera and accessories, make all connections whilst powered off. Your equipment will thank you. ;)
Cheers


FROM BLACKMAGIC TECH SUPPORT:

Thanks for your call earlier,

As discussed on the phone, you wanted to get some more information on the safety of using a V Lock battery to power your camera and a monitor.

This solution should not be a problem provided you take the necessary precautions.

HDMI ports can be damaged and burnt in a ground loop if you are connecting and disconnecting devices when everything's turned on, using two separate power supplies for the monitor and the camera or using cheap HDMI cables. As a general rule of thumb, it's never a good idea to hotplug any connections.

The battery you mentioned looks to be compatible, it's 14.8V and the camera can take up to 20V. We would strongly recommend you input the power from the CoreSWX battery through the DC input of the camera, not through the battery slot via a dummy LP-E6 battery. This will burn out the battery connection / battery PCB due to the voltage being handled. You can power the monitor and the camera from the same battery as this is safer than using two, the battery appears to have enough power to do so.

When turning the unit on make sure everything is connected first and then the HDMI ports should be safe.
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