REMOTE AUDIO
220 Great Circle Road, Suite 114, Nashville, TN 37228-1737
Phone: 615.256.3513 | Fax: 615.259.2699
www.remoteaud o.com
The Remote Audio BDS
(Battery Distribution System)
has been the standard power
management system in ENG
audio bags for over a decade.
Once considered a luxury, the
ability to power multiple pieces
of audio equipment with a
single rechargeable battery is
now a necessity as equipment
demands become more
complex. The BDS system
accommodates this need with
a reliable, convenient, and
robust design. The BDSv4u
adds refinements such as a
built-in 5V @ 2A (10W)
regulated USB output for
powering or charging
compatible devices, a "lowbattery" indication with three user-selectable thresholds,
and an easily accessible "switched/unswitched" toggle.
Description
Remote Audio's BDS system consists of a reverse-polarity
protected and overload protected distribution box with
illuminated bi-color on/off switch, six outlets, power source
(typically a rechargeable battery such as the NP-1), an input
cable, and output cables for the devices being powered.
The primary purpose of the BDS system is to
simultaneously turn on and off multiple pieces of equipment
being powered by a single source. For this basic function,
the BDSv4u may be used exactly like the older BDS
versions that it replaces. The input and output connections
are the same, so all previous BDS input and output cables
manufactured by Remote Audio are compatible with the
BDSv4u.
The BDSv4u design takes the system to another level of
functionality with the 6-pin connector for the RM (Remote
Meter) & RS (Remote Switch) accessories. The RM & RS
can turn on and off the BDSv3 remotely, and the RM can
display the voltage of the power source and the amperage
draw of the equipment. The BDSv4u can be used without
the RM/RS. In this case, the toggle switch turns the unit on
and off.
Using the BDSv4u with the optional RM or RS
When connected to the RM or RS, and the BDSv4u toggle
switch is in the OFF position, the RM/RS controls the on/off
circuit of the BDSv4u. This allows the BDSv4u box to be
placed deep in the bag, out of the way. To turn the BDSv4u
on or off with the RM/RS, flip the toggle on the RM/RS.
When on, the RM will display the voltage of the power
source. Pressing the lower button (labeled "AMPS") will
display the current draw of the devices being powered for
as long as the AMPS button is pressed. If the BDSv4u
toggle switch is in the on position, the RM/RS will not turn off
the BDSv4u. In this case, the on/off function of the RM will
only turn on and off the meter display.
Connectors and Cables
The outlet connectors on the BDS box are a special
switching type
that requires a long-shaft mating plug with a
2.5mm hole. This connector set was chosen for its strength
and so that unused (exposed) outlets on the box are not
active until a cable with the proper mating connector is
plugged into it, helping prevent accidental short circuits.
Output cables by Remote Audio are manufactured
specifically for use with the BDS, and come with unique lowprofile right angle locking connectors. Therefore, it is
recommended that only Remote Audio brand output cables
be used. The polarity of the outlets is "center positive". "Y"
cables are available for connecting more than six devices.
Input cables, battery adapters and AC-DC adapters by
Remote Audio are also available.
The BDSv4u has a standard
USB port to facilitate
charging or powering
anything that will run or
charge via USB, such as a
smartphone or handheld
recorder. Unlike many other
12V to 5V USB adapters,
which are limited to 1A, this
USB port is able to deliver a
regulated 5V at up to 2A
(10W). The BDSv4u's USB
port is wired to conform to
the official USB "Dedicated Charging Port" specification.
Devices that do not conform to that specification may not be
able to take full advantage of the port's 2A capability. For
instance, most Apple devices use a proprietary circuit to
charge at the maximum rate (higher current). When
connected to the BDSv4u, the iPad will show a "Not
Charging" status message on the toolbar. In that case, it is
being trickle-charged when awake and charged when
sleeping or in standby mode, allowing the iPad to be run
indefinitely (or until the BDS's power source is drained).
This design choice was made to conserve battery life for
more critical functions, such as powering the recorder/mixer
in the bag. If faster charging for Apple devices is desired, we
recommend using Remote Audio's BDSUSB adapter cable,
rated for 1A @ 5V and containing Apple's proprietary circuit.
NOTE: When the USB port is at maximum capacity (2A @
5V), it is important to remember that the 2A doesn't directly
count against the 5A maximum total for the whole box, since
they are defined at different voltages. It may be easier to
think of it in terms of Watts. 2A @ 5V is equal to 10W (2 * 5),
and the entire BDSv4u is limited to 60W (5A * 12V). So, the
USB port can provide a maximum of 1/6th the total output of
the BDSv4u, or the equivalent of ~833mA at 12V, not
including the slight losses
of the 5V regulator circuit.
For simplicity sake, if you're pulling a full 2A from the USB port,
it is safe to assume that you've got about 4A remaining
capacity for all the other output jacks, which is more than
sufficient for nearly all ENG bag configurations.
The input connector on the BDS box is a common TA4M
(miniature 4-pin male XLR) with the standard scheme of "pin-1
NEG, pin-4 POS". To improve reliability and reduce voltage
drop, the contacts are doubled 1-2 and 3-4 at the circuit board.
Therefore, if the user wires their own input cables, it is
recommended to connect pins 1-2 and 3-4. The power
indicator built into the BDS box switch can be used to confirm
proper polarity of the input cable (if it illuminates, the polarity is
correct).
Switched vs Unswitched Outlet
The indicated outlet can be either "switched" or "unswitched."
"Switched" means that the outlet turns off and on via the main
toggle switch. "Unswitched" means that the outlet is always on
when power is present. The factory default for that outlet is
"unswitched." This feature is often desired for the audio mixer.
For example, in this configuration, when only the mixer and
boom mic are needed, turning off the BDS box will turn
everything off (receivers, etc.) except for the mixer. This can
be a convenient way to turn off everything that is not needed,
extending the life of the battery. The status of the outlet can be
easily reversed to "switched" by sliding the nearby switch using
a toothpick or jeweler's screwdriver. When using a metal tool
to change the switch position, make sure the BDS is powered
off to eliminate the possibility of short-circuits.
Low Battery Indicator
The illuminated toggle switch is a bi-color type that indicates
when your power source (typically a battery) falls below a
certain voltage level. This threshold voltage is selectable via a
switch on the face of the BDSv4u.
Three voltages are available
for use with the most common
battery chemistries:
13V - for Lithium-Ion
11.5V - for Nickel-Metal Hydride*
11
V - for Lead Acid ("Gel Cells")
(* - Default Factory Setting)
When the battery voltage falls below the selected threshold,
the illuminated toggle will switch from Green to Red. Battery
voltage is influenced by the current draw of connected devices,
so some experimentation may be needed to find the correct
threshold for your setup.
Short Circuit and Overload Protection
The BDS box has auto-resetting protection against output short
circuits and loads in excess of 5A @ 12V (60W), with each
outlet capable of handling up to 3A. If the BDS fails to pass
power, it could be due to an overload or short circuit.
In the case of a short circuit of an individual output cable or
REMOTE AUDIO
220 Great Circle Road, Suite 114, Nashville, TN 37228-1737
Phone: 615.256.3513 | Fax: 615.259.2699
www.remoteaud o.com
piece of gear, only that outlet's breaker will trip, protecting the
other connected gear from damage. If a piece of gear fails to
power up, that output cable should be checked for continuity
with a multimeter (shorted or open conductors), or replaced
entirely. The BDS box will also protect itself when connected to
loads of over 5A, and the on/off toggle switch will no longer be
illuminated. However, it is very rare for field audio bags (the
primary intended use for the BDS) to have current draws in
excess of 5A.
Reverse Polarity Protection
As a protective feature for devices being powered, in the event
that an input cable or battery adapter is miswired, the BDSv4u
will not pass reverse polarity voltage to its outputs. Unlike some
reverse polarity protection circuits, the BDS circuit does not
cause a voltage drop during normal operation.
Noise and Shared Power Systems
Thousands of satisfied field audio professionals are using the
BDS system to power their equipment. However, it is possible
to have unwanted audible noise induced into audio systems by
a common (shared) power source. To optimize your system, it
is recommended to use line level signals instead of mic level
signals whenever practical. Also, turn phantom voltage off of all
preamp inputs that are connected to non-microphone devices.
If noise is still heard, to determine the cause, unplug one device
at a time from the BDS box, noticing any change in noise
associated with the removal of each device. If the noise goes
away after unplugging a particular device, try powering that
device with a separate battery. If using a separate battery
causes the noise to go away, then the problem is a ground loop
associated with the combination of a common power source
and audio grounding schemes. Be aware that this noise will not
be removed with "LC" filters found in some distribution boxes.
To remove the noise, here are four options for interrupting the
ground loop: 1) Use a separate battery for the offending device.
2) Try different grounding/floating schemes with the audio
cables. 3) In devices that use a single 9V battery, use an
isolating 9V battery eliminator such as those made by
Lectrosonics. 4) Use a power isolator cable such as the
Remote Audio Juicer cable.
Mounting Clip
The BDSv4u comes with a stainless steel clip to aid in securing
the box to a bag or strap. NOTE: Keep the original clip screws.
Attaching the clip with screws longer than those originally
supplied can damage the BDS box and void the warranty.
Specifications
Dimensions: 3.977" x 1.329" x 1.165" (101 x 33.8 x 29.6 mm)
Weight: 4.8 oz
Input Voltage: 6 - 20V
Output Current: 3A Max per output, 5A global max (60W)
USB port: 2A
Power Switch: Recessed toggle, illum. Green when Power "ON"
Red when voltage falls below selectable threshold.
@ 5V regulated (10W)
Remote Audio warrants the BDSv4u against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original retail
Limited Warranty
purchase. Remote Audio will repair or replace qualifying products at its discretion at no charge. Please visit our website for complete terms
and conditions or contact us at info@remoteaudio.com.
Rev. 02/01/212
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