NP-1 BATTERIES - Production Recording

NP-1 BATTERIES
Generally: The only thing that is the same about NiCad, NiMH and Lith-ion
(=Lithium) NP1 type batteries is the size. The NiCads come in 12volt 1,7ah,
1,8ah, 1,9ah, 2,3ah, 2,4ah. And the NiMH are 12 volt 3,5ah, 4ah, 13,2 volt
3,5ah and in the USA 12 volt 4,5ah (?). The Lithium Ion is 14,4 volt 2ah and 14,4
volt 2,8ah. NiCads can have 10 11 or 12 cells. NiCads have been around for a
long time and can be charged by most chargers and will accept a lot of abuse.
NiMH is of a higher capacity with the same weight (2,3 ah max NiCad/ 4ah max
NiMH). They do require a different special charger. (NiMH do not like to be over
charged.) If used with the correct charger, they should give you the same cycle
life as NiCads. Aspen chargers charge both and any voltage cell, they sense the
inverse Delta of charging current only, not heat. IX chargers charge all 3 kinds.
The Lith-ion NP1 batteries have the advantage of weight (350grams) but are not
suitable for high discharge and with a 14.4 volt nominal voltage may be too high
for some equipment. Having said that, the voltage of a 10 cell (12 volt) battery
NiCad/NiMH could rise to 17 volts depending on the charge rate. Lith-ion battery
would be 16.4 volts max. right off the charger.
The advantage of Lith-ion batteries is the weight and the low temperature
capability. The Lith-ion NP1 battery would not operate your equipment much
longer than an NP1-B NiCad battery but only half the time of an NiMH battery
[IDX claims differently]. (Ray Pritchard www.rpmarketing.co.uk)
Note: None of the manufacturers seem to select cells of the same capacity for
a pack where they get charged together to increase life through uniform
charging. All the manufacturers in the USA seem to use Sanyo cells. Don't
expect more than 18 months out of any NiCad and that's if you use them or not.
They do seem to keep capacity better if used regularly.
Notes on the new Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries: Their power capacity goes
way down when the batteries are used in cold weather. They outlast Lithium in
recharge cycles. They have memory and their typical lifetime used or not is not
much more than 18 months. Read the IDX website for more comparisons.
NiCads are cheapest! And remember all the manufacturers' specmanship forces
them to lie, yes imagine that LIE! Chris Wolf says: NiMhd and NiCad fail to
deliver much energy once the temperature drops below freezing. Voltagedepression
problems do affect both and so, too, do cell imbalance and cell
polarity-reversal effects, both of which are difficult to distinguish from "memory."
Lithiums are good to –40F. Charge at room temp.
Aspen: Make NiCad and NiMH Batt some with digital
L.E.D. fuel gauge. Their NiCads were the cheapest
($50 for 11 cell NP1 type street price) Tel.
714.379.2515 Good customer phone service: (800) 241-8994. It has been said
that you can go to their factory and wait for any repairs. Company has a good

eputation of looking after small customers. Nicely designed web site:
http://www.aspenelectronics.com Aspen has interesting software that tests
batteries in their chargers and gives you a database on their performance.
FLASH: They sell a special NiMH battery that has a circuit in it that allows you to
charge it from a regular NiCad charger. $160 list. Nice compact chargers that are
good for both NiCads and NiMH with built in dischargers. Aspen was bought by
the same company that owns Bauer in 2002.
PAG
10663 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601, (818)760-8265 (English
made chargers) also sold by Frezzolini, (800)345-1030, are smaller and lighter
and have outputs for BP-90 (round coax plug). 4 XLR pin and NP-1 adapter is
available. Has diagnostic super fast refresh cycling charger that keeps a
computer disk record of battery condition. PAG makes a cap for NP1 type
battery with cable and 4pin. Net: http://www.pag.co.uk
Anton Bauer
They are the most widely used and seen chargers and
batteries just because of their marketing and sales efforts.
NP13 - Best price $110 at Band Pro, Burbank. (Little sales support here but they
are the largest Anton Bauer dealer in the US.) Charger LSNP ($650 discounted)
has 4 holes; discontinued in 2001. Charges an NP1 or NP13 batteries
sequentially in about an hour + each, then sequences to charge the next battery
of the 4. It comes with a manual that obfuscates how the charger works. Much
blinking of red and green lights (solid green = good). Will not recondition by
discharging but does all kinds of other supposedly good stuff under
microprocessor control. Anton Bauer publishes a unclear battery book for free.
Now on the web: http://www.antonbauer.com/handbook/handbook.html
(800)541-1667 also (800)422-3473 or (203)929-1100. The national sales rep,
Joe Rosado, says: We use Sanyo cells.
NP1A - “centered centered cell” for longer run, shorter life - 18 Watt hr
NP1B - now discontinued
NP13 - “centered centered cell” shorter run, but longer life,
These are good for 14-16 months with Beta, 24 Watt hr. Beta cams draw 2.2 A,
PD-4 and PD-2 draw.8 A. This puts much less strain on battery and they should
last a few cycles longer. http://www.antonbauer.com/
Nitek1
(800) 697-1122 or (510)538-5973 at 22011 Chaparral La., Castro Valley, CA
94552, make a charger that works from cigarette lighter in car. Make a
discharger with 10 segment LED voltmeter. 30 min. charge
Frezzi Energy Systems, make NiCad and NiMH batteries and
chargers, 5 Valley Street Hawthorne, NJ 07506, USA, Tel: (973)
427-1160 Fax: (973)
427-0934 (800) 345-1030 E-mail frezzi@frezzi.com

Cool-Lux Pro Power & Lighting
Phone: (800)223-2589 and (805)482-4820, Fax: (805)482-0736 makes a variety
of reasonably priced batteries and chargers. http://www.cool-lux.com
These charts by Cool-Lux for CoolBrick NiCad Cells:
L ithium and other rare batteries available from: http://www.tadiranbat.com/
IDX make NiCad and Lithium Ion. Engineered in Japan and
built there too I believe. MUST READ website explaining why
Lithium is better than NiMH. For approx. $250 you get Li NP1s
with a built in five segment battery meter. For around $200
you get the same battery without the built in meter. Freshly charged without a
load they peak at just under 16 volts. Maximum output voltage: 16.4 Volts Mean
output voltage: 14.4 volts, Capacity: 50Wh (14.4V/3.2 Ah). Minimum cut off
9.5V. Official temps: -14F – 122F. Charger come in 2 hole JL-2 sequential
(approx $350 in 2002) and 4 hole sequential or simultaneous versions for over
$1300. 8170 Ronson Road Suite C, San Diego, CA 92111 Phone: (619)560-
9779 President: Pat O’Rourke ALSO IDX System Technology, Inc. 1602
Lockness Place Torrance, CA 90501 Tel: 310-891-2800 Marketing: Michelle. .
http://www.idxtek.com/ Dealers in Boston: Stuart Cody, in LA: LSC, Band Pro.
Stuart Cody - none knows more about Lithiums and primary
Lithiums than he does. Primary Lithiums are still half of
rechargeables weight for the same energy. He makes them, he
sells them, and consults honestly and comprehensively. He
equips all film or
video expeditions to cold and daring places (Everest, Artic
etc…). Modifies IDX chargers for 12V. Boston (617)787-4313. A good site:
http://automatedmedia.com/
Information on Batteries in low temp conditions is available from Pete
Bucktrout from the British Antarctic Survey on 01223 221400.

Hawk-Woods Ltd, United House, 32
Brinkley Road, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 8JF England
Tel: +44 (0)20 8715-0999, FAX: +44 (0)20 8330 5659,
Good Internet site with useful info:
http://www.hawkwoods.com/ They make cables that
attach to an NP1: Battery to 4-pin XLR for about $60
street, with the Hirose for about $150. Also make chargers and Batteries. Lithium
NP-1 (430 gr. 50Watt with fuel gauge) and charger that runs on 12V as well as
110-220V. Make RF receiver holders for various sizes.
R.P.Marketing, Ray Pritchard,
http://www.rpmarketing.co.uk
RP Marketing Sales Tel: +44 (0)1787 278983 Fax: +44
(0) 1787 278997 Mobile: 0973 769847 Email:
ray.apt@lineone.net They make very flexible fast
chargers (12V and 90-220 input) for NP1 of all
persuasions. Their batteries have microprocessor
controlled capacity indicators. They makes 50 Watt NiMH batteries with five LED
charge indicators. He also makes 1, 2, and 4 channel chargers. He also makes
NiCad and Lithium NP1's. He used to work for IDX in the UK.
de=Li-856N
SWITRONIX A new company based in Nanjing, P. R.
China with some interesting engineering: NiCad, NiMH
and Lithium. Li-Ion NP1 called Li-856N claim 56 WH 14.4 V.
1-800-613-SWIT http://www.switronix.com/ or www.switbattery.com
and
http://www.walkart.net/english/productdetail.asp?productco
Batteries FAQs - all there is to know about heavy batteries at:
http://www.dcbattery.com/ Brands: Optima, Lifeline, Powersonic, not Panasonic,
not Hawker.
Panasonic has decent info CD they will send you or batteries on the net:
http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/battery/oem/chem/seal/index.html
Interesting NiCad info:
http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Battery.html#NICDBATTERY_025
Complete Battery sales of all kinds and accessories and custom assembly on
web (shipping from MA): http://www.advanced-battery.com/
Car and Deep Cycle (Sealed Lead-Acid) Battery Frequently Asked Questions
(F AQ) maybe found at http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/ Also, has a
Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List, Battery References and
Information Links.

Battery charger controller for solar panels:
http://www.solarconverters.com/index.html
Current prices 2003: Nicad NP-35 14V 2.4 Ahr $113.75, NP1-BEQ 13V 1.9 Ahr
$61.25, 12V 2.4 Ahr NiMHd IDX NP-23DX $86.25, IDX NP-1 Lithium $186.
About discharging NiCads:
Larry Fisher writes: First : the easiest way to discharge NP-1 is with the Aspen
RoQ-4 charger that has a discharger built in that stops at the correct voltage and
with a $50 computer prog. and cable will keep track of your batteries and their
condition over their lifecycle. [Unfortunately their software requires a win 95
machine. Hard to find these days. Ed].
A safe way to discharge a Batt pack ( 10 – 13 cells in a NP-1) to a fairly low
level is to put a digital volt meter (DVM) on the pack and keep a eye on the
voltage. Near the endpoint of the discharge cycle, you will see a sudden (over
less than a minute) 1.2 volt drop in the battery voltage as the weakest cell goes
from 1.2 volts to 0 volts. Stop discharging the battery at that moment, before the
weak cell can go into a reversed condition. If you continue discharging the
battery, you will see additional 1.2 volt steps as more cells go to 0 volts. Do not
miss this point or you will ruin the battery.
I think the smart chargers, when run in a renewal mode, discharge the pack and
look for that sudden 1.2 volt drop. [Some just look for the overall voltage of a
pack say 6 (cells) x 1.0 volt = 6.0V min. for a 6V battery. This is the voltage you
should stop discharging if no 1.2V drop had occurred first.]
The notion that “memory effect” is nonexistent is correct, crystallization
is what
reduces the capacity of a still good NiCad. Crystallization occurs over time and
can occur whether a battery is being trickle charged or stored, in a charged or
discharged state. We (Lectrosonics) used to receive batteries in a fully
discharged state from high quality manufacturers and they all had about 70%
capacity on the first charge - discharge cycle. After that first cycle they would
meet their rated capacity but would make about 120% capacity after a few more
cycles. Crystallization is reversed by battery usage. A full discharge will reverse
crystallization in the quickest way but may ruin a pack. Substantial partial
discharges (80% discharged to choose a number) will accomplish the same thing
but it may take 3 or 4 cycles before the battery is reformed to full capacity. My
experience is that an 80% discharge every month will keep a battery in good
shape without running the danger of reversing a cell. I have no scientific basis for
that statement. [Generally people agree that NiCads that are used regularly last a
lot longer than ones on the shelf a lot]. Like people, occasional [monthly]
not
strenuous exercise will keep a NiCad in good shape, just don't overdo it. [Do
discharge to less than 1V per cell].
As the experienced and exhausted NiCad users know, full discharges won't
damage a battery pack every time it is done or even once every ten times. As the
packs
get older and the cells become more and more unbalanced in capacity, the

probability of shorting one does increase. Heavy discharges to low voltages
[below 1V per cell] will eventually catch up with you.
One last thought: use caution when discharging or using a NiCad pack. They
can deliver frightening amounts of current, on the order of hundreds of amps.
A well charged one amp 12 volt battery pack weighing one pound can turn a
piece of number 18 wire red hot much faster than you can let go of it. Most
commercial packs are fused but don't depend on the fuse. You can be
burned down to the bones experimenting on yourself.
Batteries in cold:
Lithiums rechargeable are pretty good at low temperatures and would be the best
choice. NiCads are great when cold but their capacity is much less than the
lithiums to begin with. If you do recharge NiCads or NiMH's, be aware that they
will discharge well at low temperatures but they won't recharge worth a dang
when cold. The cell won't accept a charge and the current forced into the battery
causes electrolysis of the electrolyte and the battery will overpressure and vent.
When charging always bring batteries to room temp.
Above written by Larry Fisher Lectrosonics larryf@lectrosonics.com
LITHIUM BATTERIES: 9V
So here's the bottom line about Lectrosonics position on 9 Volt lithiums for Radio
Mike transmitters: Buy Ultralife branded batteries, keep them in the foil pouch
until you are ready to use them (a few months in open air does no harm,
however). One little trick, if you are using 9 V lithiums in RF transmitters. The
batteries swell as they are discharged and at full discharge some of the double
foil wrapped batteries will stick in the transmitters and can be difficult to remove.
Not all the batteries are double wrapped but you can make them easy to remove
if you peel the foil off before you insert it in the transmitter. That way you also
know the battery has been used. The swelling is pretty extreme and is easily
visible to the eye. Larry Fisher Lectrosonics larry f@lectrosonics.com
9 VOLT BATTERY LIFETIME IN RF MIKES
Here some practical battery tests: we used the same transmitter, a Lectro UM200
for all the testing. This is a 100 mW UHF belt pack transmitter. This particular
unit pulled 75 mA. We ran four different kinds of batteries to a final voltage of
both 7.0 and 6.6 Volts. 7.0 Volts is where the LED is pretty dim and where two of
our receivers with battery readouts start indicating low battery and 6.6 Volts is the
very low battery indication. The transmitter is getting close to completely dying at
6.6 Volts but will usually run to 6.4 Volts or less. The LED goes out totally at 6.8
Volts. So I'll list the type of battery and then the very dim LED point (7.0 Volts)
and then the maximum use (6.6 Volts).
Ultralife Lithium
Duracell Ultra Alkaline
16.0 hours and 17.2 hours
6.5 hours and 8.25 hours

Eveready Alkaline
4.75 hours and 6.75 hours
Varta NiMh rechargeable 2.5 hours and 2.5 (!) hours
Varta after 2 months of sitting around is the same as above, 2.5 hours.
Here's my conclusions: Assuming that a sound mixer with good common sense
would toss a battery when the LED is very dim (or sooner) and using a standard
alkaline as a reference, you'll get 3 times the life with a lithium, about 40% more
life with an Ultra alkaline and about one half the life with a top quality nickel-metal
hydride (NiMh) battery. ( Though the Varta NiMh claims only 150 mAh, they start
out at more than 180 mAh.) Also, the NiMh batteries don't self discharge as
quickly as NiCad batteries since the battery after sitting for two months was still
at close to full capacity.
Anti-disclaimer section: Most brands of alkaline batteries are nearly the same,
alkalines and lithiums have a long shelf life, and our transmitters are pretty
consistent. In any case, the ratios of battery life should be good numbers. You
guys know what kind of battery life you are getting now, and the ratios should be
informative.
From: Larry Fisher (larryf@op eramail.com )
AA BATTERIES NIMH
Here's the tests on some AA NiMh batteries that have the highest capacities that
I'm aware of. We tested with 3 Ohm loads across the batteries and measured the
time. Eyeballing the graphs, we assumed an average voltage of 1.22 Volts for a
407 mA current drain. The 1.22 Volts was a good average since NiMh fall from
1.35 Volts pretty quickly, hang around 1.25 Volts for some time drooping towards
1.2Volts and then fall quickly to .9 Volts where we shut down the test and took
our times.
Under optimum charging and full discharges, the iPwr batteries averaged 4.85
hours for a capacity of 1900 mAh, slightly under the claimed minimum of 2050
mAh or 93% of claimed value. This could be different test protocols, etc.
The Eveready batteries also averaged 4.85 hours for the same 1900 mAh versus
a claimed 1800 mAh. The Eveready did take one more cycle to reach the best
numbers. May be a difference in the age of the batteries.
Without going into real details,
1. The batteries increased in capacity after a full charge discharge cycle or two
and the batteries might do slightly better after a few more cycles but it would be
small.
2. Trickle charging or fast charging plus a trickle charge cycle produced about
10% more capacity than taking a battery directly out of a fast charger while still
warm.

We used a Maha fast charger C-204F for the fast charging and fast charging plus
trickle. http://www.mahaenergy.com/products/PowerEx/Digicams/batteries.htm
We used the Eveready trickle charger for trickle only. It shuts of after a 15 hour
timed charge cycle. You can find the Eveready at Walmart and other places.
They look like a good deal. The Maha chargers also have a good reputation on
the web.
Today (2003) Rayovac AA may be the fastest charging:
h ttp://www.rayovac.com/busoem/oem/index.shtml Larry Fisher, Lectrosonics
At WSV we use the Lenmar AA batteries with their 1 hour chargers just because
they are easy to get at Fry’s and they are dirt cheap.
APC Uninterruptible Power Supply also make real sinewave UPS with $25,000
lifetime equipment warranty. (the warrantee is the most valuable thing in the film
bizz, you know how often you get shitty power) some are rackmount
http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=PS250
this one is not sine wave, totally configurable with several alarm configuration.
Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), Building wiring fault indicator, Hot Swap
Batteries, Intelligent Battery Management, Overload Indicator, Rack Mount,
Replace Batt Indicator, Software, User Replaceable batteries, Wide input voltage
range. Excellent tech help including automated notification of lightning strikes in
your area. Sine wave inverters are called SMART UPS
http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=165
750 VA at $ 450
http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA750R
M1U&language=en&LOCAL.APCCountryCode=US
Here is the warranty:
http://www.apcc.com/support/service/equipment_protection_policy.cfm Great
run time chart
http://www.apcc.com/products/runtime_by_family.cfm?upsfamily=165 and they
have excellent white papers to study. Call to ask for recharge times, excellent
telephone service.
Exeltech http://www.exeltech.com/ sine wave inverters some for military
Battery sales on web: http://www.advanced-battery.com/ have
many unusual configurations incl. Lithium and NiMH AA and
chargers, specialize in custom construction. (800) 634-8132
Advanced Battery Systems, Inc., 310 Tosca Drive, Stoughton, MA
02072, (781) 297-3894
Lenmar Batteries and holder for Lithiums and DV
and anything else imaginable for consumer gadgets:
http://www.lenmar. com/plate_request.asp

Sol ar chargers, large variety in ready to use configurations:
http://www.solardyne.com/solarpvpanels.html
LEAD ACID SYSTEMS:
Astron makes solid industrial power supplies (with fans) good for floating
batteries that supply up to 20A and 12V DC to 110V AC inverters we use and sell
for 20 years
http://www.astroncorp.com/
http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls.htm make high wattage up to 75
A 12V power supplies good for floating batteries that supply heavy
current. Small fan
Xenotronix in Florida now make good industrial chargers no fans, no power
supplies. We use and sell these for 20 years, Chargers more so than electronics
that don’t ge t hot as all hell need to be checked annually for proper operation or
you ruin many batteries.
http://www.
xenotronix.com/products/leadacid/leadacid.htm
Lead Acid Battery source Advanced Battery Systems, 1639 11th Street
Suite 102, Santa Monica, Ca 90404 , Phone: 310-450-1630, Toll Free 800-
464-4796 some Panasonic some Optima
http://www.absbattery.com/optimamainpg.htm and mafct.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/ the best but start at 55Ahr – 40 pounds. Pep
Boys 4520 South Sepulveda Blvd Culver City, CA 90230
How to regulate and control voltages and build power supply:
h ttp://www.zen22142.zen.co.uk/ DC-DC Meanwell power supply:
http://computronics.com.au/meanwell/scw/
this is from my book:

Sound for 24P
270 page Bound book, many flow diagrams and pix © Wolf Seeberg new 9 th edition Feb. 2004
A hands-on manual written by a Hollywood sound recordist for on set personnel and producers.
The argument the book makes is for double system sound even with the new video cameras.
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procedures for 23.97 and includes: flow diagrams of signal distribution; afterburners; audio
delays, requirements for video assist; internet sources; latest shortcuts to bring down post
production costs and maintain highest quality, secret menu functions and useful additions to
manufacturers manuals. Manufacturers manuals are reproduced, corrected and annotated.
Links to the web abound. This book gives guidelines for producers to sort out inevitable
squabbles. If you work in film/video sound with the new 24P video cameras, then this is a musthave
reference book. There is more in this book than any one person will ever know. Latest
details for the Sony HDW-F900 and the HDWF-500 deck, Panasonic AJ-HDC27V, Viper, and
Panasonic DV cam AG-DVX100.
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Order it on the web:
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SYNC SOUND
280 page Bound book, many photos, new 8 th edition © Wolf Seeberg 2004
A hands-on manual written by a Hollywood veteran sound recordist for location sound mixers and
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speeds of 60.05, 60, 59.94, 30, 29.97, 25, 24.02, 24, 32, 42.336, 44.056, 44.1, 44.144, 45.937,
46.0801, 47.952, 48, 48.048, 50. All of the new and legacy machines are covered: HHB PDR
1000TC MS, Fostex PD-2, PD-4, PD-6, DEVA II, Sony D-8, Sonosax, Nagra IV-ST, Nagra TC
conversions, Sony 7030, DA-88-98, and Aatons Origin C, Denecke and Ambient Products.
Unique capabilities and bugs, detailed technical instructions and unpublished menus and
warnings are featured. Video and computer screen synchronizing with film cameras at 24, 25,
29.97 and 30 fr/s, video sync boxes for 24 frame monitors are explained. Sources on the Internet
are provided. This is a "how to do it" manual with an easy-to-grasp explanation of underlying
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you are a producer and want to prevent wasting big bucks in post, make your staff read this!
List Price still $36.00
Excerpts from both books: http://syncsound.trewaudio.com
Available from:
Location Sound Corporation (818)980-9891,
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Coffey Sound (323) 876-7525, fax (323) 876-4775
3353 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Hollywood, CA 90068, CoffeySound.com
Trew Audio Inc. (800) 241-8994 or (615)256-3542,
240 Great Circle Road, Ste. 339, Nashville, TN 37228-1707, trewaudio.com
Fletcher Chicago (312) 932-2700 Fax: (312) 932-2799,
1000 N. North Branch Chicago, IL 60622, fletch.com
Gotham Sound & Communications, Inc. (212) 629-9430, fax (212) 629-9436
330 W. 38th St., Ste. 608, New York, NY 10018, gothamsound.com
Southeast Audio Services, (800) 562-8346, (800) 56 AUDIO,
1771 Blount Rd., Ste. 206, Pompano, FL 33069, seaudio.com
03/02/04