What Is a Battery Grip Power Cable For? FBP4500 Explained
By District Camera | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
A battery grip power cable links a high-voltage power pack to a flash, not to your camera grip. Learn what the Promaster FBP4500 cable does and when you need one.
Quick answer
A battery grip power cable like the Promaster FBP4500 cable connects a compatible flash’s external power port to a high-voltage power pack, so the flash can run from the pack instead of AA batteries. It does not connect a battery grip to your camera.
Why the name can mislead you
Battery grips and battery packs both add power, so the terms get mixed up. A camera battery grip sits under the camera and holds camera batteries. A high-voltage pack like the FBP4500 powers a flash through a cable. The cable in this article belongs to the second setup, not the first.
That distinction matters when you shop. If you need longer camera runtime, look at a grip that matches your camera model. If you need faster flash recycling or more flashes per charge, look at a flash power pack and the correct cable for your flash.
When a high-voltage flash cable is worth adding
The main trade-off is speed versus simplicity. A power pack can keep a compatible flash running through a long event, but it adds a pack, a cable, and another thing to charge and carry. For a short portrait session, fresh AA batteries may be all you need.
The cable is also flash-specific. The Promaster FBP4500 cable uses a connector type for Nikon and other flashes with that external power port, but it is not a universal fit. Check your flash manual for an external power port and connector type before buying.
Cable length is another practical limit. The coiled cable reaches about 2 meters at maximum working length, which is enough for a pack on a light stand or belt but not for stretching across a large set.
FBP4500 cable questions, answered
- Does this cable connect to a camera battery grip?
- No. It connects a compatible flash’s external power port to a high-voltage power pack. Camera battery grips use their own battery contacts and do not use this cable.
- What is the FBP4500 power cable for?
- It lets you run a compatible flash from the FBP4500 power system instead of internal batteries. Use it when you want fewer battery changes during a long shoot.
- Will it fit my Nikon or Sony flash?
- Fit depends on the flash having the matching external power port, not on the camera brand alone. Check your flash manual or the port itself; if it lacks that port, this cable will not work. Confirm the port type before you buy, especially for Sony flashes.
- How long is the cable, and does that limit me?
- It is a coiled cable with about 2 meters maximum working length. That suits a pack on a belt or nearby stand, but not a pack placed across a large studio floor.
- Do I still need batteries in the flash?
- Follow your flash and power pack instructions. Many setups use the external pack as the main power source, but the exact behavior depends on the flash model and pack.
Product facts
- Promaster 7631 FBP4500 Nikon Power Cable: High-voltage coiled cable with a connector for Nikon and other flashes that have this type of external power port. It only helps if your flash has a matching external power port, so confirm compatibility before ordering.
Promaster 7631 FBP4500 Nikon Power Cable - Promaster 7631 FBP4500 Nikon Power Cable: Approximately 2 meters maximum working length. Plan where the power pack will sit; a longer run may need a different cable or a closer pack position.
