IDX has officially announced the IPL Series of batteries. The IPL series is the latest stackable battery solution. For those who don’t know IDX was the originator of PowerLinking (piggy-backing) batteries.
| IDX IPL-98 | IDX IPL-150 |
| Capacity: 96Wh | Capacity: 143Wh |
| Max Output Voltage: 16.8V | Max Output Voltage: 16.8V |
| Nominal Voltage: 14.4V | Nominal Voltage: 14.4V |
| Max Draw: 10A (14A when linked)‡ | Max Draw: 11A (14A when linked)‡ |
| D-Tap: 80W each | D-Tap: 80W each |
| USB: DC 5.0V / 2.3A | USB: DC 5.0V / 2.3A |
| End Voltage: 11V | End Voltage: 11V |
| Battery Protection: Reverse charge, Over charge, Over discharge, Over current, & Temperature protection | Battery Protection: Reverse charge, Over charge, Over discharge, Over current, & Temperature protection |
| Ambient Temperature: Charge: 32°F ~ 104°F (50°F ~ 86°F rec) Discharge: -4°F ~ 113°F (50°F ~ 104°F rec) Storage: -4°F ~ 122°F (1 mo) | Ambient Temperature: Charge: 32°F ~ 104°F (50°F ~ 86°F rec) Discharge: -4°F ~ 113°F (50°F ~ 104°F rec) Storage: -4°F ~ 122°F (1 mo) |
| Dimensions: 88.6 (W) x 118.5 (H) x 69.8 (D) mm 3.48 (W) x 4.66 (H) x 2.74 (D) | Dimensions: 88.6 (W) x 118.5 (H) x 85 (D) mm 3.48 (W) x 4.66 (H) x 3.34 (D) “ |
| Weight: 745 g /1.61 lbs | Weight: 970 g /2.13 lbs |
IPL-98 & IPL-150
The IPL Series includes two models, the IPL-98 & IPL-150, with capacities of 96Wh & 143Wh respectively.
Both models are travel safe and can be taken on board aircraft. The IPL-98 & IPL-150 have been designed specifically for use with high-end cameras and accessories where extended runtimes are required.
As the batteries are stackable you can link up to four batteries. With four batteries stacked together, you can achieve some seriously long run times. While you are unlikely to stack four batteries together as the weight and size would probably be counter-intuitive, it’s nice to know it can be done.
With older stackable IDX batteries I would often clip two together when I needed an uninterrupted power source. The nice thing is, you can actually still stack older IDX batteries to the new batteries or vice versa.
The way the IPL Series works is that it draws power from the last battery mounted. Once the power drains from the last battery, it shifts to the next battery in line. The nice thing is you can remove the last battery and then replace it with another without having to power down your equipment.
The new PowerLink technology is also beneficial when charging. When used with the IDX VL-2000S simultaneous dual charger, you can stack up to four IDX batteries, so you can charge up to a total of 8 batteries. The batteries will charge, sequentially, beginning with the farthest battery from the port inward.
As I mentioned earlier, the IPL-98 & IPL-150 are both travel-friendly and capable of up to 14A when linked. These models will come equipped with all of IDX’s latest technologies, including BMS (battery management system), SMBus, D-Tap Advanced, D-Tap, USB, a 5-LED power status indicator, and a V-Torch LED for added convenience in dark environments. There is no indication of pricing just yet, but the batteries are expected to start shipping in July 2019.
