Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I'm having a problem with my Vagabond Mini Lithium power supply. Recently, it's been acting up. In the past, I've just run it for many photo shoots and when it gets to about 1/4 power, I'll charge it overnight. I've been running it in this manner for about 1.5 years now. It's lasting me about 1000 shots between charges.

I've probably used it for about 15,000 shots (1 AB400 usually running about 1/8 to 1/2 power for each shot). So I've probably charged the unit 15 times.

Now I'll charge it and it'll last 1 or 2 photo shoots (60-100 shots each). It will read 3/4 power, and then suddenly die. Is this normal? Is the battery done for already? I've owned it for 1.5 years now.

Are you sure you have the model lamps turned off? Also, can you hear the fan running just before the unit shuts down?

I don't have modelling lamps in the sockets (never use them). The fan does run, and I usually fire off a few flashes and then the whole unit dies. From 3/4 power to nothing at all. Then I go in search of an ac outlet and keep on going on my shoot. so the flash works fine.

I just charged it overnight and tried popping the flash manually (no camera), and I must have fired over 50 shots at full power with no ill effect. But the 3/4 power to zero has happened on 3 different shoots now.

Could the 3/4 power indicator be wrong? and it is really much much lower? The indicator lights take about 30 seconds to indicate the battery level. But it has done that from day 1.

Or is the battery failing? Is it normal to fail after 1.5 years? I don't consider 10k flashes too many for the unit, at least I dont think it should be too many.

30s for the fuel gauge to come up is normal on the older VML's.

Do all indicator lights go out, including the LED next to the USB?

Have you tried starting the unit back up sometime after it quits to see if it will turn on (this could be an over heat symptom)?

Yup. All lights go out and there is absolutely nothing. I have let it sit for a while and tried to power back up and nothing. At first I thought I blew the 30A fuse. But no, it does work as of right now.

Thanks for being so fast with the replies.

Without having it here for us to test, we cannot say for sure what the problem is. However, It sounds like the issue is a defective component in the battery controller, which shuts the battery off at a higher than normal voltage.

A replacement battery would likely work, and likely not repeat the problem. However, to be sure of the problem, we would need to take a look at the unit as a whole.

It's out of warranty but I'd be happy to send it in, charger and all. I can do without it for a while. I purchased it 7/2011 about 1.75 years ago.

I would contact the repair department first to see what pricing will be. It may make more sense to buy a battery. If it fixes the problem, then great. If not, it can be returned and the unit sent in for repair.

If the unit is sent in and it only needs a battery, then there will be the battery cost, plus the repair cost.

I just ran into this same problem on a shoot today. I keep the unit plugged in for storage so it's always topped off. I got on-site today, plugged in the first light, first shot - lost power. All LEDS off, and it would not come back on until I got back home and plugged in the wall charger.

Like the OP, it shows full charge slowly, but it's acting like the batt is dead. The charger goes red for 10 seconds after plugging it in, it thinks it's full and goes to green. But the first pop, it's drained and shuts off. I too am between 1 and 2 years, out of warranty :(

I just ordered a new battery.

Since the original posts, my unit has now been functioning well. It I shot 5 photoshoots on monday with it and it slowly progressed from 3/4 power to 1/4 power like it should. I have not replaced anything or sent it in at all.