Core SWX recently announced the Helix Skypanel Bracket. As the name implies, the Helix Skypanel Bracket allows users to remotely power ARRI Skypanel fixtures using either AB Gold Mount or V-mount Helix batteries.
There is two versions available:
HLX-SPA
The HLX-SPA mounts to the ARRI PSU rail mount adapter for Skypanel S30 and S60, and is to be used with Helix Gold Mount battery packs. It offers hot-swappable power with the 3pin XLR output and an on/off switch.
The XLR cable to be used with the Helix Skypanel brackets is HLX-SPXLR.
HLX-SPV
The HLX-SPV mounts to the ARRI PSU rail mount adapter for Skypanel S30 and S60, and is to be used with Helix V-Mount battery packs. It offers hot-swappable power with the 3pin XLR output and an on/off switch.
The XLR cable to be used with the Helix Skypanel brackets is HLX-SPXLR.
Helix Skypanel Bracket and Helix batteries
The ARRI SkyPanel S60-C fixture can be run remotely via 23-36 VDC batteries when mains power is unavailable. This is where the Helix Skypanel Bracket and Helix batteries come into play.
The clever aspect of the Core SWX Helix batteries is that they are dual voltage. They can provide both 14v and 28v simultaneous outputs.
To support various equipment types from small accessories to larger cinema cameras and lights, the largest capacity Core SWX Helix XL 293Wh batteries can support up to a 19.8A, 14.8V continuous draw (and they also support simultaneous dual-voltage output with a maximum load of 7.5A/10A peak at 28V and a maximum load of 15A/20A peak at 14V.
Price & Availability
The Helix Skypanel Bracket will be available at the beginning of August, and the price will be $349 USD. The XLR cable will be $59 USD
Other Options
ARRI does make their own V-Mount or AB Gold Mount Battery Plates for Skypanel S30 and S60 LED Soft Lights. These retail for $369 USD. The only trouble with this battery plate is you can only run the SkyPanel fixtures at 50% of their output.
POWERANGE also has a Gold-Mount or V-Mount 48V Battery Plate for ARRI Skypanels. This battery plate system runs on two separately sold 26V (265Wh each) batteries in parallel with 48V step-up transformer (530Wh total). It outputs 48V constant voltage throughout the shoot without any dimming. A quick release wedge goes on the back of the SkyPanel and the runtime is field tested up to 60 minutes non-stop at full output on the S60C/S120-C, and up to 120 minutes on the S30-C.
The POWERANGE Gold-Mount 48V Battery Plate for ARRI Skypanel Softlight costs a whopping $1700 USD.
