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DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

Started Feb 9, 2020 | Discussions
Arnstein Bjone
Arnstein Bjone Forum Member • Posts: 91
DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

The camera doesn't react at all.

All info om image, but here are in text too:

- The AC adapter (from my "adapterstock") has the correct numbers (5.0 v DC out, max 3.8 A) Ideally it should have been 4 A...

- I measure output to 5.25 v unlaoded. I assume it will drop to ca 5.0 v when loaded with up to 3.8 A)

- Polarity correct

Well, that's it... All according to demands...but no reaction from camera (Canon EOS 5Ds R)

 Arnstein Bjone's gear list:Arnstein Bjone's gear list
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petrochemist Veteran Member • Posts: 3,619
Re: DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

Arnstein Bjone wrote:

DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

The camera doesn't react at all.

All info om image, but here are in text too:

- The AC adapter (from my "adapterstock") has the correct numbers (5.0 v DC out, max 3.8 A) Ideally it should have been 4 A...

- I measure output to 5.25 v unlaoded. I assume it will drop to ca 5.0 v when loaded with up to 3.8 A)

- Polarity correct

Well, that's it... All according to demands...but no reaction from camera (Canon EOS 5Ds R)

If you need 4A less than that won't do, you are better of using a power supply that has considerable excess capability I'd look at 6A models for a 4A requirement.

In addition I'd definitely want a regulated power supply that gives the correct voltage regardless of loading.

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Arnstein Bjone
OP Arnstein Bjone Forum Member • Posts: 91
Re: DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

You are correct. The information in the Ebay ad is at best misleading. I see that many sell a complete kit, and they have 8V/3A output .

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ProfHankD
ProfHankD Veteran Member • Posts: 9,147
Mostly, voltage

Arnstein Bjone wrote:

DC-coupler; Can you spot what is wrong here?

Well, most battery-replacement power supplies require rather specific voltages that are usually around 7.2V, so 5V USB power would need to go through a DC-to-DC converter (which is built-into some devices, but you'd need even more amps supplied at 5V).

The camera doesn't react at all.

Undervoltage by more than about 0.5V usually gets no response. Worst case, it could fry things by drawing more current....  A little higher voltage is usually ok, because in most cameras it gets regulated down.

All info om image, but here are in text too:

- The AC adapter (from my "adapterstock") has the correct numbers (5.0 v DC out, max 3.8 A) Ideally it should have been 4 A...

Most cameras don't need 4A, it's usually less than 2A, but it depends on the model and what the camera is doing. Not good to be underpowered -- it can mess-up things like writes to flash memory, including the camera built-in flash memory.

- I measure output to 5.25 v unlaoded. I assume it will drop to ca 5.0 v when loaded with up to 3.8 A)

- Polarity correct

Well, that's it... All according to demands...but no reaction from camera (Canon EOS 5Ds R)

Not surprising. I see 3rd-party units listing DC8V @ 3A for the 5DS R.

You also should be aware that some cameras have smart power supplies that can report ID strings, battery temp, etc. to the camera. For example, many early Sony NP-FW50 clones didn't work after camera firmware updates because Sony started having the cameras check battery ID strings. Most 3rd-party batteries and AC adapters are now good at pretending to be the real thing, but it's very easy for a camera firmware update to make the camera detect a "fake" supply and deliberately shut down. On Sonys, it typically gives an "invalid battery" display... which is cute, because the battery was obviously valid enough to power the processor and light the display.

I don't think Canon does anything fancy in their batteries. At least some do have a third lead that is an analog battery sensor output on their batteries -- which is a neat feature in that under CHDK in PowerShots you can actually program the camera to use that line as an analog input for whatever purpose you want. Anyway, I don't know how smart Canon's higher-end batteries are now, and I'm sure they'll be getting smarter....

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Arnstein Bjone
OP Arnstein Bjone Forum Member • Posts: 91
Re: Mostly, voltage

Thank you. Lots of useful info there.

My 5Ds R display a (warranty)warning every time i put in my non-original batteries (Duracell), but let me continue.

I have ordered a "3.8V-37V 5A/60W AC/DC Adapter Netzadapter Steckdose Adapter Motordrehzahlregler ".

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ProfHankD
ProfHankD Veteran Member • Posts: 9,147
Re: Mostly, voltage

Arnstein Bjone wrote:

Thank you. Lots of useful info there.

My 5Ds R display a (warranty)warning every time i put in my non-original batteries (Duracell), but let me continue.

I have ordered a "3.8V-37V 5A/60W AC/DC Adapter Netzadapter Steckdose Adapter Motordrehzahlregler ".

Interesting device for the price.... BTW, DO NOT RUN 37V INTO YOUR CAMERA! I think the 5DS R is nominally 7.4V, and 8V is probably fine, but I wouldn't expect good things to happen going much above that. In other words: be careful!

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Arnstein Bjone
OP Arnstein Bjone Forum Member • Posts: 91
Re: Mostly, voltage

Thanks for the warning. I was going to start up carefully, and step it up slowly, and monitor the output voltage continuously. And then glue the potmeter in place (or "lock it" in some way)

 Arnstein Bjone's gear list:Arnstein Bjone's gear list
Canon EOS 5DS R Canon EOS 90D Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM Canon EF 11-24mm F4L +25 more
ProfHankD
ProfHankD Veteran Member • Posts: 9,147
Re: Mostly, voltage

Arnstein Bjone wrote:

Thanks for the warning. I was going to start up carefully, and step it up slowly, and monitor the output voltage continuously. And then glue the potmeter in place (or "lock it" in some way)

I think I'd measure it and start at around 7V.

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Canon PowerShot SX530 Olympus TG-860 Sony a7R II Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Sony a6500 +32 more
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