Using a V mount battery for Canon R6 is a popular choice. It works great for long shoots, live video work, and full-rig setups. It lasts much longer than standard LP-E6NH batteries. It allows you to power multiple accessories from one source, monitors, wireless transmitters, and more.
In this article, we will break down two ways to use it to power the R6. Read on to get the ideas.
Before you start, check the power requirement of Canon R6
The Canon R6 normally uses a battery pack such as the LP-E6NH, which is also compatible with LP-E6N or LP-E6. According to Canon’s official specs, a fully charged LP-E6NH provides roughly 4 hours and 15 minutes of continuous Live View shooting, or about 1 hour and 20 minutes of 4K UHD video recording.
For photographers and videographers who shoot a lot—especially long sessions, timelapse, or video—the standard battery can run out quickly. That’s when an external, larger-capacity battery becomes useful. A V mount battery for Canon R6 is a popular choice for extended shoots. It can keep your camera running all day and even power other accessories like monitors.
Before setting up a V-mount battery, consider how long you plan to shoot and what kind of work you’ll be doing. If it’s mostly photos, a standard battery may be enough. But for heavy video work or long sessions, external power can save time and prevent interruptions.
The LP-E6NH battery outputs about 7.2 V and has a capacity of around 2130 mAh. When using a V-mount battery or any external supply, it’s important to match the standard battery’s characteristics. That means aiming for an output voltage close to 7–8 V DC. Many dummy battery or DC-coupler solutions for the LP-E6 series output around 8.4 V (regulated), which works well with the R6.
For V-mount batteries with a USB-C PD port:
Power the EOS R6 via the USB-C port
The Canon EOS R6 supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), which allows the camera to draw external power for operation and, in many cases, charge the internal battery (typically when the camera is powered off or in standby).
This capability makes it ideal for long shoots, livestreaming, interviews, and outdoor productions where running the R6 from high-capacity V-mount batteries is often necessary.
To work properly, the power source must negotiate PD at 9V or 15V; simple 5V USB power is not enough. The output must be capable of providing at least 30W (many users recommend 45W or higher PD output) to overcome the camera's consumption while running.
🛠️Gear Needed
- V-mount battery with USB-C PD (9V/15V) output
- USB-C to USB-C PD-certified cable
- Optional: USB-C PD meter (to confirm negotiated voltage)
📝How to
- Connect the USB-C PD cable to the V-mount battery.
- Plug the other end into the R6’s USB-C port.
- Turn on the V-mount battery if needed.
- Power on the camera; it should show the external power icon.
Pros
🟢Seamless Power Backup: If the external V-mount battery fails or gets disconnected, the camera automatically and instantly switches to its internal battery without interruption, reducing the risk of corrupted files.
🟢Simple & Clean Setup: Uses a single cable connection without requiring an external adapter or dummy battery.
🟢PD-Regulated Safety: Provides safe, PD-regulated power tailored to the camera's needs.
🟢Dual Functionality: Supports camera operation and internal battery charging
🟢No Dummy Battery Needed: Eliminates the complexity and potential failure points of a dummy battery system.
Cons
🔴Requires True PD Output: Only works with V-mount batteries that offer genuine USB-C PD output (not just simple 5V output).
🔴Negotiation Risk: Issues can arise if the battery or cable fails the PD negotiation process, preventing proper power delivery.
🔴Lower Max Wattage: PD ports often provide a lower maximum wattage compared to the battery's D-tap or DC outputs.
Shop the Moman Power 99 99Wh V‑mount battery with USB‑C PD 3.0 port
For V-mount batteries without a USB-C PD port:
Power the Canon R6 via a Dummy Battery
Using a dummy battery is a traditional and highly reliable method for powering the Canon EOS R6 from high-capacity external sources like V-mount batteries, especially if the V-mount battery lacks a dedicated USB-C PD output.
⚙️Core Principle
The EOS R6 uses an LP-E6NH/N battery, which operates nominally around 7.2V to 8.4V. A dummy battery system works by:
Inserting a plastic battery substitute (the dummy battery) into the camera's battery compartment.
The dummy battery is wired to an external connector (usually a D-Tap or DC port).
A voltage regulator/converter is used to step down the high voltage of the V-mount battery (typically 14.4V) to the required 7.2V - 8.4V for the camera.
🛠️Gear Needed
- V-mount Battery: Standard V-mount battery (outputting 14.4V).
- LP-E6/E6N/E6NH Dummy Battery: Must be compatible with the R6.
- D-Tap to DC Converter Cable (Crucial): This cable is essential. It plugs into the V-mount's D-Tap port and includes a voltage regulator to step the 14.4V down to the 7.2V - 8.4V required by the dummy battery.
- DC Coupler: The connector on the converter cable must match the connector on the dummy battery.
📝How to
- Insert the Dummy Battery: Place the LP-E6NH dummy battery into the R6's battery slot and close the door, ensuring the cable passes cleanly through the rubber gasket access point on the door.
- Connect the Converter: Plug the D-Tap end of the D-Tap to DC Converter Cable into the V-mount battery.
- Connect to Dummy: Connect the DC end of the converter cable to the dummy battery connector (or directly to the dummy battery if they are a single unit).
- Power On: Turn on the V-mount battery (if needed), then power on the camera. The camera should recognize the external power source.
Pros
🟢High Compatibility: Works with virtually all V-mount batteries, regardless of whether they have a USB-C PD port.
🟢Stable High Power: Utilizes the high current capability of the V-mount's D-Tap port, providing extremely stable power for long durations and high-demand recording (e.g., 4K or slow-motion).
🟢Proven Reliability: It is a long-established, industry-standard method for camera powering.
Cons
🔴No Seamless Backup: Major Drawback. If the V-mount battery dies or the D-Tap cable is disconnected, power cuts off instantly. This significantly increases the risk of file corruption and system failure.
🔴Cluttered Setup: Requires multiple components (dummy battery, regulator cable, V-mount) and more cables, leading to a less clean rig.
🔴Voltage Regulator Required: You must use a cable with a built-in voltage converter to step 14.4V down to 8V; connecting 14.4V directly to the camera will destroy it.
