Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

You might want to check the pins of the RJ-11 jack on the receivers and the strobes. One of the pins might get stuck or bent. Just a thought.

my mailbox may be acting like my RX, it's still empty :?

What was the eventual resolution to this?

I am having very similar problems with a brand new (delivered 1/3) CC and CSRB+ units. My workaround in learning the system last night was to remove the CSRB+ from the cord, pop out the batteries, count to 5, and put them back in. I then hit "refresh" on the CC and everything was back working for awhile. The problem was happening randomly last night but sometimes would occur with more than one unit at the same time. Not too hard to do with the mains, but a @$@!)#& hassle when trying to pull down the hair light from the ceiling (the biggest reason I wanted the CC system). Everything was plugged in fine and the batteries were the new ones that came with the units.

When this occurred, the CSRB+ units that had the problem seemed to "ignore" the CC. The green light on the CSRB+ flashed in the single blink/1-second-per-blink mode and never blinked red when I was hitting the fire button on the CC. Pulling and resetting the batteries seems to always fix the problem. I had this happen on 3 different occasions last night.

Fortunately, I am just testing/learning, but do have a shoot on 1/10, so hope to get it more reliable by then.

Will try to get more debug pattern today, but was hoping someone else had solved this in the past. This seems to be the closest thread describing my problem.

Thanks.

-Mike

Are you able to get adjustment when this happens? Try reseating the channel and frequency dials. If they are a bit off, you may find intermittent communication.

Been having the same problems as described for months now with the CC, CSR+ and the CSRB+ units.

I'll try pulling the batteries next time like FairfieldPhoto suggests for the CSRB+ just to see if that "solves" the problem for a bit till a solution can finally be found. I have 2 CSRB+s that choke at different times, 1 attached to an AB 800 (AC powered) and 1 to a 580ex2 (on battery powered).

All 3 of my CSR+ have had these same problems as well.

So basically all my wireless units have problems including the CC. Its worse when shooting jewelry (which is the core of my business) and I dont notice it at first and need to re-shoot an entire series because I thought I was done and moved my studio stand or the arm (multiple exposure kinda stuff). Its even worse when a new client is there watching me reshoot everything...faulty equipment just doesnt inspire the new client to become a repeat client.

Although I have used 2 lights on location I am mostly a studio shooter so I packed the entire lighting kit up and tried it at 3 different locations to eliminate "its your AC power". The same problems started to appear at all locations, with different units...In the studio the lights are on there own breakers and the studio is wired separately from the house.

My CC doesnt usually become unresponsive, just whatever unit is screwed up at the time becomes unresponsive to any changes made on the CC. But sometimes the CC becomes completely unresponsive and can only be "fixed" be removing and reinserting the SD.

Ive also tried the basic change freq / change channel / change heads / change units / change batteries in CC to magic batteries / swap cords and wires for known good wires.

At this point I am at a complete loss of what to try. I am waiting (and waiting) for my Einsteins to come which I will swap with my 2x 1600s and 1 CSR+ (I couldnt swap my 2x800s as they were over the 90days but not by much...I would have if I could but whatever). Hopefully the Einsteins will work better.

Even so, I'll still be stuck with 2 800s, 2 CSR+ and 2 CRSB+ and a CC that needs a solution.

If only I knew then, what I know now. I would have just gone with PWs. Sure they cost more & they dont control my lights, but neither does the CC. And that was the whole reason I invested in the PW system.

I have had the problem go away, but I can't say I know exactly what solved it.

One of the problems I had was a bad cord from the CSRB+ and the AB800. I swapped in a new one I made and that seemed to solve some of the intermittent firing problems on that light (plus a modeling light that came and off on its own).

The other thing I did was to reset all of the frequency and channel settings to make sure they were right in the middle of their detent positions.

I also follow the turn-on procedures to the letter for the ABs -- I disconnect the CSRB+s, turn on the Alien Bees, turn on the CSRB+ units, and then plug the telco cord from the AB into the CSRB.

I am also using the "refresh" command button on the CC more frequently. I make adjustments on the CC then hit the "refresh" button to make sure the settings where transmitted.

Of the multiple test sessions I have done this week, I haven't had any CSRB+ lockups (knock on wood).

When this whole system works, it is truly a thing of beauty! New people to these lights need to remember to "pop" the lights after reducing power remotely to ensure you dump the excess power in the capacitors before taking a fresh reading, otherwise you will go nuts chasing your tail trying to get the levels right.

Cyber Commander and CyberSync works as advertised, but the learning curve is not trivial. You have a lot of control over the settings and groups but with that amount of control comes a responsibility to read the documentation, scour the message board, and practice A LOT before putting this in front of paying customers.

Will post back here if I encounter more problems with the receivers locking up.

I have a modeling light problem on two of the lights much as you describe. Thing keeps coming on when I stick it in standby and sometimes the light goes off even when in standby but not at the power its set too, much lower, like a trickle. This problem comes and goes. I'll try new cords, again, when I get the chance. (Have to find some cords...unless PB wants to send me some known good ones ;) )

Thanks Fairfield!

I bought mine at Radio Shack. They had little 6" ones that worked fine. I added a split ring to the CSRB+ and then hanged the receiver from a small vinyl cord so there wasn't any strain on the telco cord.

I still had flaky problems at my first full CC shoot tonight. Going to talk to PCB staff on Tuesday to see if they can shed light on the problem or what I am doing wrong in the setup.

Once it started working tonight, it was great. I just need a way to boost my confidence that it will work when I have a line of 10 screaming kids waiting for photos -- can't be dinking with settings then.

-M

Thats the worst part of my issues as well. Until the system works reliably the fear of equipment problems lingers, messing with my confidence. And once I lose a bit of confidence the client picks up on that and well... :(

Keep sharing your ordeal, it may help others (including me of course :) )

Steve

Are you going to ImagingUSA in Texas? Might be useful to connect there, get our stories together, and then stop by the Buff booth.

-M