INTRODUCTION TO LI-ION CHEMISTRY AS A BROADCAST BATTERY
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Li-ion is the most significant development in rechargeable battery technology in recent years. The voltage of a li-ion cell is a nominal 3.6-3.7 volt. This is 3 times that of NiCd or NiMH cells. While nickel chemistry requires 12 cells in series to attain the 14+ volts appropriate to power a "broadcast" camera, the Li-ion needs only 4 cells to reach 14.8 volts. So many fewer cells means drastically reduced weight.
Li-ion chemistry has a much higher power density per unit volume; therefore, it can operate a camera much, much, longer than nickel chemistry. It’s like having aA bigger gas tank.
Li-ion has a very low self-discharge rate, which, when coupled with the larger gas tank means there is a drastically reduced need for DAILY charge routines. Nickel cells require topoff's and regular everyday charge cycles. Therefore, it is a numerical certainty that nickel will reach the 500 cycle barrier much sooner. This means that Li-ion has a longer cycle life as well.
It’s like getting two batteries for the price of one…and saving over 40% at the same time!
Newer recording formats such as Digital-S /SX and High Definition require twice as much power as previous formats. Today’s cameras draw 45+ watts* per hour compared to 20+ watts per hour needed for DVCPRO and SP-Beta (does not include lighting). This has only exaggerated the longtime problem of increasing battery power without increasing battery weight. Newer Lithium-lon batteries were able to accomplish this, but were extremely expensive and required purchasing new chargers. We’ve changed all that!
EX: The Viper V160L from Synergistic Batteries Inc. provides an incredible 160+ watt hours of available power (11.0 Amp Hours), and weighs less than 2 ½ pounds. Supply us with your logo, and the back of your camera will promote your company, not a battery manufacturer. The Viper 160 has run a Panasonic P2 camera from “The Morning Show” to “The 11 o’clock News” with power to spare! But don’t take our word for it, try it yourself.