# Powering a camera slider etc **URL:** \ **Category:** Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC\ **Created:** [June 18, 2015, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789 "2015-06-18T10:50:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![neksmerj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aca169/32.png) [@neksmerj](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/neksmerj)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/1 "2015-06-18T10:50:42Z")
I'm just in the throws of finalising my camera slider project, and a couple of queries. I'm using an Arduino UNO for control piggy backed with an Adafruit stepper shield. I'm intending to run 12V DC into the Arduino, then solder some wires on the back of the barrel jack and up to the 12V input of the stepper shield. I reckon the camera slider will be used for approx one hour at a time before recharging. The stepper draws 0.4A per phase at 12V. This is the battery I'm considering. > **[12V 7.2Ah SLA Back-up Battery - NBN/ALARM/UFB | Jaycar Electronics](https://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-7-2ah-sla-back-up-battery-nbn-alarm-ufb/p/SB2486)** > > 12V 7.2Ah SLA Back-up Battery - NBN/ALARM/UFB May I have your comments? Ken ---
**Author:** ![Isaac96](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/isaac96/32/219039_2.png) [@Isaac96](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Isaac96)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/2 "2015-06-18T15:28:05Z")
Well, try powering the whole setup with a 12v wall wart and measuring the current. Divide the capacity of the batteries (in amp-hours) by the current draw (in amps). That will give you the approximate runtime. ---
**Author:** ![neksmerj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aca169/32.png) [@neksmerj](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/neksmerj)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:08pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/3 "2015-06-19T12:08:59Z")
Having just read a later post where one battery pack was used to power the Arduino, plus shield and motor, it seems this may be a no no as the gentleman was having issues. [http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=330729.0](http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=330729.0) So is it better to power the Arduino with say a 9V battery, and the motor shield plus stepper with a separate 12V battery? I appreciate that all the negative leads be tied together What's the consensus? Ken ---
**Author:** ![Isaac96](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/isaac96/32/219039_2.png) [@Isaac96](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Isaac96)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/4 "2015-06-19T14:52:42Z")
Yes, motors will give the Arduino power supply glitches. But try not to use a 9V battery. 6x AA batteries will last a LOT longer. Power the motors separately by all means. ---
**Author:** ![MarkT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@MarkT](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/MarkT)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/5 "2015-06-19T23:57:34Z")
You may find a DC-DC converter to generate a lower voltage from the 12V is a good approach, since it will handle the vaguaries of the 12V motor supply and be efficient. When you say stepper shield, can you clarity which board you mean and which motor you have / are thinking of? ---
**Author:** ![neksmerj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aca169/32.png) [@neksmerj](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/neksmerj)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 10:47am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/6 "2015-06-20T10:47:27Z")
Hi MarkT The stepper is a Sparkfun unit, nema 17, 200 steps. 0.4A per phase The motor shield is an Adafruit unit The control board is an Arduino UNO Interesting to be advised NOT TO USE A 9V BATTERY for the Arduino, I'll take that on board Incidently, how much power does the Arduino use? Ken ---
**Author:** ![Isaac96](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/isaac96/32/219039_2.png) [@Isaac96](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Isaac96)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/7 "2015-06-20T14:42:57Z")
A 9-volt battery gives you the worst capacity-to-price ratio. I use one for a few weeks, occasionally using it to power my 3A 5V regulator. Understandably, it dies pretty fast. ---
**Author:** ![MarkT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@MarkT](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/MarkT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/8 "2015-06-20T17:04:43Z")
Start again and tell us which exact hardware you have, not a rough description - model number, datasheet, product webpage, something definitive. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 9:40am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/powering-a-camera-slider-etc/318789/9 "2021-05-06T09:40:04Z")