Mobile energy storage

[Robotti]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody has experience with larger mobile energy storage systems or big batteries for on-location work. I came across this: http://www.polaroidenergystorage.com/en/polaroid-ps600/ and its siblings. To me it seems like a solid, high quality package, but I'd like to hear your opinions and of course first-hand experiences if there are any. Mainly it would recharge camera, gimbal and accessory batteries and power the lights.

One of my concerns is safety with such a high concentration of energy. Also, when I'm doing photo work, I'd like to use my studio flashes with something like this. But I have no idea whether it's possible due to a very high amount of power they require after the flash. Most small generators cannot handle it, but maybe a battery can?

 

[joema2]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody has experience with larger mobile energy storage systems or big batteries for on-location work. I came across this: http://www.polaroidenergystorage.com/en/polaroid-ps600/ and its siblings. To me it seems like a solid, high quality package, but I'd like to hear your opinions and of course first-hand experiences if there are any. Mainly it would recharge camera, gimbal and accessory batteries and power the lights.

One of my concerns is safety with such a high concentration of energy. Also, when I'm doing photo work, I'd like to use my studio flashes with something like this. But I have no idea whether it's possible due to a very high amount of power they require after the flash. Most small generators cannot handle it, but maybe a battery can?

My documentary video crew deals with this frequently. We currently use a set of Stark Lithium-ion deep cycle batteries, separate 12v 20 amp Li-ion charger, and various true-sine-wave inverters. We keep them in a field-mobile carrying case. https://starkpower.com/deep-cycle-batteries

For mobile devices and the 2016 and later MacBook Pros (USB-C charging) we have several of the Anker PowerCore+ 26800PD: http://a.co/2JQKQlb Anker doesn't give a watt hour spec for this but maybe it's about 130 watt-hr.

However the Polaroid PS600 appears roughly equal to one of our 50 amp-hr batteries, plus it has a built-in 300W inverter and various outlets. They don't give a spec on the inverter, so I don't know if that's 300W continuous or 150W continuous, 300W peak. We might get one of those to try it out. The Polaroid PDB 300 is over double the capacity of the Anker unit: http://a.co/6TzU1Th

 

[Robotti]

Thanks.
According to the manual, the Polaroid unit is 300 W continuous, 500 W peak.
I've read that my Elinchrom RX4's take up to 1400 W each, so no chance using them, though.

 

[joema2]

Thanks.
According to the manual, the Polaroid unit is 300 W continuous, 500 W peak.
I've read that my Elinchrom RX4's take up to 1400 W each, so no chance using them, though.

This Jackery unit has a matching solar panel and is almost identical to the Polaroid: http://a.co/9PoOxG4

Re your Elinchroms, as a video producer I only use continuous lighting so I'm not familiar with strobe power supplies. I know Elinchrom makes some expensive portable power packs. You may be looking for a field solution that's cheaper. I see the RX4 pulls 160 watts when recycling, so in theory the Polaroid or Jackery unit might supply a single RX4 or if you're fortunate, two of them. You'd likely be losing efficiency due to DC/AC/DC conversion, whereas the Elinchrom pack is probably DC-to-DC.

 

[Boyd01]

I got a GoalZero Yeti 400 a couple months ago and it's very nice, although I haven't really put it to much use yet. They make a wide range of portable power supplies and solar panels: http://www.goalzero.com/power-packs

 

[Robotti]

What`s your take on safety? Ever heard of anyone having problems with these batteries?

 

[Boyd01]

I've had several similar devices over the years. One was a pretty big unit from Xantrex, another was a small one from (I think) Duracell and the other was a combination jump starter and inverter from Husky. Never any safety issues with any of them, however after a several years the batteries died.