WARNING: Fuji GFX "Kastar" car charger does not work!

[JRBERNSTEIN]

Just a heads up to all the Fujifilm GFX 50S users out there...

I have been on the lookout for a car charger ever since the launch, as there's no Fujifilm OEM version.

There is a Kastar dual battery charger for the GFX out there on eBay that is described as a 110v-240v AC and car charger. However, no car has a high enough DC voltage to power the charger for the GFX batteries.

I have informed the seller, who insists there are "some European cars" with a high enough voltage, but this is just hogwash! They seem to have no intention of changing the description or pulling the product.

So BUYER BEWARE!

 

[kdphotography]

Is the charger otherwise good as a dual bay Fuji GFX AC charger?

 

[JRBERNSTEIN]

Otherwise, it seems fine as a dual charger.

I haven't done extensive testing or anything, so I can't attest to the charger's ability to charge and maintain the batteries for the best longevity or anything.

I'm going to pick up a voltage step-up device to see if I can hack it and get it to work in the car. I'll report back with the results.

 

[JRBERNSTEIN]

Update:

I finally got around to fixing the problem.

In short, this charger needs more voltage than a car can provide, in order to charge the Fujifilm batteries.

So I bought a 5A DC-DC voltage booster, here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5A-DC-DC-Boost-Step-up-3v-35v-to-5-40v-5v-6v-9v-12v-24v-36v-Adjustable-Converter/322592262131

All you have to do is cut your car charger wire in half, bare and tin the four exposed ends, screw them down to their respective + and - terminals on the boost board. Shrinkwrap the whole thing or put it in a mini box, and you're set to go.

Needless to say, this should not be the case for a charger that's sold as a car charger! But it seems like the only option right now if you need it (yes, you could use a 12v DC to 110v AC inverter, but they're very inefficient and if you're going off-grid, like I do, that's not practical).