Powering Zoom F8n & Roland R-26 Field Recorders with NP-F Style Batteries

[@NikCan66]

thanks you very much and was wonderful seeing your backup systems in play

[@thibaultdupierris4441]

Great job, this is the most helpful video I stumbled upon regarding NP-F type batteries and Zoom F recorders. Thank you very much

[@petergroom7112]

Thats an excellent and timely video as Im looking at externally powering my zoom f8n. Thanks so much

[@reqordist]

You're welcome - hope you find a suitable solution!

[@FreshSqueezedLightning]

Great video! I’ve had an R26 for 9 years, this is a great breakdown of what you’ve done

[@reqordist]

Thanks!

[@AllenHiggins]

Excellent research and presentation of your battery solutions and findings. Very informative.

[@reqordist]

Thank you!

[@GusAlZabri]

Oh I have found this video SO useful indeed. Thank you so much …

[@reqordist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SyntheticCompany]

Very useful video, thank you!

[@reqordist]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kiefercampney]

What cable were you using with the Smallrig NPF adapter on the F8n? I just purchased a F8n Pro recently and was looking to set up a similar system.

[@reqordist]

Sorry, Kiefer, it was quite a while ago, and the actual item has fallen off my ebay purchases history. I bought it for use with an unbranded 12V Li-Ion battery pack, which doesn't have a charge indication, so is less useful than this sled. The good news is that there are plenty available - search ebay for 'hirose cable male to DC jack'. The SmallRig adaptor's 12V output is centre pin positive. Connector barrel is 5.5mm outside diameter, inner pin 2.5mm diameter. Note the Smallrig adaptor's 7.4V output is also centre pin positive, and barrel 5.5mm OD but it has a smaller (2mm) pin. HTH!

[@kiefercampney]

@@reqordist Thanks for getting back to me! I'll look into that

[@tariqburney6882]

Amazing video, thanks! I have an additional question about the SmallRig 3018 plate and the NPF Batteries that work with it. Does its 12V output work as a booster? I currently have a ZOOM F4 and got an ANSSO battery plate for my NPF970 batteries which only output 7.2V which is not enough to power the recorder. I'm thinking of getting the smallrig plate but wonder if it would work.

[@reqordist]

Yes it does. The plate has two outputs: one direct from the battery at 7.2V (nominal), and one via a step-up regulator circuit giving 12V.

[@tariqburney6882]

@@reqordist thanks!

[@phtius]

Thank you for the helpful review and measurements. Did you keep the display enabled (if so, full brightness or dimmed?) on the F8n, since some people are pointing out that a significant chunk in the power draw of F8n is due to the power hungry LCD?

[@reqordist]

You're welcome! I normally use power-saving with LEDs and LCD at between 5 and 10 (if in a low-light environment - higher if brighter.) While it may use extra power, I would never leave a recorder recording with no visible display, unless I were going to walk away and leave it completely (which I almost never do.) Even if the recorder is on a stage. I like to be able to see that it's still working from a distance, even if I can't see the finer details.

[@phtius]

@@reqordist Thank you for clarifying it!

[@PaulSaxbyPhotography]

Great advice. I've been looking for external battery solutions for a Zoom F8Pro and this looks like a perfect way to go. Do you have a link for a suitable Hirose cable? Thanks, this has been a great help.

[@reqordist]

Thanks. It's been so long since I bought the cable, I have forgotten, sorry. Just google for "Hirose to Barrel Connector cable" and see if you can find one at a reasonable price!

[@thejaycut1664]

You should use a Hawk-wood: DV-BM1 Can use dual NPF batteries, has a on off switch, power level indicator and you can hotswap. Outputs to two Hirose connectors and a power con. Also has screw fittings so u can mount the batteries if needed without all the DIY mounts

[@reqordist]

Interesting, thanks! They're quite heavily discounted atm.

[@pablovanwetten]

How does anyone in this thread still consider the R26? I have owned one for about 10 years and like it, curious how other people rate it and what your experiences are!

[@HeathcliffBlair]

Great info. Thanks.

[@WhyCallMeLordLord]

BRILLIANT!! Thank you!! I have one for you as well for the F8n, you can grab a portable car starting booster which have about a 21800mah capacity with the barrel plug output. Be aware that they can output 16.8V. However, for my brand new F8n Pro, it can accept a voltage input up to 18V so it works great. PLUS you can start your car and charge other USB items with it if you need to! :) I've had the F6 I've been using for years and LOVE IT and I was missing the ability to use the NPF though on the F8n!

[@reqordist]

Thanks for that suggestion - there's a vast range of sources for Li-Ion battery packs these days! Have only just seen the adverts for the F8n Pro - it looks amazing - you must be very pleased with it. Getting an F8n Pro would be a no-brainer if I didn't have an F8n already!

[@GusAlZabri]

I did that for while.

[@mehdisoundtech5448]

Hi , thank you for your time and video ,, greats ! I looked for lots of solutions to power zoom f8n and one of them is boost 5vto 12 v but it's 1 amp and I think it's low because the minimum is 2 amp, my question is how many amp delivered smallrig 3018 in 12v output ? Thanks you so much ✔️😊

[@reqordist]

Hi, I did not measure the 12V current directly, but: The NP-F battery was supplying 1.2A at maximum load (see 4m12s). So if the battery voltage is approx. 7.4V, and the converter's efficiency were 100%, the 12V output would be supplying (1.2*7.4/12)A = 0.74A to the F8n. As conversion efficiency will inevitably be less than100%, the 12V current drawn by the f8n must be less than that. So that would indicate that a 12V 1A supply should be enough to power the f8n. I know that the supplied AC adaptor is rated at a nominal 12V 2A, but that is probably to ensure that the adaptor never struggles to power the recorder, and stays cool in operation.

[@mehdisoundtech5448]

@@reqordist thank you, small rig with your f8n work probably with f8n do to lol ,in boost power 5v to 12v 1amp I take of the DC 5.5mm and remplace it with hirose 4 pin that way is better than DC 5.5mm ? For my Sound devices 442 work but i don t try it in F8N yet I think is not safe ? What do you think? 😁

[@stephenszklarski5446]

Where did you get the battery plate?

[@reqordist]

Just a random supplier on eBay!