DIY Battery Pack with bell & whistle?!

[surfer18]

I build a 6 volt battery pack with the following specs.... just like to know are there more people interested? This is not a confirm list to get. I just need to know who are interested to get only. Cost me $150 to built the Single pack. Not really cheap but I like the 30mins fast charge options & multiple connections.

Quantam Battery 1+ is 6V 2500mAh. This DIY pack is at least 3600mAh. This DIY pack is without the fast ramping circuit in Quantum battery. If "Faster" recycle is require, an easy options is to add big capacitor to quickly dump the power to the flash. I don't think its needed in most cases since AA battery still can do the job in the first place & we don't use full flash power all the time.

Future I will come out a 9V version and possible to have multiple voltage supply for flash & camera, mp3, handphone, PDA all at the same time.

Battery Specs:

6V single pack is 3600mAh or double pack 7200mAh
High Drain Battery (30~40Amp drain per sec possible) for fast re-cycle time without ramp up circuits.
With L.E.D. indicator for battery gauge
Charges in 30mins for single pack & 1hr for double pack for fast charge
Can branch out to multiple flash at a time (re-cycle will be slower for more flash connected).
Mains charger. 12V Car/bike charger possible.
Weight is about 400g for Single pack

negative points:
No LED indications during charging process
Battery is High Drain type so it will not retain it's charge over a few days. So need to charge just the day before or 1hr before usage.

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[Splutter]

May I know how will the battery pack be connected to the flash? For instance, for 580EX, is it possible to DIY the plug for the CP-E3 too?

[surfer18]

Simply... The quantum cable from my Quantum 1+ just plug directly into the battery output jack for 2 of my flash.

For 2 more flash connects connections, I simply use 2 cheapo small alligator clip to hold the tags inside the battery compartment. Suprizingly, the alligator clips holds pretty strong. It works without the battery cover. So I won't have to cut a opening for cable entry like using the quantum cables. I use aluminum foil to increase the contacts inside the battery compartment.


Next is going to use a Li-Poly battery as lighter power source & put in a Voltage Regulator to supply 6v 7Amp constantly to the flash for super fast re-cycle.

[kahheng]

Originally Posted by surfer18 I build a 6 volt battery pack with the following specs.... just like to know are there more people interested? This is not a confirm list to get. I just need to know who are interested to get only. Cost me $150 to built the Single pack. Not really cheap but I like the 30mins fast charge options & multiple connections. )

I applaud your DIY inventiveness.

[maxim]

hi
i am most interested , do you have prototype for testing first before ordering

using with 580ex or Metz54 ??

thnks

[yanyewkay]

what's the operating temperature of this pack? more interested in life in colder climate.

also how did you determine the 30-40 amp/s dump?

[surfer18]

The battery drain is rated 30~40amps. Did not feel the battery warm up at all during usage. Pictures below comparing it between Quantum Battery 1+. The other picture is how I use it to power 2 flash. Actually can power more stuff at 1 go. Well as you can see it's almost like quantum battery with much higher flash count. Quantum 1+ is 6V 2500mAh, this pack is 6V 3600mAh.

Pictures link below:
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~surf...kCompare03.JPG
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~surf...PackLink02.JPG

I have added a circuit to add 3 more specs, my main concern is protecting equipment:

1. Voltage limited to 5.99V max even when battery voltage is much higher when it was fully charged. Fully Protecting user equipment. kekeke

2. The Amper is limited to 10Amps linear & 20Amps for surge. This is still a lot compare to AA battery providing 2500mAh max. At 10amps performance is almost as quick as Quantum, but not flying flash circuits. I have tested with my Minolta 5400HS & Sony 32 flash. Of course at full output need 1~4 sec to re-cycle depending on your flash.

3. Has 7 LED. 3 red for lower battery statues. 2 green for high battery status & 2 green for average battery status. Display is different that Quantum. Only 1 LED will light up showing the status. Quantum Battery will light up all LED at the lower level. Keeping LED drainage super low.

4. Total weight of this battery pack is 350grams.

I have a spare set if someone wants to try your hands on... Still figuring out how to let you guys charge it at home safely.

[surfer18]

Different Voltage is possible. Could add different circuit to it. Maybe can do something in the cables to supply different Voltage.

Maybe you guys advice me? Example Voltage needed? Types of equipment to be powered? Types of cable & cable connections? Size? Smaller better with lesser power or More power with slightly bigger size? I seen 1.2Volt 4000mAh battery.

[surfer18]

Originally Posted by maxim hi i am most interested , do you have prototype for testing first before ordering using with 580ex or Metz54 ?? thnks

Sure no problem. You bring along your flash I bring along my pack & have a test out the fast re-cycle. MP me lor.

[surfer18]

Originally Posted by catchlights It will be more practical to make this battery pack like quantum turbo, I make homemade 6V battery pack using SLA battery at a much lesser cost, been using it for a few years already.

I got those SLA pack years back also. Problem is there is no battery guage at that time & there is no circuit to stablize the voltage & current.

And it's heavier then what I made now. 350grams.

Next I going to reduce it's size & weight using Li-poly Battery

[surfer18]

Originally Posted by catchlights Weight and no battery gauge don’t really matter to me. This battery pack is really economy and powerful. All I looking for is 9V SLA battery and charger, so I can make a 9V battery pack for my Metz 45.

Pretty easy to solve this but the battery pack will be external & with wires running to the battery compartment of your Metz 45. If you like I can make a pack using the same type of cell. At 3600mAh or do you prefer even higher?

Actually need not to be 9V. When battery charging the flash circuits, the battery Voltage drops. Also for re-charagble battery, when they are full charged warm battery, their voltage is actually higher then 1.5v per cell.

As long as your input voltage is between 7.0V to 10.5V it's works. Don't ask me why I know this. A little trade secret to keep.

For me, I will not just put directly connects a big battery to my flash. Reasons being, the big current is comming in & equipment works better on a stable voltage then one jumping. Better to have some circuit to protect your EXPENSIVE equipment.

I have a own created Metz Charger running on my original Metz 45 AA rechargable battery pack. I know Metz is selling their "ORIGINAL" charger for $85 at Cathay Photos. My own created is only $25. Works fine till battery get 95% charged. Some safety features just not to over-charged the battery to shorten it's life. ANYONE INTERESTED??

[surfer18]

So who wants a Battery Pack that functions like Quantum Turbo at a fractions of the cost??

And

Metz charger at fractions of the cost?

MP me.

[nightwolf75]

would be nice if u can show us some pics of the final version?

[Splutter]

Does this mean after getting the battery pack, we still have to get the our own quantum cables? I think the cables cost quite a lot leh, possible to DIY also? Something like the CP-E3 at 12V and with connecting wires would definitely be great

[surfer18]

Originally Posted by nightwolf75 would be nice if u can show us some pics of the final version?

Picture link is above. This is not the final version. As you can see, it's quite bare bone now. This baby now can sit inside a Handphone Plastic case & clip onto my belt.

[surfer18]

Originally Posted by Splutter Does this mean after getting the battery pack, we still have to get the our own quantum cables? I think the cables cost quite a lot leh, possible to DIY also? Something like the CP-E3 at 12V and with connecting wires would definitely be great

Currently I am using it with Quantum Cable on 1 flash & using Alligator clips onto another 2 flash.

Cheapo Method 1:
Using small wooden pieces (Size of battery) & screw the cables onto them.

Cheapo Method 2:
Use exhausted dry cell battery. Make sure it's really completely exhausted with no liquid inside, cause it won't have anything to leak. Solder the cable to them.

Cheapo Method 3: (Cheapest)
Jam the cable soldered ends into the contact point, stuff the battery compartment with paper. Then force close the battery compartment cover. If contacts not good, place Aluminum Foil to increase current flow.

Cheapo Method 4: (Still thinking)

Another method is source for those to come by "Dummy Battery" and screw cables to them.

I still prefer to Alligator Clip, because there is no need to cut a hole in the battery compartment cover for cable exiting. So next time your flash still in as original conditions as ever. The Alligator Clip holds itself to the battery contacts inside. Battery Compartment cover was not needed to hold the cable in place.

[surfer18]

Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack is a 300~350VAC supply that directly charges to the capacitor inside the flash. Like the one I use EP-1 for Minolta flash.

Flash needs to charge up their 300~350VAC Capacitor inside before it can fire the flash tube. CPE3 or EP-1/2 has circuit to step-up the voltage to directly charge the capacity inside the flash. And the input of CPE3 or EP-1/2 using a higher number of battery cell. Example 6 AA size you get 9VDC

Normal we only uses the 4 AA battery inside the flash. Also functions for charging the Capacitor at 300~350VAC. At 4AA only 6VDC input.

I would not go create one something like CPE3 or EP-1/2. Because as in AC mode at 300+ voltage & frequency difference may hurt equipment circuit board very quickly. Really not recommended.

My last project I have already tried connecting 300VAC to charge a Minolta 2800 flash. Pretty dangerous to do. This voltage hurts & burns.

[Splutter]

Yeah, I did find out that a step up circuit is needed. The reason restraining me from making a pack is I cant find anything that even resembles the plug into 580EX. Oh well..

[surfer18]

Some testing for you guys to see. Minolta 5400HS flash has a guide number of 177 feet (54 meters) at ISO 100. This is Minolta biggest flash gun available.

At 1/1 (Full) Power using Minolta 5400HS Flash. Takes slightly more then 3sec to re-cycle at 1/1 power.
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~surf...ll%20Power.MPG

At 1/2 Power using Minolta 5400HS Flash. Takes 1 sec to re-cycle.
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~surf...lf%20Power.MPG

At 1/4 Power using Minolta 5400HS Flash. Only need less then 1 sec re-cycle after 4~6 continuous burst at 1/4 power
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~surf...er%20Power.MPG

At 1/8 Power using Minolta 5400HS Flash. No time delay for re-cycle
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~surf...ht%20Power.MPG

Battery performance above is slightly slower (Less then 0.5 sec) then Quantum QB1+ at full (1/1) power using the same flash.

I am still sourcing for a plastic casing to contain everything in a small package. Maybe go for a leather casing with belt hooks.

[surfer18]

Originally Posted by Splutter Yeah, I did find out that a step up circuit is needed. The reason restraining me from making a pack is I cant find anything that even resembles the plug into 580EX. Oh well..

If the original Canon cable plug has more then 2 connectors, meaning there is a on/off controls from the flash unit itself. Not constantly feeding 300v.

You can use separate single connector to plug in. Or just solder the cable directly to the flash unit inside.??