Reading mode: Light Dark

DC Power For 40D (astrophotography)

Go to last post
mikeyL

mikeyL

Leading Member
Messages
973
Solutions
1
Reaction score
138
Location
Longmont, US
Ok, so I am getting interested in using my 40D for some astrophotography stuff, and I would like to be able to power the camera externally in the field. I have seen that there is a DC connection adapter, that looks like a battery enclosure with a cable coming out of it. Most references mention that this can be used with a particular battery charger to run the camera off of a wall socket, but that is not my application. I would like to be able to connect to a battery of standard voltage (12v or maybe 6v) or a 12v power source in my car to run the camera for long duration exposures, or for taking many multiple unattended exposures (like for star trails and the like). I can't seem to find any real details on the DC converter (I think it is like a DC400 or some model like that) as far as output voltage range, so I cannot assess what would be involved in buying/building a converter to interface it to a 12v power source. Has anyone done this? Can anyone give me some advice? Are there some other 3rd party solutions out there that would be better, without being too much more expensive?

Thanks bunches,

Mike L.
 
You can get a power inverter that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter, and it will give you 110 V AC current.
mikeyL said:
Ok, so I am getting interested in using my 40D for some
astrophotography stuff, and I would like to be able to power the
camera externally in the field. I have seen that there is a DC
connection adapter, that looks like a battery enclosure with a cable
coming out of it. Most references mention that this can be used with
a particular battery charger to run the camera off of a wall socket,
but that is not my application. I would like to be able to connect to
a battery of standard voltage (12v or maybe 6v) or a 12v power source
in my car to run the camera for long duration exposures, or for
taking many multiple unattended exposures (like for star trails and
the like). I can't seem to find any real details on the DC converter
(I think it is like a DC400 or some model like that) as far as output
voltage range, so I cannot assess what would be involved in
buying/building a converter to interface it to a 12v power source.
Has anyone done this? Can anyone give me some advice? Are there some
other 3rd party solutions out there that would be better, without
being too much more expensive?

Thanks bunches,

Mike L.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the reply. I thought of that, but it not only seems like it ends up more complicated, but more expensive as well. If I am not mistaken, I would have to get the additional adapter to convert the DC400 to run on AC, and then also get a small inverter. I don't know how efficient this would be either. Of course, if I ended up with other small items I wanted to run on AC power for a while it might be a good way to go. I'll have to price out that option and see what it looks like.

Anyone else out there have any suggestions/experience on solving this problem without resorting to conversion to AC first?

Thanks bunches,

ML
 
I don't know if there's a ready made solution but if you don't mind getting your hands dirty by DIY, then I'd get one of these:
http://www.videodirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DR400

Then find a 12DC/DC power converter to 7.8V about 1A power supply. You may find some cellphone chargers that use that voltage and are powerful enough to be used.
mikeyL said:
Ok, so I am getting interested in using my 40D for some
astrophotography stuff, and I would like to be able to power the
camera externally in the field. I have seen that there is a DC
connection adapter, that looks like a battery enclosure with a cable
coming out of it. Most references mention that this can be used with
a particular battery charger to run the camera off of a wall socket,
but that is not my application. I would like to be able to connect to
a battery of standard voltage (12v or maybe 6v) or a 12v power source
in my car to run the camera for long duration exposures, or for
taking many multiple unattended exposures (like for star trails and
the like). I can't seem to find any real details on the DC converter
(I think it is like a DC400 or some model like that) as far as output
voltage range, so I cannot assess what would be involved in
buying/building a converter to interface it to a 12v power source.
Has anyone done this? Can anyone give me some advice? Are there some
other 3rd party solutions out there that would be better, without
being too much more expensive?

Thanks bunches,

Mike L.
Click to expand...
--
Kind regards
Imqqmi



http://www.pbase.com/imqqmi
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top