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This is how I roll.... DIY power system
On another thread, a few people requested that I divulge the highly secret instructions for how to build my power and transport system for shooting on location. These are not exactly step by step instructions... but the cart consists of:  -golf cart - form Sports Authority ($59) http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/ … age=family -ATV front bag from American Trails (around $129) http://www.atvbags.net/ProductInfo.aspx … tid=ATVFRT -300w pure sine wave inverter ($129) http://www.theinverterstore.com/the-inv … 2s-top-rgb -12v sealed lead acid battery from Batteries Plus ($50) http://www.hillersystemsinc.com/zcstore … cts_id=150 -lightweight boom arm (mine was from a used camera shop, but I've seen them at B&H) ($35-70 depending on what you get) You could also pack a lightstand, but I'm using the cart as ballast so it doesn't blow over in the wind. Now then, there is a small amount of fabrication required to complete this cart, and those with tools could do it at home, though it requires cutting and welding. A machine shop or heating/cooling duct-work shop can help you do it as well. The first thing I did was strip the golf cart down - all plastic golf related stuff was removed. Next, there is a bag tray, made out of 1/8 aluminum sheet. This supports the soft American Trails ATV bag. I measured the bottom of the bag, and had a machine shop make what amounted to an over-sized cookie baking pan.  At home, I set the ATV bag onto the pan, to see the position of the straps on the bag, so I could cut away a slot for each of them (6) out of the sides of the pan (for tightening the bag down). Then I got some strips of 1" aluminum (less then 1/8 thick) from a salvage yard (or you could get them at a hardware store). I used a vise to bend short sections into brackets that I could use to mount the bag pan to the cart. (for support so the bag doesn't roll sideways around the cart). I bolted the bag pan right to the cart (1/4 inch bolts), and then bolted the support straps to the cart frame and to the bag pan with fairly small bolt/nuts. Then it's just a matter of using the straps on the bottom of the ATV bag to attach it to the cart. Subsequently, I have had a tent and awning company redo the straps so I can detach the bag easier from the cart cuz it's easier to put in the trunk dissembled. (1980's Jaguars have sucky-ass trucks...) Finally, there is the fabrication of the part that attaches the boom arm. I used a piece of 1.5inch flat bar steel (4 inches long), and then bought a large bolt from a hardware store, cut off the hex head and threads, which left me with just the shaft, which I then welded to the steel bar at an angle, so that the shaft pointed upwards and I can slide the boom arm device over it to use it.  On top of that, you can see that I like to use pocket wizards with mine for movement flexibility. This cart will hold: 2 AB flash units battery inverter with enough space inside for a camera & lens and the side pockets (which come with the bag) are big enough to hold an extra D-SLR, two more lenses, and another big bag for wires, grips, pocket wizards, and any other extra crapola you might need. The only other thing I can think of is that I purposely put the battery in the space closest to the cart handle, cuz they weigh more then anything else, and that helps make pulling the cart easier for balanced weight. This is a shot I took last Saturday, in full sunlight (12p.m.) with zero shade  , using only 1 AB1600 w/ their standard reflector.  The only problem I can see is that I shot it with a Sony A-100, with a maximum sync speed of 125, which is a bit slow for this kind of motion, so there is some blurring of her feet, and an edge-line around her entire body from the motion (because of ambient light blur). I dunno if it's possible that a sync speed of 250+ would have corrected that... or if it's just an inevitability. I hope this helps! May 19 08 12:42 pm Link What a bloody good idea! May 19 08 12:45 pm Link Fantastic, great work and thanks for taking the time to share. May 19 08 12:49 pm Link All you need is a little microwave and you can have a nice hot burrito when you take a break LOL May 19 08 12:50 pm Link Nice...but if there is a Target nearby..same cart for 30 bucks now...also wait til you use another camera with a faster sync...Mine works at 200 and the sky can get darker with my CP filter..sometimes people think...was that shot at sunset? hahah  Like this:  May 19 08 12:52 pm Link Bernie Browder wrote: LOL... and big screen TV with a satellite dish... May 19 08 12:53 pm Link That is so sweet. May 19 08 12:54 pm Link j3_photo wrote: Nice shot! I have a D200 that sync's higher, but alas, I don't like it as well as the Sony, (waits patiently for the Sony flagship later this year). May 19 08 12:57 pm Link Smedley Whiplash wrote: Ah nice...mine is with a 5d..fastest sync is 200 May 19 08 01:01 pm Link Cool idea! But I hope this would be better than the Vagabond. Yours $367 (+s&h) Theirs $299 (+s&h) May 19 08 01:06 pm Link Ingenious...but can be done cheaper as noted above. How fast in the recycle time and what number of flashes per charge? May 19 08 01:09 pm Link Smedley Whiplash wrote: Just wondering how many shots can you do on a fully charged battery??? Thanks. May 19 08 01:16 pm Link How many watts can that handle? May 19 08 01:18 pm Link Frickin Excellent!!! Thanks for sharing! May 19 08 01:20 pm Link Very neat idea! I was looking to do something similar but found another alternative. I borrowed a friends 3000 Watt portable generator (which he bought used for around $200). Used it with 3 AB800s without any problems. It's small and light enough to sit in the trunk and surprisingly, not too loud. May 19 08 01:25 pm Link McGyver, eat yer heart out. Delightfully ingenious. Should I ever be able to afford the lighting equipment ... Cheers, Richard May 19 08 01:46 pm Link That's very cool. I'm impressed. May 19 08 01:50 pm Link Great Idea! That got the old gears turning⦠Maybe a nice deep cycle boat battery for longer lasting power. My old Vagabondâs battery is tired and instead of replacing it with another I may put together a system like this using a larger battery since I wonât need to carry the damn thing anymore. Thanks for sharing! May 19 08 01:58 pm Link what a nice idea if i ever build one, it will be inspired in yours thanks for sharing May 19 08 02:08 pm Link Connor Photography wrote: I dunno... I've never shot more then 200 at one time so far... and that's usually more then enough (even for wedding formals). May 19 08 02:19 pm Link Dave Proctor wrote: If your gonna shoot with a deep cycle marine battery, you might want to save up for an ATV first. Those things are HEAVY, and I doubt this cart would handle that kind of weight. May 19 08 02:27 pm Link Great ingenuity! Thanks for sharing it with us all! May 19 08 02:39 pm Link Smedley Whiplash wrote: Hmmm⦠Going to the thrift store to look around at what they got. May 19 08 04:16 pm Link Awesome! +100 for creativity. May 19 08 06:55 pm Link Connor Photography wrote: Smedley Whiplash wrote: I get about 2200 full power shots with my AB400 out of my setup with 4 - 7.5AH batteries May 19 08 07:48 pm Link Thanks for sharing all that you did! Wonderful job, and very excellent info! May 19 08 08:37 pm Link What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I love that location, too. Did an engagement session that included shots there in March. May 19 08 09:06 pm Link This has got to be the coolest DIY item ever! Someone should build em and market them. It looks like you could also store your camera equipment in the bag and use the boom are as a makeshift tripod, just put a ball head on it. Really, start selling these things! If you build it we will come!! May 19 08 10:31 pm Link Cool Beans. I am building up one for a Road Trip. Its a might bigger, but then I am carrying large format, medium format, 2 sets of Norman lights, recflectors, beer, ice, etc. etc. http://www.pbase.com/patrickth/image/89063712 May 20 08 12:27 am Link Bernie Browder wrote: I can take a little microwave and send it to his studio system so it can be retouched and sent to whomever before he even gets back to the studio. May 20 08 12:47 am Link That's actually really nice. Good job. That picture is awesome. May 20 08 02:02 am Link Now I want one , the boom arm on the handle of the golf cart that is . Jun 21 08 12:41 am Link Dave Proctor wrote: Plus one on the thrift store. Solid old school golf club dollies are everywhere, so are all manner of luggage. Jun 21 08 01:25 am Link pretty cool... but I don't think I'd try and tackle a project of this size. Jun 21 08 07:48 am Link great job, looks like I have a new project in mind. Jun 21 08 07:52 am Link Using a golf cart for the basis is brilliant. The large wheels means it will roll over rough ground easily. Kudos on the design. Jun 21 08 09:01 am Link Great idea and shots Jun 21 08 09:05 am Link Most Excellent!! I have been thinking of a way to be mobile and carry all the stuff in one set. You have a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing! Jun 21 08 09:11 am Link the blurring is very minimal good job! Jun 21 08 10:05 am Link A bookmark worthy thread..thanks! Jun 21 08 12:34 pm Link |
