Max. Battery Voltage for a D850

LKR42

Senior Member
Hi All,

my D850 will be used in the polar region for timelapse photography and also for takiang videos of the Northern Lights. It will be veeeery cold, so I need a reliable power source.

The camera is currently equipped with a EN-EL18a battery in a MB-D18 battery grip but I need to reduce the size/weight of the body. So I purchased an EP-5B dummy battery which can be connected to an external power source.
618pYMUEf7L._AC_SL1000_.jpg
My power bank has a 5V USB-A, a USB-C with PD and an external port with 12-24VDC (which would be the easiest connection).

Can the D850 handle 12VDC? I have read everything between 7.2V to 9.4VDC and even 12VDC was mentioned once - but I don't want to fry my camera...
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard, enjoy the ride. We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

You might also want to consider introducing yourself on New Member Introductions.

Also, I can't help you with your question, but I am sure someone will be along shortly with some help.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
but I don't want to fry my camera...

Another route would be to research the output of the AC adapter for the 850 that attaches to the EP-5B dummy battery. If you find the output of the Nikon version this would give you the optimum voltage.
 

nickt

Senior Member
I don't know the answer but if you are comfortable with electronics work, you could wire up a LM317T voltage regulator and a couple of resistors. They are cheap and very common. I'd stay conservative and configure it for 7.5v. That would be 1k and 5k ohm resistors. Other resister combinations would work too. You would want to test your work with a voltmeter before connecting it.
Check what Needa said first and see what the intended adapter puts out.

Will the camera operate in the intended temperature range?

Here is a little info on the LM317.
https://circuitdigest.com/calculators/lm317-resistor-voltage-calculator
 

LKR42

Senior Member
Re: but I don't want to fry my camera...

Another route would be to research the output of the AC adapter for the 850 that attaches to the EP-5B dummy battery. If you find the output of the Nikon version this would give you the optimum voltage.
As far as I know, the output of the Nikon power supply is 9.4VDC but I don't know whether there is any electronic stuff inside the original Nikon dummy. Mine is 3rd party and seems to be empty - but I haven't foun a way to openn the case...
 

LKR42

Senior Member
...you could wire up a LM317T voltage regulator and a couple of resistors.
Electronics work are not a problem if I find a way to open the case of the dummy battery. So far I was thinking of a 7808 but a LM317 is even more flexible. I just have to check the heat load with long exposure or bulb operation.

Will the camera operate in the intended temperature range?
I beleive the D850's temperature range is much better than mine...
 

STM

Senior Member
I have one too, and it works like a champ. It is great for long photoshoots! It gives you the same voltage as the D5 battery so you can shoot 9 fps
 
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