SWIT B-Mount Battery, Fast Charger, and Hot-Swap Plates Announced

Battery News

by Jeff LochMarch 15^th, 2022

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SWIT recently launched its first lineup of products with the new ARRI B-Mount 12/24V standard: the SWIT HB-A290 battery, the PC-P461B 4-channel fast charger, and a series of hot-swap plates for ARRI cameras. Let’s take a closer look at all these new powering options from SWIT!

In 2019, ARRI made B-Mount their new battery and powering standard for cameras and lighting. However, moving from the 14.4V V-Mount/Gold Mount standard takes time. Indeed, you can’t set a new standard if minimal products are available for customers/rental houses.

Bebob recently launched its entire lineup of powering options with a B-Mount. In the footsteps of the German manufacturer, SWIT has just introduced their first battery, fast charger, and hot-swap plates with a B-Mount.

SWIT HB-A290B B-Mount battery features

The SWIT HB-A290B is a 28.8V (22-33.6V), 290Wh/10.05Ah B-Mount battery that can take an astonishing constant 250W/10A load.

On the right side of the battery, you’ll find two regulated 16V, 60W/3.8A D-Tap ports. Also, there is one USB-A 5V/2A port and one USB-C 60W in/out port on top of the HB-A290B.

According to the manufacturer, you can use the battery’s USB-C port to fully charge it in 5 hours 30min, using a 20V/3A USB-C PD charger.

On the left side of the battery, you’ll find the release switch, a power check button, and an OLED screen. The OLED screen will show various information, including battery percentage, remaining running time, USB status, and a protection warning code if the battery detects that something is wrong.

At the back of the battery, there is a handy little LED flashlight that you can activate by double-pressing the power check button. It could be helpful at the end of a shoot when you need to pack out your gear.

Last but not least, according to SWIT, the HB-A290B rugged casing can survive a 1.2m drop. With the battery’s 1.52kg/3.35lbs weight, I would be more worried about breaking the ground/floor than the battery itself.

SWIT PC-P461B B-Mount fast charger

SWIT also launched the PC-P461B B-Mount fast charger, which can fully charge up to four batteries simultaneously within 3 hours and 50 minutes. Indeed, the SWIT HB-A290B has 100W/3A fast charging capabilities, so there was a need for a 33.6V/3A (100W) fast charger.

On the side of the charger, you’ll find a large 3.5-inch color display that shows the power percentage, charging current, voltage, battery cycle times, and charging abnormal alert.

Hot-swap plates for ARRI cameras

Last but not least, SWIT released three B-Mount hot-swap plates for ARRI cameras:

• The KA-A30B for the ARRI ALEXA SXT/LF/65.
• The KA-R30B compatible witht the ARRI ALEXA MINI/MINI LF.
• And the KA-R31B that is also compatible with the ALEXA MINI/MINI LF but that adds one SDI input and two SDI output ports to your setup.

All hot-swap plates feature a built-in 32Wh battery that supports a 200W constant load for at least 2 minutes. In addition, there is a small status screen on the side of the hot-swap plates. When you remove the B-Mount battery from the plate, a countdown timer will indicate how much time you have to insert a new battery.

On the plates, you’ll find two D-tap and one 2-pin LEMO (14V regulated) output, as well as a 5V/2A USB-A port.

At the bottom of the plates, there is a 24-33.6V DC 8-pin LEMO input to feed your camera rig from mains power.

Pricing and availability

All products are available now. The SWIT HB-A290B retails for €749, the PC-P461B fast charger is €999, the KA-A30B hot-swap adapter is €699, the KA-R30B is €749, and the KA-R31B is €799.

For more information, please visit SWIT’s website here.

What do you think about all these new SWIT B-Mount powering options? Do you believe B-Mount will replace V-Mount/Gold Mount anytime soon? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!