Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion  (Read 14526 times)

andynetter

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 6
£50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« on: August 22, 2011, 11:47:13 AM »

Hi everyone. I live in the UK and have recently purchased the Ninja Pan/Tilt head from an eBay member in America. I purchased it not for home automation or security, but to use on a tripod to smoothly film pan and tilt shots of churches, castles and other venues during weddings, as I am a professional wedding videographer. The Ninja is not strong enough to support a pro or even mid-size camcorder, but it does work nicely with my Sony NEX-3 which shoots 720p video. The only problem is that I need to be able to use this outside, with no mains electricity. So, firstly I purchased one of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/200w-portable-power-pack-225153

which I can charge up at home and then take with me on a shoot as a portable power source.

I then purchased a 12v cigarette socket power adapter that came complete with a 3.5mm jack plug

http://www.capitalstores.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=B034BA&x=0&y=0

to take power from the power pack above, and connect to the Ninja. That didn't work - the Ninja would not operate. So, I got my Dad, who is better at these things than me, and he tested the jack plug on the Ninja power supply, and he told me that despite it saying 12v output it was actually drawing 26v, which he didn't think made sense.

Anyway, based on that information, I purchased a 24 volt power supply, again equipped with a 3.5 jack plug

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ac-dc-fixed-voltage-switched-mode-power-supplies-48484 (use the scroll box to select the L50BL)

plugged it into my wall socket at home, connected it to the Ninja, switched it on at the wall and the power supply blew - there was a loud crack / pop and some smoke from the power supply.

Luckily the Ninja survived unscathed, and still works.

So, basically, I just want to be able to use the Ninja with either a UK 3 pin mains plug, or a cigarette socket, so that I can run it off my portable power pack (http://www.maplin.co.uk/200w-portable-power-pack-225153) but it has got me stumped. So, I am prepared to pay someone who knows what they are doing to convert this from a US to a UK powered unit, somehow. Please can anyone help? Payment will be made if either somebody makes and sends a suitable cable to me, or sends me step-by-step, idiot-proof instructions on what to buy and how to do it.

Many thanks in advance.

Andy
Andy Netter Videography
« Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 11:51:04 AM by andynetter »
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13256
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2011, 12:37:53 PM »

It is a 12 volt power supply for the Ninja. It is not a regulated power supply and if you measured it without the Ninja using power. It could easily measure 26 volts.

Take a good look at the Ninja power supply. Notice it has TWO power connections on the DC connector side. Like a 3.5mm Stereo Connector. The tip is constant 12 volts, the center ring is switched 12 volts so you can turn it On and Off to pick which one is working. With a multiple camera setup.
The shell is the common return.  It looks like the connector you used was a standard power connector and didn't have the added ring to supply power to the Ninja.

What you have to do is connect both the tip and ring connector to the +12 volts and the common shell to the common -12 volts.
Probably a 3.5mm stereo type connector.

Here is the description of the 120 volt version we use. The DC side should be the same.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/XM14A
« Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 01:31:42 PM by Brian H »
Logged

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2011, 03:10:03 PM »

Why didn't you buy one of the European versions?

Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

andynetter

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 6
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2011, 10:44:33 AM »

Hi Brian. Thanks for the advice. I think I follow. Question - when you say this : "What you have to do is connect both the tip and ring connector to the +12 volts and the common shell to the common -12 volts" do you mean that I can use my 12v cigarette socket adapter to do that?
Logged

andynetter

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 6
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2011, 10:48:28 AM »

Hi dhouston. I didn't realise there was a European X10 site, but in any case the link for the 'Robocam' is dead  :(   Prices in the UK for anything electronic are ridiculous anyway so would probably cost a lot more than I would like to pay, even if I can find a local version. Hence why I am looking to the good old USA for this!  Thanks anyway for the suggestion.
Logged

andynetter

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 6
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13256
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2011, 02:56:34 PM »

Yes you can use the cigarette socket adapter, but you would have to cut the multiple connector end off and wire a 3.5mm stereo plug in its place. Wiring the +12 volts to both the tip and ring solder lug and the -12 volts to the shield solder lug.
Logged

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2011, 04:25:44 PM »

Hi dhouston. I didn't realise there was a European X10 site, but in any case the link for the 'Robocam' is dead  :(   Prices in the UK for anything electronic are ridiculous anyway so would probably cost a lot more than I would like to pay, even if I can find a local version. Hence why I am looking to the good old USA for this!  Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

I see...
versus...
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

andynetter

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 6
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2011, 05:07:24 PM »

Precisely!  :)
Logged

andynetter

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 6
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2011, 05:12:05 PM »

I am gonna give the little step-down transformer from Amazon a go. I do have a transformer to use US gear in the UK, as I get a lot of lighting equipment etc from the States (again, cos of the massive cost difference) but it's absolutely huge, whereas this little one from Amazon is small enough to be portable. It's due tomorrow, so will report back as to whether it works as helpful as Brian's advice has been, as me and solder don't have a good history together!
Logged

GabrielWenzs

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 1
Re: £50 GBP or $85 USD for Ninja Pan/Tilt US to UK conversion
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2014, 08:05:51 AM »

Hi everyone. I live in the UK and have recently purchased the Ninja Pan/Tilt head from an eBay member in America. I purchased it not for home automation or security, but to use on a tripod to smoothly film pan and tilt shots of churches, castles and other venues during weddings, as I am a professional wedding videographer. The Ninja is not strong enough to support a pro or even mid-size camcorder, but it does work nicely with my Sony NEX-3 which shoots 720p video. The only problem is that I need to be able to use this outside, with no mains electricity. So, firstly I purchased one of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/200w-portable-power-pack-225153

which I can charge up at home and then take with me on a shoot as a portable power source.

I then purchased  12v
e cigarettes socket power adapter that came complete with a 3.5mm jack plug

http://www.capitalstores.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=B034BA&x=0&y=0

to take power from the power pack above, and connect to the Ninja. That didn't work - the Ninja would not operate. So, I got my Dad, who is better at these things than me, and he tested the jack plug on the Ninja power supply, and he told me that despite it saying 12v output it was actually drawing 26v, which he didn't think made sense.

Anyway, based on that information, I purchased a 24 volt power supply, again equipped with a 3.5 jack plug

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ac-dc-fixed-voltage-switched-mode-power-supplies-48484 (use the scroll box to select the L50BL)

plugged it into my wall socket at home, connected it to the Ninja, switched it on at the wall and the power supply blew - there was a loud crack / pop and some smoke from the power supply.

Luckily the Ninja survived unscathed, and still works.

So, basically, I just want to be able to use the Ninja with either a UK 3 pin mains plug, or a cigarette socket, so that I can run it off my portable power pack (http://www.maplin.co.uk/200w-portable-power-pack-225153) but it has got me stumped. So, I am prepared to pay someone who knows what they are doing to convert this from a US to a UK powered unit, somehow. Please can anyone help? Payment will be made if either somebody makes and sends a suitable cable to me, or sends me step-by-step, idiot-proof instructions on what to buy and how to do it.

Many thanks in advance.

Andy
Andy Netter Videography

Hello friend were you able to complete the conversion? Well I am working on similar sort of project so really need your guidance..Hope you don't mind posting in old post..
« Last Edit: July 22, 2014, 04:10:03 AM by GabrielWenzs »
Logged
 

X10.com | About X10 | X10 Security Systems | Cameras| Package Deals
© Copyright 2014-2016 X10.com All rights reserved.