Steadicam Flyer demo clip

[Tom Bufkin]

Hey guys, once again many thanks for being here.  I am loving (as you suggested,) the practice, practice, practice!

Mikko, since you are a regular Flyer user I thought you might be more familiar with this issue but If anyone can help, please chime right in.

I have noticed that the battery will die within 48 hours even while not being used when plugged into the user side (top) battery mount of the sled.  I have the IDX V-mount Endura 7S Starter packs and have fully charged the battery packs.  The system works just fine for what I call a normal usage time, example:  30 minutes of practice today then 30 minutes tomorrow etc.

But, If I fully charge them and plug them into the holder/mount and not turn anything on and leave them alone for 48 hours the top one will slowly go completely dead.  First, I spoke with B&H and they agreed that It was probably bad batteries (2) and promptly replaced them.  Nothing changed, same problem.

I called Kyle at Customer Service at Tiffen Factory In CA.,  He speculates there is a drain on the batteries while plugged into the mount.  I tend to aggree in that when plugging in a battery pack on the top while the monitor is turned off I notice the power light blinks once then goes off.   Maybe I'm supposed to only install the battery packs just before use and then remove immediately after use.  It just strikes me as an odd way of wiring to have a constant drain on the system that would require you to leave the batteries unplugged until you need to use them. 

It sits so well on its stand ,all balanced when fully assembled, ready to use.  Just put on the vest, the arm, plug it in and go!  Unless you have to plug in the batteries only when needed.  Not to mention kind of dangerously top heavy when sitting on the stand.

Any thoughts?                                                              curiously grateful, Tom Bufkin

[Charles King]

I wonder if this has something to do with the monitor... I may have read somewhere on this issue. Not sure. Hopefully Mikko can verify this for us.

[MikkoWilson]

Yeah I'll confirm this issue, along with your observations.

Only the top mount of the Flyer (not counting the 24v versions) is wired in - the bottom mount is purly to hold a 2nd battery as counterweight.

As you have noticed, the monitor's power light blinks when the system is energized (when you connect a battery to the top plate).
The power socket on the stage is also always live with a battery on the top mount. - Meanign that a camera or anything else running of that mount must be switched off from it's own power switch.
But presuming nothing is plugged in up top, there is only one place the power can go - and that is the monitor.
The monitor's power button is not a hard switch, it just toggles a power circuit. This power circuit must always be monitoring that button, waiting for a "push" to power up the monitor.
I belive that this power control circuit in the monitor draws a tiny amount of power from the battery. Immaterial with the system in use, or even if left on the stand for a few hours (during lunch for example). However over time, the draw from that circuit is enough to drain the batter over a couple of days. This could even be slightly risky for batteries that don't have exccesive discahrge protection built in.

The oly way to truly remove all the load form a battery is to use a hard power switch - which the Flyer sled does not have. So the only option for long term storage is to not have a battery on the top mount. With a lighter camera on top, I jsut normally move the battery onto the (unconnected) lower plate. Simple and still keeps it in approximate balance on the stand.

I wish that the Flyer had a hard power switch like the bigger rigs (Including my Archer [which uses the same monitor]), and really, it wouldn't be a paticularly hard modification for one to make if it was really an issue.

However, to only place that it's a good idea to leave rig batteries for an extended period of time is on an active ("inteligent") charger. This will keep them properly charged and mange their condition to ensure a good long battery life.

 - Mikko

[Tom Bufkin]

Thank you Charles and Mikko,

I fully agree with you that the smart charger is truly the only way to leave the batteries for extended periods.

I intend to do justs that.

But, being an (old) man who has owned dozens of rechargeabale tools, cameras, lights, radios, etc, that were far less expensive than 6 grand, all of which seem to do just fine till you go "click on" it just puts me back a little to think that a well known company (Tiffen) would'nt already have something this simple incorporated in such a fine and I emphasize fine piece of equipment!

To their credit, in my inexperienced opinion, the guys at Steadicam have done a fine job on the Flyer.  It really makes smooth moves!  Every time I practice with it I am amazed.  I still have much to learn about operating it though.  Its' just fun learning.

Now I want a boom.  Man, Is there no end to this?  Oh well, You could say it keeps me out of the beer joint!

thanks again guys for your input,

                                                                                                       Tom Bufkin

[Charles King]

No problem. The flyer is a sweet rig.

[Terry Alston]

Hi Charles,

I'm looking at various software for embedding and streaming video. Of course I'm familiar with YouTube, etc., etc., but I'm curious about which software you used to embed the demo video clip.

Thanks,

Terry

[Charles King]

Hi Terry. The forum format is thanks to the server owner and designer, Kevin Clark. Send him a PM. Here it is: kevin@hbsboard.com

[Terry Alston]

Thanks, will do.

Terry