There are a lot of portable power supplies on the market, but this offers something different from others I have looked at recently. With 95 watt-hours and 10 amps, this V mount battery is going to have a broad appeal to more than its intended market.
First Impressions of the Power Supply
The FJ Dynamics (FJD) PowerSec 90 is a robust, palm-sized 95 watt-hour, lithium-ion power supply. It delivers 14.4 volts via bidirectional connectors on the base below the standard V-mount, as well as a bidirectional Type-C USB port with 65-watt fast charging, and a bidirectional D-tap Port (Input:16.8V/5A, Output:14.4V/15A).
It measures 4.17 x 2.83 x 2.04 inches (108 x 72 x 52mm) and weighs 1.22 lbs (760g). The case is a robust, hard, black plastic. There’s a power indicator that comprises five small blue LEDs and a button to check the charge level. The button can also be used to send the unit to sleep with a long, three-second press.
The battery is supplied with a US charger that handily folds the terminals away for safe storage. There’s also a USB-C charging cable. In the box, you’ll find a user manual, and it comes with a two-year warranty.
Hidden Features of the FJD PowerSec 90
The PowerSec 90 is designed with built-in battery protection with seven safety protection systems. This is important, as a lot of people are properly concerned about the safety of third-party power supplies, especially those with bidirectional ports. However, that concern is usually with cheap copies, which this is not. It is also designed, so it can be safely carried on a plane.
The unit supports simultaneous charging of multiple devices.
What Makes The PowerSec 90 Different From a Standard Power Bank?
The main difference between this unit and a standard power bank is its enormous capacity. But, the other difference is the V mount and the D-Tap connector.
What Is a V Mount Battery?
A V mount battery – sometimes called a V lock battery – is a battery pack with a V-shaped bayonet mount. They are very easy and quick to mount and remove.
There are two things to consider when buying a V mount battery. First is the battery’s capacity in watt-hours (Wh). The PowerSec 90 has a 95.1 Wh capacity. Secondly, you must consider the maximum current draw; this has a generous maximum output of 10 amps. Consequently, you need to ensure that all the gear you’ll be attaching to the battery draws 10 amps or less in total; that's a heavy load it can carry.
A video recording rig, besides the camera, might have a monitor and other powered accessories such as a shotgun microphone. You can feed all this equipment from a single V mount battery. That reduces the nuisance of keeping track of multiple power sources.
Apart from its USB-C socket, this device delivers a 14.4-volt output, much higher than many devices operate. However, that can be converted to other voltages. You achieve this by attaching it to a V Mount plate, which will have a range of additional conversion outputs.
V mount plates often have D-Tap outputs, but this has one directly on the battery. D-Tap converters to other connection types are also available.
What Is a D-Tap?
The term D-Tap refers to a female power port on a battery. They are found on very high-capacity batteries and, like V mount plates, support numerous connections. Its large capacity port is designed to power a range of high-end gear, such as movie cameras, LED lighting rigs, microphones, monitors, and other equipment.
What About USB-C?
Because the unit also has a USB-C mount, it will also work directly with a host of other devices, including cameras with USB-C charging.
Environmental Specifications of the FJD PowerSec 90
The PowerSec 90 can discharge within a temperature range of -20 ℃ to 50 ℃. They say that range surpasses the average temperature thresholds found in other products on the market, which makes it perfect for outdoor shooting in harsh environments. However, it doesn’t claim an IP weather-sealing rating.
The PowerSec 90 in Use
The unit charged relatively quickly in under three hours using the USB-C terminal without a hint of warmth from it; the power supply’s pins are only designed for American power sockets, so I started by using an adaptor (I’m in the UK), and then swapped over to using a higher capacity PSU. There are V Mount chargers on the market that will allow this to fast charge at 65 watts.
Once charged, I used it to run different devices that have a USB-C input: my OM-1, the OM-1’s dual battery charger, a phone, a Chromebook, and a desk lamp that is extremely thirsty. The light remained at a constant brightness throughout the battery’s discharge, with no flickering.
The results were everything I anticipated to be: it delivered power to them for a corresponding length of time one anticipated from 95.1 watt-hours divided by the wattage of the devices. I don’t have anything with a V-Mount or D-Tap, so I briefly lent it to a friend who tried it on their gear, and they reported the same. It works well.
What I Liked and What Could Be Improved
What I Liked
- It’s a neat and robust unit.
- Sleep mode reduces discharging when not in use.
- It has built-in safety circuitry.
- It is compact considering the amount of power it provides.
- High-capacity 95.1 W battery.
- High current 10 amps supply.
- V Mount makes it compatible with professional video rigs.
- The D-Tap terminal expands that compatibility.
- The USB-C terminal means it is also a high-capacity power bank.
- It has a wide range of operating temperatures.
- Simple brown cardboard packaging that is recyclable.
- Good value.
- Two-Year warranty.
What Could Be Improved
- Although there is an integrated rubber cover for the D-Tap power terminal, the other terminals are uncovered.
- It could benefit from a metal case.
- Although it works well in extreme temperatures, it is not weather-sealed.
- An additional USB-C and D-Tap ports would make this even more versatile.
- Power adapters for other parts of the world would be useful.
In Conclusion: My Final Thoughts About the FJD PowerSec 90
There are a lot of power supplies on the market. Some are good and worth investing in, while others I would not trust with my valuable gear. This falls firmly into the former bracket and is a sound piece of kit made by a manufacturer that produces a range of high-end gear.
Especially if you use V-mount powered equipment, something I intend to invest in soon, then it is a worthwhile investment. Price-wise, it stands up well against its high-end direct competition and outshines the cheap alternatives. Even if you just want a high-capacity power bank, then this is a great option.
You can currently buy the FJD PowerSec 90 here.
At the time of writing, it is on sale, reduced from $219.99 to 139.
