Nikon D300 Complete Manual page 92

socket on the left side of the camera. The AC Adapter
provides the camera with 9 volts at 5400mAh (i.e. any third
party battery or adapter that would connect to the DC In
socket would have to supply the same voltage
If you have an older EH-5 AC Adapter, you can also use that
with your D300.
Here's the weird thing: the D300 uses the same battery
technology (EN-EL3e series) as the D200, but uses a different
AC adapter. It's an important detail for those of us who travel
with and own multiple Nikon cameras. Personally, this was
bad news for me, as at the moment I shoot with a D3 (uses an
EH-6), a D300 (uses an EH-5a), and an IR-converted D200
(uses an EH-6). This means that to have all the power
capabilities I might need I end up having to travel with two
sets of batteries, two battery chargers, and two AC adapters.
Note: Note that when running the D300 from the EH-5a without a
charged battery in the camera, if you accidentally "pull the
plug" during shooting, any images in the internal buffer are
lost, and the CompactFlash card may be corrupted due to
an incomplete write cycle. I generally recommend that you
always have a battery in the camera when using the AC
adapter.
Note: The camera power switch should be in the OFF position
before removing or inserting any connection to the DC In
slot.
The D300 can also be powered by a variety of batteries in the
optional MB-D10.
38 You'd also need to find the right connector which, unfortunately, is yet another
Nikon-proprietary one. Here's the trick to get around that: buy the EH-5a. Cut the
cable from the EH-5a to the camera in half. Wire the cut cable ends with a standard
male/female connector set of your choice, and then use the same set on your external
battery supply. You must be very careful to keep the voltages and polarities on pins
correct. Failure to get these correct could fry the electronics of your camera, making
it inoperable. Please read the legal disclaimer on the Copyright page before
attempting to make your own external power supply.
Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D300
V1.02
38
).
Page 92