Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

Has anybody tried plugging your ALIEN BEE to an APC UPS power source as an alternative for the Vegabond Mini / Vegabond?

My friend told me that it is okay but haven't really tried it yet. I own an ALIEN BEE 800




thanks

I won't say it would never work, but It would need to be able to handle the surge in power consumption from the light when fired, as well as be a pure sine wave inverter. As well, the battery would need to be relatively large to get useful amounts of power from it, and it would be heavy and expensive (bottom line dollar amount may be less than a VML, but on a bang-for-buck basis, not so much). Most UPS's are designed for a steady draw for a relatively short period of time. Not being a computer nut, I do not know what the likely hood of getting a pure sinewave UPS is.


Bottom line, I would not recommend it.

Thank you so much for that honest answer sir =) I know it was a long shot but I would take your advise. And besides, I did the math. If I buy an APC, it will cost the same as the Vegabond Mini. LOL it's a lot heavier too!

Also,

There is a chance a UPS, with it's non sine output, can damage the light . . . any flash. Also, a non sine inverter will not allow the modeling lamps to dim properly (though they out to be off anyhow to conserve battery power).

Hi techs,

I have another question about ALIENBEES and it's MOBILE POWER SOURCE. PCB products do not ship to my country, so I was thinking of getting an alternative power supply. I found one called EXPLORER XT 1200WS by INNOVATRONIX. It says PURE SINEWAVE though, is this okay for my ALIENBEES?

http://www.innovatronix.com/explorerXT.asp



thanks

I know for a fact that surplus APC SmartUPS units are being used successfully to power studio lights by several individuals. The SmartUPS units do have pure sine wave inverters. I have no idea what kind of recycling times and endurance they provide but they do work. They are also very heavy.

Do yourself a favor, buy a VML or two and be happy.

Dave F.

Look at the Innovatronix compatibility chart:

http://innovatronix.com/compatib.asp

The answer to your question is "yes".

Dave F.

Tronix should work fine, as well, you may want to check with PCB Australia for the Vagabond Mini.

So last TUESDAY, I tested the AB800 with the TRONIX at my place and it seems to be working. Although I only did a couple of test flashes just to see if the power stays or the flash fires.

No this afternoon, I was assigned to take portraits of runners on a local highschool and to my horror, my ALIENBEE 800 does not fire anymore. After a couple of flashes, it stopped. So I checked the TRONIX if it's drained but it's not. I quickly unplugged the AB800 and went home and plugged it to a WALL OUTLET. The power of the AB still turns on, but it no longer fires. There is a light flicker on the FLASH BULB and the MODELING LIGHT is not working as well.

I read the compatibility chart from INNOVATRONIX and it says AB400, AB800, AB1600 is okay.

Now, since I can not get any tech-support from US, what are my options here to fix my AB800?

Are you using any remotes with the unit? Particularly ones that use the "remote" jack? Was the Tronix the same voltage rating as the B800 (ie both are 240V or both are 120V)? Make sure your flash tubes are fully seated by pressing in on them with the light unplugged. Are you getting a green ready light?