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

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

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!