Remote Audio Battery Distribution System v3
The Remote Audio BDS (Battery Distribution System) has been the standard power management system in ENG audio bags for over a decade. Once considered a luxury, the ability to power multiple pieces of audio equipment with a single rechargeable battery is now a necessity as equipment demands have become more complex.
In addition to the original features, the new BDSv3 offers three improvements:
1) RM Remote Meter (optional) capability for voltage and current draw
2) Remote ON/OFF capability
3) Even smaller than the original
4) Reverse polarity protection
Very similar to the original layout, the new BDSv3 box has an additional connecter for an important new accessory called the RM (Remote Meter). The RM is a compact volt and amp meter with remote ON/OFF control. [see RM Remote Meter section]. The BDSv3 uses the same sturdy connectors as all of the former BDS versions. Therefore, existing input and output cables will still work with the BDS v3.
Download the BDSv3 User Guide (241K PDF)
There are several advantages of using the BDSv3 with the optional RM:
- Set it and forget it. The remote control function of the RM allows you to locate the BDS box anywhere inside your bag, out of sight and out of the way, free from cable snags. The RM is small enough to be clipped or Velcroed conveniently anywhere on the ENG bag, such as on the strap, for example. A single thin cable connects the RM to the BDSv3 box. When plugged into the BDSv3, just press and hold the two buttons on the RM for two seconds, and everything in the audio bag turns on! To turn the system off, press and hold the two control buttons for two seconds, and the BDSv3 turns off.
- When connected to the BDSv3 box, and the box is turned on, the RM meter illuminates and displays the voltage of the power source. Battery types can vary widely in their fully charged and discharged voltage readings, but after becoming familiar with particular battery types, the operator can have a good idea of the state of charge. But voltage tells only part of the story…
- When the lower button of the RM is pressed, it then displays the current (in Amps) being drawn from the power source, which can be very useful information in several ways. Seeing the current consumption displayed on the meter is an aid in predicting battery life. For example, if using a fully charged 4amp/hr battery, and the RM meter is displaying 0.85 amps, you can expect about 4.7 hours of use (4A/hrs / .85A = 4.7 hrs). Also, the RM meter's amp display allows you to calculate how much battery life will be extended when turning off equipment that is not needed. For example, if the Amp display is .85 amps with everything turned on, and it is reduced to .42 amps by turning an unneeded item off, then the battery life will be approximately doubled from that point. Finally, with the RM meter, it can be known exactly how much current is being drawn by each piece of equipment. There are two ways to do this. 1) Turn of all items in the bag, then turn on only the item to be measured. The resulting amp display is the current draw of that piece of equipment. 2) A more practical way may be to turn on everything in the bag, then, when turning of individual pieces, notice the amount the amp reading is reduced. For example, if the RM meter is displaying 2.87 amps, and turning off a wireless receiver results in an amp reading of 2.52 amps, then that wireless receiver draws .35 amps.
- Knowing the current consumption of your entire rig, and of each piece of gear individually, can help trouble-shoot equipment problems. For example, if an audio bag is being used in a familiar way, but the current reading is higher or lower than normal, this is an indication that something could be wrong with the equipment or something maybe incorrectly set with a piece of equipment, or a cable could have a partial short or a weak connection. Seeing the Amps fluctuate as equipment is adjusted can give an indication as to the cause of such a problem.
- Is the BDSv3 protected against overload and short circuits?
- Yes. The BDSv3 is protected against overload and short circuits with an internal 5A auto-resetting circuit breaker.
- Does the BDSv3 have "filtered" outputs?
- No. In the 12 years of building and refining the BDS system (over 5000 units have been placed in service), we have never encountered a noise issue that could be solved with filters (typically capacitor/coil arrays) inside the distribution box. Therefore, internal filters would needlessly increase the cost, size, and capacity of the BDS system. In some rare occasions a filter at the device end of the output cable can solve noise emitting from the power connectors of older equipment (such as some wireless transmitters), but this noise should be filtered or isolated with a special cable, isolated battery eliminator, or isolation cable. Contact Remote Audio for information about isolation and filtered cables.
- With the BDSv3 and RM, Remote Audio has once again raised the standard of power distribution for portable field audio.
Words from the Field
The BDSv3 is working great for me. I have the BDS attached with velcro under the bottom edge of my CL8 and the remote clipped onto the edge of the bag all powered by a v-loc battery. It is a very well thought out system allowing me to utilize all of the space in my bag fully. I have attached a photo for you.
[Editor's note: Notice how only the RM remote meter is visible. The BDSv3 distribution box is completely concealed inside the bag]
"Received today the BDS System with NP-2 Batteries I ordered. Took me all of an hour to configure in my Portabrace two batteries with feet and wiring to power my four Lectrosonics 200's and PSC mixer. I intend to kick some serious butt on my ESPN shoot this Monday. Thanks to all of your crew for a very clever and effective system."
"I just purchased your BDS System. It is perfect for my cart. The cables for it are well made as well. You guys are a class outfit."