Blueshape MVQUICKAL User manual

www.blueshape.net Printed in Malta 2011
HOT SWAP SYSTEM FOR ALEXA®
USING V-LOCK LITHIUM ION BATTERIES
Model
MVQUICKAL
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Revision 1.0

2
Introduction
MVQUICKAL is a hot swap system to be installed as an interface
between an ALEXA Plus camera and a V-lock battery pack.
The main purpose is to allow battery replacement without any power
interruption to the camera through an intelligent detection of the
battery removal.
Additionally, MVQUICKAL provides an alternative power source of
about 21Wh to be used as a UPS in case of a sudden power failure
or extended power demands during shooting.
MVQUICKAL graphic description
1. Installation interface for external V-Lock battery
2. D-tap connector (on opposite site, not visible in drawing)
(NOTE: D-tap is not under UPS protection)
3. LED indicators/ switch to show state of charge of internal
battery
4. Output connector (power/ data outlet to ALEXA)
5. Charging socket
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Principle of operation
MVQUICKAL features an internal battery system of about 21Wh.
This power source is automatically connected to the output
terminals (becoming the only power source) whenever the main V-
Lock battery is not installed, removed or empty (voltage below 12V).
Alternatively, when a V-Lock battery with a voltage greater than 12V
is installed, it becomes the main power source connected to the
output connector.
If, during usage, the V-lock battery voltage drops below 12V, or it is
removed, MVQUICKAL automatically provides a continuous power
supply to the device without any power interruption.
As soon as this switchover takes place and MVQUICKAL operates
through its internal power source, the 3 LEDs become alighted
(depending on the state of charge) to alarm the user that the main
power source, coming from the external V-Lock battery is no more
available and the internal UPS is providing continuity power.
When operating as the main power source, the runtime provided by
MVQUICKAL depends by the state of charge of its internal battery
and the actual power consumption.
The LED array displays the state of charge based on the internal
battery voltage and the following criteria:
Voltage Approx. state of charge LEDs
> 15.2V 100% ~ 66% All 3 LEDs on [H M L]
15.2V ~ 14.4V 66% ~ 33% 2 LEDs on [M L]
14.4V ~ 13.0V 33% ~ 10% 1 LED on [L]
< 13.0V 0% ~ 10% 1 LED flashing [L]

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How to check the state of charge
Out from the box, the internal battery of MVQUICKAL has a state of
charge of about 50% or higher.
To verify the state of charge:
- When the external battery is installed:
Press the “Check” button to verify the state. The LED will stay
on for about 3 sec showing the state (see table above). The
LEDs will flash when the internal battery is being charged.
- When the external battery is not installed:
The LEDs are automatically alighted continuously displaying
the state of charge. However, if 60 minutes elapse without an
installation of a new battery, MVQUICKAL enters in a low
power mode and automatically shuts off. Press the “Check”
button to wake up the device and verify the state (see later).
The prediction of the state of charge based on cell voltage may
appear inaccurate especially when the device is requesting a high
current load. Under similar circumstances, the internal voltage drop
may be large enough to switch off the first LED [H] and apparently
displays a state of charge below 66%. In similar cases the LED
gauge is programmed with a pessimistic capacity prediction, and the
state of charge seems to reduce faster, especially for the first and
even the second LED [H M]. In any case the flashing 3rd LED
represents a critical threshold after which the camera should be
switched off or alternatively, a fresh battery installed.
How to charge the internal battery
MVQUICKAL has an internal battery pack that can be charged in
two different ways:
- By connecting the MVQUICKAL charger provided through the
Push-pull connector on the side.
The internal battery will be charged automatically. The charger
will charge at 3A in constant current mode with the charge time
being roughly 30 minutes.
- Automatically upon installation of a new battery:
Whenever an empty battery is swapped with a fresh battery, the
newly installed battery will restore the lost energy of
MVQUICKAL by charging the its internal battery with a 120mA
current for a maximum time of 90 minutes. This will ensure that
a maximum of 180mAh will be replenished in the internal
battery.

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This automatic partial charging is an efficient way to keep
MVQUICKAL well charged even after several swaps.
It is however recommendable to fully charge MVQUICKAL on a
charger for the first time, or prior to an extensive working session.
How to switch off / switch on
MVQUICKAL is supplied switched off to save internal power and
automatically enters in low power mode when not in use.
- How to switch it on:
a) MVQUICKAL automatically switches on upon installation of
an external battery with a voltage > 12V. Note that when an
external battery is installed, MVQUICKAL is permanently on
and will never enter in low power mode.
b) By pressing the LED button to check the state, when an
external battery is not installed.
- How to switch it off:
a) MVQUICKAL automatically switches off when an external
battery is not installed for at least 60 minutes and the LED
button is not pressed during this period.
b) To force a switch off, remove the external battery and press
and hold the LED button for about 5 seconds until the LEDs go
off.
When MVQUICKAL is operating as the only power source,
regardless whether it is powering a device or not (meaning that no
external battery is installed), it will switch off after 60 minutes. To
avoid this, just press the LED button once to restart the countdown
and prolong the operating period.
It is preferable to switch off MVQUICKAL after a working session or
before storage to minimise the power consumption and the self-
discharge.
Battery communication - information to ALEXA
When BLUESHAPE batteries are used on MVQUICKAL, data is
transmitted from the battery to ALEXA and can be read on its
viewfinder. MVQIUCKAL has an in-built protocol translation board to
convert BLUESHAPE battery data to communication that can be
read and interpreted by ALEXA®.
The data switch selector can be moved by a pointed object towards
ON to enable or towards OFF to disable data communication.

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Technical specifications
Internal battery:
Type Li-Ion rechargeable
Nominal voltage 14.4V
Nominal capacity 1.5Ah – 21Wh
Max. discharge current 10A
Operating temperature range -20°C ~ +60°C (-4°F ~ +140°F)
Storage temperature range 0°C ~ +30°C (32°F ~ 86°F)
Dimensions 142 x 83 x 65mm
Weight 750g
Bottom spacer contact pin description:
1. Positive (+ve)
Range 16.8V max
to ~12V min
2. Negative
(Ground) (-ve) 0V
3. Data
communication
Exercise caution handling these contacts and do
not touch by hand unnecessarily.
Package contents:
•MVQUICKAL
•Charger 110 ~ 240V/ 3A
•Power connector
•Operating manual
At our own responsibility we declare that this product is
CE certified.
BAT (-ve) BAT (+ve)
COMMS
2 1
3

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Mounting Instructions
1. Mate lower spacer (containing
protocol translation board) to
back of ALEXA plus so as to
mate the 3 golden contact pogo
pins with the contact area on the
camera
2. Screw in the 4 x M3x10
(shorter) screws provided
3. Figure shows lower Alu spacer part fixed to camera. Note the 2
large terminals (+ve) and (-ve) and the tiny data connector that now
need to be connected to the wires on the main body of MVQUICKAL

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4. Figure shows the main upper body brought into proximity of the
lower body for connection
5. Screw in the main body using
the 4 x M3x48 longer screws
provided
6. MVQUICKAL is now ready to
use

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Warranty
BLUESHAPE MVQUICKAL is warranted to be free from defects in
materials, workmanship and functionality for a period of 18 months
commencing from the date of purchase.
This warranty shall not apply to any products or parts of, that have
been subjected to misuse, negligence, accidental or abnormal
conditions of operation.
The buyer should always contact the place of purchase for any
return of defective product. It is important that the buyer provides us
with as much information as possible about the failure being
claimed.
In the event of product failure for which warranty applies, we will
repair or replace the product free of charge. In these cases, all
expenses including transport charges will be borne by us.
In the case where the failure has been caused by one of the causes
explained above, repairs should be billed at a nominal cost. Prior to
the carrying out of any repairs, we will inform the customer of the
estimated costs of these repairs.
These warranty conditions are the only ones applicable to our
products and overrule any other expressed or implied warranties.
We shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from warranty
statements other than those contained in this declaration.
In all warranty claims, the buyer must reproduce the original
purchase invoice.

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VIA LIGURIA 4-6,
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ITALY
TEL. [phone]
FAX. [phone]
WEB: www.blueshape.net
EMAIL: [email protected]