Anton/Bauer’s Salt-E Dog: the sodium-based sustainable future of batteries?

Anton/Bauer says its industry-first 9kWh sustainable power supply uses salt-based power cells to replace lithium, marking a new era of environmental media production.

Anton/Bauer’s new Salt-E Dog is a sodium-based 9kWh mobile power source designed specifically for motion picture and television production and is going to tick a lot of boxes for the increasing number of productions looking for emission-free and noiseless power. 

Unlike gas generators, the Salt-E Dog produces no harmful CO2 or NOx emissions, resulting in cleaner air and a safer production experience, while near-silent operation and compact design allow for placement closer to where a production needs power, eliminating lengthy and hazardous cables and reducing ADR work. The Salt-E Dog offsets greenhouse gas emissions, allowing productions to offset 2.6kg of CO2 and associated NOx per liter of fuel saved.

It offers a range of power output options. AC power is provided through four 20A 120V outlets or a 50A 125V Stage Pin connector. DC power comes through four 16A 28V XLR3, four 16A 48V, as well as two 5~20V, 100W USB-C ports. With these power capabilities, the Salt-E Dog can provide up to 6000W of pure sine wave power, allowing for extended off-the-grid usage to run production equipment for hours. 

What will that give you? Anton/Bauer reckons the following:

Users can recharge the unit from AC outlets, solar PV, and CCS Level 2 (J1772) electric vehicle charge points.

Sodium cells show a lot of potential but have yet to really break through and give lithium-ion a run for their money. Indeed, mass production of Na-ion has only really started in the past few months. But they do have advantages. The sodium cell 100% recyclable and has a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating compared to lithium-ion batteries, making it what A/B says is the most environmentally friendly choice in the market. It’s also going to be safer on set. Using sodium cells, rather than lithium, productions can safely place the unit near lighting, catering, craft and even on-screen talent without the risk of thermal runaway or fire, reducing the need for fire marshals and water trucks on set lowering insurance premiums.

Key features:

• 7-inch colour touchscreen display for real-time monitoring
• IP55 weatherproof rating for durability in all conditions
• Multiple AC and DC outputs for including XLR3, USB and Stage Pin for versatile power distribution
• AC grid power, PowerCon True1, solar PV, and CCS Level 2 (J1772) electric vehicle charger inputs for convenient recharging