Gold Mount Battery: 14.4V battery system with gold-contact bayonet mount — industry standard for professional cameras and lights, developed by Anton/Bauer.
Technical Details
Standard Gold Mount batteries deliver capacities between 95Wh and 290Wh at a 14.4V output voltage. Dimensions vary depending on capacity: a 150Wh battery typically measures 155×100×47mm and weighs 950g. Modern models feature D-Tap outputs (12V), USB ports, LED capacity indicators, and integrated protection circuits against overcharging, deep discharge, and short circuits. High-performance variants achieve continuous discharge currents up to 12A, with peak currents up to 15A for 30 seconds. Charging time with 4A chargers is 3-4 hours for full capacity.
History & Development
Anton/Bauer developed the Gold Mount system in 1992 as a successor to the cumbersome lead-acid batteries of the 1980s. The first generation still used Nickel-Metal Hydride technology with a 12V nominal voltage. In 1999, the transition was made to 14.4V Lithium-Ion cells, which offered double the capacity at the same weight. In 2010, RED introduced the Mini Gold Mount variant for compact cameras. Since 2018, smart batteries enable remote monitoring of charge status and cell temperature via digital communication.
Practical Application in Film
Gold Mount batteries power professional cameras such as ARRI Alexa, RED Dragon, or Sony FX9. In documentaries like "Free Solo" (2018), 290Wh batteries enabled multi-hour climbing sequences without power interruption. Steadicam operators prefer 95Wh models due to reduced weight. Tool-free swapping allows for continuous shooting by changing batteries during rolling takes. Wireless follow focus systems, monitors, or LED panels are operated in parallel via D-Tap connections.
Comparison & Alternatives
V-Mount batteries offer identical functionality with a different mounting system and dominate Sony and Panasonic cameras. Gold Mount remains the standard for ARRI, RED, and professional broadcast cameras. B-Mount batteries from ARRI (since 2019) achieve 26V for the Alexa LF but are backward compatible via adapters. NP-F batteries cover the consumer market but only reach 7.4V at a maximum of 100Wh. Block batteries (24V/30V) power large studio cameras stationary via cable.