40D Battery Alternative?

[renderwerks]

Does anyone know if there is a remote, high capacity battery pack available for the Canon 40D?

I'm aware of the AC adapter kit (ACK-E2), but would like to know if there is any alternative to an AC kit.

Thanks,

[FarmerDave8N]

Hutech has a DC-DC adapter - the EOS203 - I've never actually seen it, and it's kind of pricey:

http://sciencecenter.net/hutech/canon.htm


Jerry Lodriguss points to some even pricier options on his page:

http://astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/POWER.HTM

HTH,
David

[renderwerks]

Thanks for the response, the Hutech solution looks like what I was thinking of. I am planning on getting one of those "power tanks" and wanted to run both my mount and camera from it.

The other thing I thought of was to hack the DR-400 dummy battery with cord and attach a home made battery pack to it for the camera.

Thanks again, clear skies!

[FarmerDave8N]

The other thing I thought of was to hack the DR-400 dummy battery with cord and attach a home made battery pack to it for the camera.


That's what I plan on doing - eventually - for now, I just use my ACK-E2 with a small inverter off a deep-cycle marine battery. Haven't run short of power yet.

:)

[Nighthound]

I strictly use batteries with my cameras so I can't add much to that but talk about power source brings up some things that might be helpful.

Like Dave I use deep cycle marine batteries and power inverters to power my equipment at the dark sites. To assure consistent current without fluctuation I use a voltage regulator (3 amp) between the inverter(750 amp) and my mount. I don't power anything else from the battery powering the mount, I like to keep it independent.

I use a second marine battery(largest) to power my laptop alone, it's the most power hungry device with my dew heater coming in a close second, depending on how high I have to crank them up and how many dew straps are plugged in on a given night. My choice for my heater was a jump start power pack(yellow unit from WalMart with 2 cigarette plug outlets). These units are known to have a short life but the unit I have now has been powering my scopes for two years and still lasts all night on a moderate heater output setting. I don't know if I'll get another one once this one goes, the marine batteries last at least a few years so they're a very good value. I couldn't see buying a Power Tank or the like since I didn't want to pay for bells and whistles like a light and radio when I really don't need them.

As you can tell I prefer to go out with more power than is probably necessary but I try to do whatever I can to prevent mechanical or power issues since I travel to dark skies and so much effort goes into each night. I even carry along spare mount cables, parts and a hair dryer/extension cord in the event of dew control problems. If I get shut down for the night I'd rather it be because of clouds than my gear.