Extending the AC Power Adapter cable on a Sony DV camera to 10m

[stephenc]

I'm streaming using a Sony DV Handycam DCR-SC100E and using a 10m firewire cable

Unfortunately the power cable from the AC Power Adapter is only around 3m and the Adapter is draging the floor. Can anyone please confirm if this cable can be extended to match the 10m firewire without losing power / etc and perhaps also suggest the best way to do it

Thanks, Stephen

[JohnnyMalaria]

You could extend it if you can find the right kind of cable.

But why not just use a trailing 13 amp socket?

[stephenc]

You could extend it if you can find the right kind of cable.

But why not just use a trailing 13 amp socket?

Thanks John, I can't use a trailing socket because the DC output 8.4v 1.8Amp AC power adapter goes midway between the plug and the connector to the cable so even if I did extend the mains cable, it would still only have 3m Dc output cable

The problem is also that I don't know what type of cable the DC cable is; ie is there a quality rating / shielded / etc. I know I'd have to cut and join a new piece in but I'm frightened to do so without advice in case I can't use it again

Stephen

[oldandinthe way]

Its unlikely your method of use (AC) was important in SONY's design. I wouldn't splice the DC cable - the existing cable stock may be adequate for only 3m without power loss, and you would need to re-engineer the adaptor to find the appropriate cable which would maintain the power requirements. You could create problems with your camera if the power drops below its tolerances.

You could try to find an aftermarket adaptor with a longer cable but I doubt you will succeed.

Battery operation is what SONY designed for.

[minko]

A 30Ft. Extension Cord and tie-wrapping the DC Cable to a reasonable length seems way to simple of a solution so, there must be another reason why you don't want to co-locate the power adapter with the video camera.

Option #1 - Fabricate a covert enclosure for the power adapter. Just don't hide it in anything fluffy or pretty - Chicks will always pick up a fluffy-looking stuffed animal or anything pretty. I'd suggest a hollowed-out encyclopedia (American for encyclopaedia) with a vent for heat to escape, placed next to your covertly installed camcorder.

Option #2 - Splice your DC cable (at the 1.5 Meter point) using speaker-wire and powered by a variable/regulated DC power supply located whereever your Firewire plugs into. Buy some Molex Plug and Socket Housing with Pins and Sockets and install them at the splice mark so you can reconnect them later in a "like new" configuration. Adjust the power supply supply for the proper voltage at the connector.

[JohnnyMalaria]

A 30Ft. Extension Cord and tie-wrapping the DC Cable to a reasonable length seems way to simple of a solution so, there must be another reason why you don't want to co-locate the power adapter with the video camera.

I think the concern here is that, in the UK, extension cords are much, much chunkier than in the US. (Frankly, the US electrical system scares the crap out of me, but that's another story).

[stephenc]

Thanks guys, the problem here is that the power adapter is big, heavy and bulky and I dont want it either hanging from the ceiling or trailing the floor.

My other concern is that to splice the power cable might affect the voltage to the camera. I'm already pushing the boundaries using a 10m firewire cable and I'm frightened that the picture may degrade

Stephen

[ozymango]

On a 10 meter power cable I don't think you're gonna lose enough current to worry about, I've spliced more than my share of power cables (camcorders, laptops, various DC devices) and you can pretty much just splice a length of wire in there and you're done, as others have mentioned.

But you one gauge heavier wire than what you've got already, at least. I'm guessing your power cord is some kind of coax but you don't need to use coax, just plain zip wire or lamp cord will work. When you cut the wire, take a look at the thickness of the strands and splice wire that's a little bit thicker (the copper wire part, not the plastic jacket part) than the original wire and you're done.

Or make your own power supply as mentioned -- you just need a DC supply that'll match the voltage and at least the same amperage, and that'd be the best choice (as you can make it look all cool and custom made, not like you spliced your power supply with zip wire).

[edDV]

I'm still struggling with 10M firewire w/o repeater but found this link.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/ieee1394_cables.html

As for power, extend the AC, not the DC. 230VAC connectors might be large but the cables can be thinner (less copper). The camcorder will have a small current draw anyway.
http://www.quail.com/catPage.cfm?start=4&page_no=2&catID=8

RE: JohnnyMalaria,
230VAC scares me more than 115VAC and I've been shocked by both!

[JohnnyMalaria]

RE: JohnnyMalaria,
230VAC scares me more than 115VAC and I've been shocked by both!

Volts jolt, current kills!

[edDV]

RE: JohnnyMalaria,
230VAC scares me more than 115VAC and I've been shocked by both!

Volts jolt, current kills!

Avoid looking like a ground in either case.

[ozymango]

Avoid looking like a ground in either case.

And make sure whatever you're working on is unplugged while you're doing all this! I know this sorta goes without saying but I've known a few guys in my time ...

[stephenc]

Thanks to everyone for these ideas. I think its worth having a go at splicing the cable and feel a bit more confident about it not

Thanks again, Stephen

[psx_pirate]

RE: JohnnyMalaria,
230VAC scares me more than 115VAC and I've been shocked by both!

Volts jolt, current kills!

And AC thows you off .... DC makes you stick

Volts hurt too especially 1500 (yes thats 15 hundred) .. i know after receiving a 1500 volt shock from a radio frequency amplifier (part of a transmitter system) and it was DC so i wasn't thrown clear .... had to wait for someone to cut the power before it would release me ... luckily my rubber shoes saved me from a fatal injury but i can tell you it f**king hurt like hell.

[SingSing]

Did Sony sells a battery power pack for this cam ? Is the DC connector a common one that you can make a battery pack easily ?

[stephenc]

Yea, Sony made a battery pack also. I should have said earlier that the power adapter is also the battery charger. The battery slides onto the adapter and can be charged at the same time as it is supplying power to the camera

[edDV]

I still say using a longer AC power strip beats destroying the charger/power supply.

[ozymango]

I still say using a longer AC power strip beats destroying the charger/power supply.

I say buy two power supplies -- one you leave alone, and one you modify.

I agree that either way can work fine (though I don't think that cutting the output wire is going to "destroy" any power supply), but -- no offense -- it's a lot easier to hurt yourself and others when running longer 110v power cords than running 12v power cords. As you and others have noted about getting shocked, it ain't fun, and being I'm assuming you were taking precautions to avoid being injured and you still got some hi-voltage going through your system, imagine what happens to people who are less familiar with the dangers.

I say destroying a power supply beats a trip to emergency room or morgue.

EDIT: Oh, he's in the UK, which means running a 220v extension cord. No thanks.

[oldandinthe way]

I say use the battery. Its safer. If you need more shooting time buy an extra battery.

[Richard_G]

Don't cut and extend the DC side of things. Ohms Law comes into play and any volt drop in the additional cable will be much greater at the lower voltage. I sometimes need to run cameras a long way from the nearest power point and I do it in two ways. On one I run a long mains (240V) extension lead, taping it to the floor with gaffer tape so nobody can trip over it. Plug the camcorder power supply into that and then tie wrap the mains socket and power supply together and attach that to the bottom of the tripod. No strain on the cables or connectors and everything is kept neatly out of the way.

If my second camcorder is also too far away from a mains supply, I run it off batteries. I have 4 high capacity batteries, each will run a camcorder for over 3 hours. That gives me up to 12 hours without recharging but I can be charging one battery while using the others so will never actually run out of power.

[ozymango]

I say use the battery. Its safer. If you need more shooting time buy an extra battery.

And plan on the first battery crapping out on you right during the best part of the show. :P

[ozymango]

On one I run a long mains (240V) extension lead, taping it to the floor with gaffer tape so nobody can trip over it. Plug the camcorder power supply into that and then tie wrap the mains socket and power supply together and attach that to the bottom of the tripod. No strain on the cables or connectors and everything is kept neatly out of the way.

If my second camcorder is also too far away from a mains supply, I run it off batteries.

Yeah, a lot depends on where the camera is in relation to:

1) Power sources
2) People running around
3) Whatever it is you're videotaping in the first place
4) How "permanent" your setup is

Like, if you're mounting a camera in a location where it's gonna live for a couple of hours versus days, weeks, whatever, that affects your power choices. If it's up in some scaffolding where swapping batteries is impractical, you may need to run longer power cables (AC or DC).

And -- very important -- if there are people in the scenery at all, and they have the chance to knock something over or pull a wire loose, they will knock something over or pull a wire loose, so it's always good to plan for that.

[edDV]

Don't cut and extend the DC side of things. Ohms Law comes into play and any volt drop in the additional cable will be much greater at the lower voltage. I sometimes need to run cameras a long way from the nearest power point and I do it in two ways. On one I run a long mains (240V) extension lead, taping it to the floor with gaffer tape so nobody can trip over it. Plug the camcorder power supply into that and then tie wrap the mains socket and power supply together and attach that to the bottom of the tripod. No strain on the cables or connectors and everything is kept neatly out of the way.

If my second camcorder is also too far away from a mains supply, I run it off batteries. I have 4 high capacity batteries, each will run a camcorder for over 3 hours. That gives me up to 12 hours without recharging but I can be charging one battery while using the others so will never actually run out of power.

Exactly what I do. I've had to run AC power over 200Ft. No problem even outdoors but I do use a GFI outdoors. Most times you have a need to run additional equipment at the camera position anyway be it lights, audio pickup, a monitor or something else. AC bits and pieces are always available for rent or cheap at the Home Depot type stores.

As for safety, tape everything down, use rubber mats over pedestrian traffic aisles and power everything from one circuit breaker to avoid ground loops. The greatest safety problem IMO is securing the tripod and/or any lights from tip over. Rope off the camera position to keep people from tripping on your cables or tripod. Also, avoid touching metal near the camera.

As for battery power, get the car power (12VDC) adapter cable for the camcorder. Many 12vdc rechargable battery packs are available that will work well for a tripod mounted camcorder.