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To match Ikegami's new HL-DV7W 16:9 DVCAM camera, I was lucky anough to used one of PAG's new AR Series 2 chargers and four of their PAG L75 Time Batteries, along with their extremely useful PAG 12volt to 240volt Converters. (my write up continues below)

PAG AR Series 2 charger & PAG L75 Time Battery being used on White light

For me the sign of a good product is that out of the box it works... and it continues to work with what ever you throw at it... Similar to Ikegami's HL-DV7W, I threw a lot at the kit, from camping for 5 days straight to rushing around Mississippi on dusty tracks, in the middle of nowhere... PAG's system worked... It was something I didn't have to worry about... I had enough being the Writer, Producer, Director, DOP and Operator... The PAG 12volt to 240volt Converter was priceless... Quite often we were using 2 HL-DV7W, at the same time, even with 4 batteries we were eating through them quickly... The combination of the AR Series 2 charger, PAG L75 Time Batteries and the PAG converter, saw me through...

Check out the specs. below, or download the full PAG Catalogue (2MB), AR Series 2 Charger Catalogue (500KB), AR Series 2 Charger Specifiactions (300KB) or the PAG L75 Time Batteries Catalogue (500KB), all in PDF format.

PAG Advanced Battery Systems.
Three decades of innovation.

PAG Limited is a market led company whose design and manufacturing origins lie in the film industry, producing high quality recording equipment and battery related products.

During the nineteen eighties the increasing demand for portable power took PAG into new market areas, powering the first portable electronic cameras. Through this PAG moved into the Broadcast Television and Professional Video industries, and many other specialist areas where PAG’s technological expertise has proved invaluable.

To quote PAG’s Founder and Chief Executive, Alan Lavender, “We are now best known for our battery chargers and related products. In this area we have a string of world firsts to our credit. Our continued research and development is a key factor in maintaining our leading market position. Many of our products have broken technological boundaries and set world standards. These include the introduction of microcomputer-controlled two-wire fast-charging; the first super-fast charger; the first pocket-sized fast-charger; the first Autoranging fast-charger, and now Instantaneous Battery Status Recognition and Run-Time Information.”

PAG is an approved NATO contractor, and is currently responsible for the design and development of advanced charging systems for use by the Military and Civil Authorities, including the essential emergency services.

From PAG’s main factory in South West London, the company is now responsible for designing and manufacturing an unparalleled range of products for portable power applications.


PAG AR Series 2 All-Chemistry Charging Systems

PAG AR Series 2 chargers are the smallest, lightest, and most advanced microcomputer-controlled Battery Management Systems available for users of Ni-Cd, Ni-MH and PAG Li-Ion batteries.

PAG AR Series 2 chargers will sequentially charge batteries within the ranges 4.8 to 14.8V and 1 to 10Ah.

Operating under the microcomputer-control of PAG ACS, the world’s most Advanced Charging System, PAG AR Series 2 chargers extend the working life of your batteries beyond that achievable using any other system.

The PAG AR Series 2 range comprises three models. There are two and four channel chargers incorporating Paglok connectors, for the direct connection of all Paglok battery packs. The third model incorporates four NP type pockets, for the direct connection of any PAG NP type battery and specified NP batteries of other manufacturers. All PAG AR Series 2 chargers incorporate PP90 (2.1mm) sockets suitable for the connection of a range of PAG charging adaptors. AR Series 2 chargers will charge V-Mount Li-Ion batteries via a designated PAG Intelligent Charge Adaptor Model 9610.

The PAG AR Series 2 range features automatic charge current selection. The charger determines a number of significant factors about the battery connected, such as cell chemistry, state-of-charge and cycle history, and then applies the most suitable charge rate to achieve a fully charged battery with the maximum potential cycle life. This feature is ideal when you want to leave batteries of mixed cell chemistry and state-of-charge to be processed unattended. Alternatively, the charge current can be manually selected at either 2A, 3A or 4A. This technology was developed by engineers at PAG Ltd. and is unique to the PAG AR Series 2 range of chargers.

Four channel AR Series 2 chargers also incorporate an analytic Discharge/Charge Program that greatly benefits batteries which have been repeatedly subjected to partial discharge in use. The true available capacity of any battery is displayed on the large backlit LCD. This user interface also provides information such as the current loaded and status for each channel, as well as discharge capacity and terminal voltage.

All models provide a manually selectable Recovery Charge program which can be activated to recover capacity lost as a result of extended storage, or use under adverse conditions.

Once any of the main charging programs has been completed, batteries are monitored continually, and a maintenance charge is applied, where necessary, to keep them at full charge, ready for immediate use.

All PAG AR Series 2 chargers incorporate the latest high frequency switch-mode power supply which adjusts automatically to enable worldwide operation.

PAG AR Series 2 chargers incorporate many safety features and comply with all relevant directives for EMC and Safety.

A Li-Ion Chip-Upgrade Kit is available for AR Series 2 chargers already in the field. It will enable you to charge the PAG L75 and PAG NPH Li-Ion battery packs and also features the Automatic Charge Rate Selection capability.


PAG AR SERIES 2 SPECIFICATIONS

1. AR Series 2 Model Range:

Model No. 9792 AR124PLD:
Four sequential charging channels.
Four Paglok and four PP90 connectors.
Built-in discharger.

2. Range of Batteries Charged:

Nickel-Cadmium batteries having nominal voltages of between 4.8V and 14.4V, and nominal capacities of between 1Ah and 10Ah.

Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries of reputable manufacture having nominal voltages of between 4.8V and 14.4V, and nominal capacities of between 1Ah and 10Ah.

PAG Lithium-Ion batteries.

3. Battery Connections:

Paglok: Patented, Professional PAG locking connector compatible with all Paglok batteries. Incorporates self-cleaning military-type beryllium-copper leaf contacts.

NP: Polarised connector suitable for Ni-Cd, Ni-MH and PAG Li-Ion NP-type batteries. Incorporates superior blade-type beryllium-copper contacts.

PP90: Polarised connector suitable for 2.1mm coaxial DC power connectors. NOTE: centre pin negative.

4.Main Charge Program:

Auto Mode: automatically selects the correct charge current.
Manual selection: 2A, 3A or 4A charge current.

Li-Ion voltage-charge program: only available with PAG intelligent batteries or suitable PAG intelligent adaptor. PAG intelligent batteries automatically over-ride the Auto Mode or Manual selection, and control their own charge regime.

5. Discharge-then-Charge Program:

This program discharges the battery, automatically determining the fully-discharged condition, and then fully charges it. The discharge capacity and the subsequent charge loaded into the battery can be displayed on the screen.

6. Recovery Charge:

This special program conditions the battery for a period of one hour. The charger will then automatically enter the Main Charge program, which will run until the battery is fully charged. This program also recovers PAG Li-Ion batteries which have been over-discharged to the point where the internal safety protection circuit has tripped.

7. Ancillary Charging Programs:

The following programs may be automatically entered after charging:

Balancing Charge.
Self-adjusting Maintenance Charge (not applied to PAG Li-Ion batteries).

8. Self Test Program:

The internal microcomputer constantly monitors the battery under charge or process as well as he operation of the chargers own functions which will be shut down to a safe condition should any of the tests fail.

9. Mains Input:

90-139V or 140-270V ~ autoselected. Frequency 47-63 Hz. Maximum power consumption 120W.

10. Output Protection:

Charger protected against short circuit, open circuit, excess battery voltage and reverse battery voltage.

11. AC Mains Failure Protection:

Should mains failure occur during a charging program, or whilst the charger is connected, it will shut down to a safe condition.

12. User Interface:

The LCD screen has a display area of 94mm x 18mm, which displays 2 lines of text, with 24 characters per line.

The screen incorporates electro-luminescent backlighting with on/off control via the front panel soft function switch. This switch also provides for the selection of programs and interrogation of charge and discharge data.

13. Safety:

Designed to comply with electrical safety standard BS EN 60065. NOTE: U.K. mains leads are fitted with a 1” fuse to BS1362 rated 5A as standard.

14. European Union Directives:

Complies with the following EU Directives:
EMC Directive 89/336/EU.
Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EU.

15. Operating Temperature Range:

0C to 40C (+32F to +104F).

16. Overall Dimensions:

9792 AR124PLD & 9794 AR122PL:
81.5mm high (90mm with feet extended) x 168mm wide x 240mm deep. (3.2”, 3.5” with feet extended, x 6.6” x 9.5” approx.).

17. Weight:

9792 AR124PLD: 1.23kg (2.70lbs approx.).

18. Typical Battery Charging Times:

Battery Capacity	Charge Time 2A	ChargeTime 3A	Charge Time 4A
1Ah	30mins	20mins	15mins
2Ah	60mins	45mins	30mins
4Ah	120mins	90mins	60mins
5Ah	150mins	105mins	75mins
7Ah	-	150mins	105mins
10Ah	-	-	150mins

These times are approximate only, and assume the battery is fully discharged. Charging times will be less if the battery is already partially charged.

NOTE: PAG intelligent batteries communicate with the charger, and automatically optimise the charging output (independently of the manual selection) to enhance performance and safety. The above charging times do not apply to these batteries.

PAG L75 Time Battery

A new digital Lithium-Ion Paglok battery incorporating PAG’s unique Power & Time Display.

A 14.8V 5.1Ah battery which provides 75 watt-hours and weighs only 685g. The most powerful Li-Ion battery for its size that the industry has seen.

No hot-swapping or piggy-backing is required, one PAG L75 will power both a camera and a 35W light.

The capacity-to-weight ratio benefits of Lithium-Ion battery technology are well known, but the new PAG L75 Time Battery is the first to utilise Li-Ion cells which are capable of higher discharge rates, and are more applicable to the demands of the broadcast industry. The PAG L75 represents a significant improvement in Li-Ion technology and incorporates many unique features which are the hallmark of PAG’s innovative professional broadcast equipment.

The PAG L75 is a 14.8V 5.1Ah pack which provides up to 75 watt hours of capacity, making it the most powerful Li-Ion battery for its size that the industry has seen. It is the same size as the PAG NMH60, but offers more capacity for a weight of only 685g. The battery has been designed for use with the Paglok system, although, Sony V-Mount to Paglok, and Anton Bauer to Paglok adaptors are available for equipment fitted with these battery mounts.

Power & Time Display
The PAG L75 Time Battery embodies PAG’s latest digital technology, and incorporates PAG’s unique on-board touch-button Power & Time Display. This provides the user with an accurate indication of remaining battery capacity whenever required.

When the battery is connected to a load, the system is able to calculate and display a run-time prediction, expressed in hours and minutes. The battery’s internal computer takes into account the charge status and condition of the cells along with the ambient temperature, to provide a highly accurate run-time prediction, which is continually updated against changes in load.

Away from the camera the Power & Time Display provides an accurate indication of available capacity expressed in both ampere-hours and percentage.

PAG System RTI
The PAG L75 is compatible with System RTI, the industry’s most accurate in-the-viewfinder Run-Time information system. System RTI is the only digital battery communication system that accurately predicts when the camera’s auto-shutdown will occur, and the only one that displays the remaining run-time information in hours, minutes and seconds, updating against changes in load.

Data stored in the internal computer of any PAG digital battery, such as operating capacity, percentage state of charge and date of supply can also be displayed in the camera viewfinder.

This battery requires System RTI Version 2, also available as a software upgrade for the earlier version.

Charging
The PAG L75 can be charged with PAG AR Series 2 chargers, designed for PAG Li-Ion batteries as well as Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries of any manufacturer. A chip-upgrade is available for AR Series 2 chargers already in the field.

Variable Charge Voltage
The PAG L75 can be manually set allowing the user to choose between extended battery cycle life or extended capacity. Maximum capacity is achieved with a charge voltage of 4.2V per cell. Alternatively, the cycle life can be extended by charging at 4.1V per cell, although this gives a slightly reduced discharge capacity (87% approx.).

Safety
PAG has incorporated a number of unique safety features to ensure that the PAG L75 is the safest Li-Ion battery available.

The battery incorporates a very sophisticated electronic protection system which will disconnect the output if the load becomes excessive. Once removed from the load, battery power will be restored.

The battery will not accept a charge from unsuitable charging supplies, and is protected from accepting a charge if it is too hot or too cold. This is indicated by ‘C’ when the display button is pressed. Charging is automatically initiated as soon as the temperature is within the correct range.

Specification:
Model 9364 PAG L75 Time Battery.

Connector:
Paglok connector, suitable for use with standard Paglok & System RTI.

Cells:
Premium grade Lithium-Ion sealed rechargeable cells.

Voltage & Capacity:
14.8V 5.1Ah nominal.

Output Current:
Rated continuous output current 5.5A max. (equivalent to a medium power camera together with a regulated 35W light).

Charge Time:
3 hours from fully discharged state. Less if the battery is partially charged.

Variable Charge Voltage:
The battery can be manually set to control the charge voltage to either 4.1V per cell for extended cycle life or 4.2V for extended capacity.

Power & Time Display:
When on-load, a run-time prediction can be displayed in hours and minutes. Away from the camera remaining available capacity is displayed in ampere-hours (0.1Ah increments) and percentage (1% increments).

Protection:
3 over-current shutdown systems.
2 over-voltage shutdown systems.
2 under-voltage shutdown systems.
2 thermal shutdown systems (including a non-resetting thermal fuse rated 98oC). All protection circuits within the battery are designed to withstand the leakage of electrolyte.

Operating Temperature:
+10C to +40C.

Weight:
685gm (1.5lb approx.)

Size (excluding Paglok claws):
130 x 86 x 42mm approx. (5.1” x 3.4” x 1.65”)

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