Bolex EL, EM, ESM 4-pin Power Cable, 12V 2.1mm DC barrel plug, ~0.5m (20")

This will not work with a 2.5mm DC port. Please check your battery or plate before ordering! You could buy a 2.5mm male to 2.1mm female adapter to use this cable with a 2.5mm DC port, or you can ask me to make a cable with a 2.5mm connector.

This ~0.5m power cable allows you to connect a Bolex EL, EM, or later ESM directly to a 12V battery or a regulated battery plate with a 12V 2.1mm DC port (center positive). This cable uses a 7-pin Amphenol-Tuchel connector and a 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel plug made by MPD. The barrel plug is wired with the center positive.

This cable will work for the EL camera and EM motor with the Amphenol-Tuchel 4-pin male socket. In addition, it will work for the later model ESM motor with the Amphenol-Tuchel 4-pin male socket. For an EL, your battery or battery plate socket should be capable of at least 12V 3.5A output. For the EM and ESM, your battery or battery plate socket should be capable of at least 12V 2A output.

This cable cannot be used with the ~2.1mm port on the EL and EM. That port is power for the WM and MM motors. The MM's 4-pin socket is wired differently than the 4-pin socket on the EL and EM. The cables are not interchangeable!

The battery pictured is a TalentCell 7000mAh/76Wh battery with 5.5 x 2.1mm DC barrel output @ 12V 6A max. The model number is PB030201-35, and it is available from Amazon US.

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find 12V power sources with enough current (amps) for the EL because of its low voltage detection circuit and high startup current requirement. The low voltage detector stops the EL from running if it detects voltage that is too low. If the power source cannot provide enough current (amps) to get the EL motor going, the voltage drops to compensate. Then, the EL low voltage detector stops the motor. The camera will only run for a single frame in that scenario. Some 12V 3A sources work for the EL, and some don't. I recommend at least 12V 3.5A.

I tested the cable with an EL when I built it,…