There are applications, where battery capacity won’t keep long enough. Sadly, Olympus doesn’t provide a cheap and simple solution. For cameras, where battery grips are not available, there is no possibillity at all, to provide external power. Under some circumstances, the same applies to the new cameras built by OMDS.
That’s why I developed the BLS-5, BLN-1, BLH-1 and BLX-1 battery adapters. They allow to run a camera from an alternative power source. This may be a strong battery or a power cord, as long as it matches the electrical specification of the camera.
Adapter Design
There are no electronic parts built into the adapters. Only the plus and minus contacts required to provide power to the camera are connected. A power supply therefore has to ensure proper polarity and voltage. The adapter is not suitable e.g. to charge batteries with the Olympus charger.
The adapters are fitted with a 5.5×2.1mm low voltage power plug. Plus is connected to the center pin, minus is connected to the outside case. A do it yourself version of the adapter (loose parts, contacts to be soldered) is available on request.
The adapter housings are manufactured in 3D filament printing. A gold plated PCB is used for the contacts. There are two versions available: the standard version is 3D-printed as PLA filament print. It withstands temperatures of up to 50 °C. A heavy duty version is printed from PA12 Nylon in SLS. It has an even more precise shape and is heat-proof up to 160 °C.
Power Supply
Mains Supply
A power source has to deliver a current of up to 1.5 A peak load at a voltage of 7.5 to 7.6 V.
There are many ways to power the camera using my adapters. I have successfully powered cameras with Meanwell power supplies. The GST18E07-P1J issuitable for European power sockets. The GST18B07-P1J may be adapted to several types of power sockets using appropriate power cords. The GST18U07-P1J fits US power sockets.
Any other power supply will work if voltage, maximum supplied current and connector type and polarity are appropriate.
USB Supply
It is tempting to try to power the camera from USB. You might think, that a simple DC-DC converter providing 7,6V should do the trick. In general, it doesn’t work. Even if the camera seems to work when idle, it will usually fail when focusing or releasing the shutter. The camera draws a higher current as is available through USB by specification.
It is possible to power a camera from an USB power bank under some specific circumstances. To do this, you need a power bank that implements either the Quick Charge (QC) or Power Delivery (PD) standard. To use such power bank to drive a camera, an adapter is required. Such an adapter negotiates voltages and provides the required power. Depending on the delivered voltage, an additional DC-DC converter may be required to successfully power the camera.
Powerbanks with a 12V 1A outlet may be used with a stable DC-DC converter to power a camera.
Hans Vollmer designed his QCCP adapter to power cameras from a power bank implementing the QC (3.0 or 2.0) standard. The QCCP adapter was already used successfully by customers of my battery dummies.
Modified Battery Compartment Lids
I built a modified battery compartment lid for the OM-D E-M1 II. The modified lid replaces the original lid which can be easily removed. The new lid allows closing the lid with the adapter cable in place. You have to drill and cut through a layer of plastic and metal to apply the modification. This requires basic skills and proper tools. I recommend to buy a spare lid for the modification. A modified battery compartment lid isn’t weather proof anymore! Disclaimer: This is a recommendation only. I applied the modification successfully several times. That doesn’t mean that the modification can’t fail.
To modify the battery compartment lid of the OM-D E-M5 II you need to drill and cut through plastic only. This modification is easy to apply. Please be aware, that the additional opening in the lid may allow dust or humidity to enter.
All three adapters are currently available and will be printed and assembled on demand.
Please use the contact form to place orders.
Free Download!
I designed a cap that protects the BLN-1 battery from short-circuits. It also can be used as a marker to signal full or empty batteries. Feel free to download the STL file and print it in 3D.