Using a dummy battery in a EOS 70D

[Summersond]

My question is this:  I am getting a dummy battery to plug into the camera so I can use an external larger battery source.  I want to also use an ac adaptor to feed 7.5v to the camera but don't know how much current the camera draws.  I need to know so I can get a large enough adaptor to supply the camera.  Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

[ezpop]

Camera hacker Chris Winter used a XTP power 10000mAH on his canon dslr. (of course with a dummy battery)

You may check it out from the youtube channel. The battery is available on Amazon fo only $50 (after $30 off)

Also, I find this one from the Ebay, which is a bit cheaper but seems to have the same spec.

AC adapter  AC E-6 (8V 3A)can be have for less than $13 on the ebay. (plus shipping)

[Summersond]

Thank you very much!  I will check them out.

[TCampbell · Accepted solution]

Canon makes an accessory called the "AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6" -- which does exactlyl what you want (slipts into the battery compartment but allows the camera to run on AC power.)

Although the Canon site lists this as a $180 accessory, all major stores seem to sell it for $120 (still not cheap.)

There are LOTS of knock-offs (many of which are $25 or less) but READ REVIEWS because I found the number of negative reviews to be extremely high with many claiming that they either didn't work at all, worked only for a few minutes, or were very flakey (camera would lose power in mid session.)  

As such, I'm not sure I'd want to roll the dice on a knock-off.

I have a 60Da (a special version of the 60D produced by Canon specifically for astrophotography) and astrophotography tends to eat through batteries very quickly due to the extremely long exposure times involved.  As such, Canon includes the ACK-E6 with the camera (so I own one but I didn't have to buy it seperately).  The ACK-E6 does work extremely well. 

[Summersond]

I ended up ordering this one.  It is not Canon, it it has a 3 amp output like the Canon and unlike the other knock off's that have only 2 amp.  We'll see how it performs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171620396051?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks!

[ezpop]

It seems pretty neat and with 3 years warranty at least.

Please report back.

[Skirball]

Yeah, let us know how it works out, please.  I'd probably pick one up at that price.

These accessory electronics are always a pain in the ass.  The name brand manufacturers gouge you on the price.  And they're such low volume that usually the only alternatives are the super cheap Chinese knockoffs; which are a complete crap shoot.  Finding a decent third party option, from a company with actual quality control is always a journey.

[Summersond]

I will report back when it comes in later this week (Friday or Sat I Think).  I will plug in and let the camera run for several hours and see how warm the PS gets.

[ezpop]

Watch out : the cameras sensor was not designed for extended video usage.

The sensor will overheat after about 10 mins of straight video which will incur severe grainy artifacts in the video.

I quoted the above from the following link :

http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?192601-Sensor-overheating-while-shooting-video

[ezpop]

Heating may be caused by battery. I heard that with a battery grip or external battery pack, thing may improve. With a dummy battery, I am not sure.

But you have to be careful with the temperature issue which may cause severe consequence to your camera.