Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello techsupport,

I am very frustrated about my VAGABOND MINI which arrived yesterday. After reading the manual and recharging the battery until the LEAD LIGHT turned GREEN, I tested it with my ALIEN BEE 800 and to my surprise, it doesn't work. I thought it's a loose connection but after a couple of tries, it's really not working.

I own two AB800 230V + ONE BRAND NEW VM 230V. I tried plugging ONE BEE at a time but bought fail to power up. The VM would say 3/4+ Power, but when I turn on the BEE, it will shutdown. I waited for 30DAYS for these items to arrive only to find out that I can't use them outdoors (where all my shoots happen). Worse thing is, I'm from PHILIPPINES.

I hope this is nothing serious.

Have you checked the fuse on the Vagabond?

The VAGABOND seems to be working. all the 3 GREEN LEDS are lit ......... it just powers down whenever I TURN ON the BEES

okay, so what about the fuse? check out the photo below! I'm getting paranoid here, does this have something to do with my ADAPTER? it's not a 3 PRONG adapter. but it doesn't make any sense because the CORD that comes with it has no GROUND CONNECTION as well.

is there anything i can do to fix this problem?

Do you mean the lights are on initially, but when you plug something in, the lights go out? Or they stay on and there is no power from the outlets?

The adapter you are showing; is it to adapt the lights' power cord or is it used for charging the VML?

I charged the VM, when I plugged my AB800 and turned it ON, the VM shuts down. I tried it again and again and the same thing happens :(

OK, plug the VML in as though you are charging it, and turn it on. With it "charging" and on, connect one Alien Bee and switch it on. Do you see a change in behavior?


Also, I still need to know if that white adapter is used when charging the VML, or for adapting the cord that came with your lights.

If you are using that adapter for the lights, then it can cause problems. Best bet would be to get a power cable that has the three prongs. These are the same as standard computer cables.

Hi,

The VML's charging cord is the one that came with the box.


Everything seems to be working as what the photo shows. This was taken before I posted this reply.

You said to plug the BEE while the VM is charged. I tried that, and the same thing happens. Only this time, the VM turns ON and OFF because, maybe, it's being connected to an AC.

This is the adapter that I used to connect the VM and the FLASH cord. (because I don't have the 230V 3 Prong cord from your website)







I thought using the more expensive ADAPTER would do the trick. But the same thing happened. The VM shuts down the moment I turn on my ALIEN BEE 800.

I spoke to JOE from PCB and he told me to buy a new adapter because maybe (which I thought of it too) is the problem child behind all these.


thanks

Try plugging in a small desk lamp or fan into the VML. Does it still shut down?