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AC Adapter Alternative

  • 25-02-2009 10:33pm
    #1
    democrates
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭


    Has anyone used an alternative mains-dc power supply for their dslr instead of the branded 'ac adapter'?


Comments

  • #2
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,624 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    If you use a non-standard AC adapter you run the risk of destroying the battery because the DC voltage is too high.

    Use at your own risk.


  • #3
    democrates
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭democrates


    coylemj wrote: »
    If you use a non-standard AC adapter you run the risk of destroying the battery because the DC voltage is too high.

    Use at your own risk.
    Fair warning if anyone else is considering this, consider the sony laptop batteries that caught fire. If a non-brand psu smokes your camera and/or lens the warranty is void, and if your hack torches your gaff the home insurance is void, it's really not something to toy with.

    If I were going to try this it would be without a battery in the camera, so mains only. The PSU would have to be regulated and smoothed of course to supply a clean precise dc voltage under varying current loads.

    The typical cheap adapters with four jacks and selectable voltage would not pass muster, I metered one at .8V over the selected voltage against a high resistance load and dropping 1.3V under max current, they're grand for some devices but generally not for sophisticated electronics.

    It's a while since I've looked at the market for psu's but there have to be better quality options for half the price of the brand offerings which are a total rip-off for what they do.


  • #4
    red_ice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,946 ✭✭✭red_ice


    Just make sure the voltage is correct. I had a 'noname' replacement adapter for my old laptop which was running at 18.5 volt if i recall correctly. The adapter had a screw type pot that highgered/lowered the voltage by .5. As long as you have the right male/female connectors for your hardware and the voltages match, you should be fine.

    Let it be known tho, warrenty would more than likely be void if someone who knew their stuff had a look at your crisped hardware... unless you get away with the old chestnut that is "it was a power surge that broke it", which only sympathy will get you your warrenty.

    Again, thats only coming from my computer background. Cant say its the same for cameras... but i would assume it is.


  • #5
    democrates
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭democrates


    red_ice wrote: »
    Just make sure the voltage is correct. I had a 'noname' replacement adapter for my old laptop which was running at 18.5 volt if i recall correctly. The adapter had a screw type pot that highgered/lowered the voltage by .5. As long as you have the right male/female connectors for your hardware and the voltages match, you should be fine.

    Let it be known tho, warrenty would more than likely be void if someone who knew their stuff had a look at your crisped hardware... unless you get away with the old chestnut that is "it was a power surge that broke it", which only sympathy will get you your warrenty.

    Again, thats only coming from my computer background. Cant say its the same for cameras... but i would assume it is.
    Exactly, looks like I'd need 7.2v for the 5d II and I haven't determined the current requirement yet.

    But it might be for nought, according to one forum there's a chance the DR-E6 DC-Coupler (comes as part of the ac kit and car charger kit) mimics part of the new circuitry in the lp-e6 battery, and that without it the camera may refuse to operate. If that's the case I wouldn't be surprised if the grip is also rigged to frustrate competition.

    Is it just me or is Canon getting like the Microsoft of the camera world?


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