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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Using Your LIGHTS on Location!!
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 12/28/2004 04:44:39 PM · #1
Yes, I am wondering how many of your kind folks are using your lighting on outdoor locations away from power sources? If it is so, then what are you be using for your powering?

I see many times on TV where they are outdoors using the nice flashes lights on locations in interesting locations far from power sources that i would like to do also instead of bondage confined to studio only.

Please note i am not talking abouts the portable flashes like canon 550ex or i am again also notting talking about the lighting continuous or the flash lighting with built in power.

I having the kind of lighting with lights connected to a large separate powerpack and i was hoping it would be working as like a battery pack away from studio but no no no i am quite very wrong. Are there any choices alternative ideas that can help in this kind of situation? is dragging an additional power generator the only choice here?

my many thanks for your experienced inputing!
 12/28/2004 05:08:04 PM · #2
One word - Generator
 12/28/2004 05:20:20 PM · #3
Generator works or you can take the Alien Bees portable battery pack. I have the Vagabond V300 and it works for numerous flashes with two AlienBee B800 (320 true wattseconds; 800 effective wattseconds) attached.

Kev

12/28/2004 06:15:23 PM · #4
Actually, I was wondering the same thing. I have 3 Hensel Integra 500watt monolights. Will this Alien Bee battery pack work with them? If so, on the chart on the alien bee website, would i read the 600-640ws grid since my flashes are 500watts and get 400+ flashes like it says?

Thanks much.

Eric
 12/28/2004 07:04:53 PM · #5
Originally posted by KevinRiggs:
Generator works or you can take the Alien Bees portable battery pack. I have the Vagabond V300 and it works for numerous flashes with two AlienBee B800 (320 true wattseconds; 800 effective wattseconds) attached.

Kev


I don't have the battery pack, i just bring lots and lots of thick gauge extension cords!
 12/28/2004 09:17:26 PM · #6
Eric,
I don't know how you'd read those lights on the grid. I'd suggest that you contact AlienBees in Nashville. In my experience they have proven helpful in working through questions regarding their equipment even when they may not have a sale in the offing. Toll-free number 1-877-714-3381

EricLimon,
See, if I'd known that was how you made all those cool shots I'd have stopped lugging that damned battery pack around and invested in the extension cords. Is there a special brand that helps you get more artistic compositions or does anything below 10-gauge seem to help? Next time you pick some up, buy a set for me and just e-mail the price to me; I'm sure I'm good for it.
:)

Kev
 12/28/2004 09:24:48 PM · #7
Can't you make batteries from potatoes? I'm in potato country here ... I coud lug around a couple of barrels of spuds with me.
 12/28/2004 09:33:04 PM · #8
Extension cords don't work at the beach :)
 12/28/2004 09:34:36 PM · #9
Originally posted by Jacko:
Can't you make batteries from potatoes? I'm in potato country here ... I coud lug around a couple of barrels of spuds with me.


Do you know what the re-charge time is using couple of those? And are their any comparison charts available comparing Idaho's vs Yukon Golds etc...

Also, do you have any info on whether yams are compatible with potatoes? I have a couple of really large yams already and would like to continue useing my existing set-up if possible.

Any info would be great!
 12/28/2004 09:42:09 PM · #10
//www.lastolite.com/reflectors.html

Message edited by author 2004-12-28 21:43:10.
 12/28/2004 10:35:38 PM · #11
I actually make use of a generator.



It is a Honda EU3000is and it is terrific. I strongly advise against using just any old generator as most are not stable enough or properly regulated for fine electronic equipment, such as stand alone flash heads. I used four Elinchrom 600s flash heads and this generator is perfect for this application.

This unit is based upon an unique inverter technology that produces a clean sine wave of energy that results in no surging, spikes, brown-outs, over or under voltage, or excessive electrical interference or electronic noise.

It is a very quiet unit acoustically and can run for about 20 hours on a full tank of gas. The down side is that it weights in at over 130 lbs (wet). I rent a U-Haul garden trailer with a drop down tailgate / ramp that allows me to just roll it in and strap it down.
 12/29/2004 01:49:26 PM · #12
I think the alienbee route is better than carrying around a 130 pound generator!!! Geez, I want to be able to get down to secluded beach where slight climbing is needed.. I called alienbee but there battery pack doesn't work with any other strobes except their own. I might just have to invest in 1 strobe and the V150 battery pack... I'm sure that would be enough flash for taking people portraits at the beach during sunset.

With that said, that generator would be awesome if you could drive right up to the place where your shoot is! How much was that honda generator?

Message edited by author 2004-12-29 13:50:28.
 12/29/2004 02:37:17 PM · #13
Originally posted by photomayhem:
I think the alienbee route is better than carrying around a 130 pound generator!!! Geez, I want to be able to get down to secluded beach where slight climbing is needed.. I called alienbee but there battery pack doesn't work with any other strobes except their own. I might just have to invest in 1 strobe and the V150 battery pack... I'm sure that would be enough flash for taking people portraits at the beach during sunset.

With that said, that generator would be awesome if you could drive right up to the place where your shoot is! How much was that honda generator?


You are right. Hauling around a generator is not the answer for everyone. That is for sure! But, it works for the type of photography that I do and I can access the locations with the SUV and trailer. So, it does work for the sort of application that I described where AC power is not accessible. A good generator costs around $2,000.00.

In other situations, I make use of four Nikon SB-800 strobes mounted on Manfrotto light stands and with umbrellas. These strobes run on AA batteries. I use rechargeable batteries and have a large quantity of them. But, this solution has a limited range that it can illuminate.

Here are two examples of a control room shoot. These control rooms use a special technical power that I was not permitted to use. So, either remote AC with the Elinchrom flash heads was needed or battery powered flashguns were required. Since the shoot was indoors and on the 8th floor of a downtown office tower, I obviously decided to go with the DC powered flashguns as the best approach.





It is not perfect. But, with a few hours of Photoshop work, they were made presentable for a magazine article that was published. The biggest problem is getting the levels right and avoiding reflections.

Since the television operator only permited me 45 minutes from start to finish to get the shots, it was a high-speed shoot, to say the least.

Here is the article with the finished images if you care to compare.

Next Generation Display Technology

Message edited by author 2004-12-29 14:42:24.
 12/29/2004 04:09:52 PM · #14
Thanks for the detailed response! Good job in your photo shoot where time was critical!
 12/29/2004 05:50:47 PM · #15
Thanking you for those which helped! I was greatly afraid of the only answer choice of using a generator and am bummed. After looking a bit I found this typing of generator:

//www.colemanpowermate.com/generators/pm0401855.shtml

I know not much about electricity and Morgan your detailing of "pure sine energy" has me worried about accessing the wrong type of generator, but can you or anyone tell me if this is a good one? My separate powerpack for my lighting is 2400watts max but if i am not to use fully and keeping under 1500 wattage I can using this then, yes? Please correcting if incorrect! I am looking elsewhere but cannot find lighter and not too wimpy generator unless anyone know?

My humble bumble thanks!

(spazmo99 institutionalized quote?!)

Message edited by author 2004-12-29 17:52:18.
 12/29/2004 10:04:19 PM · #16
Originally posted by Photobabble:
Thanking you for those which helped! I was greatly afraid of the only answer choice of using a generator and am bummed. After looking a bit I found this typing of generator:

//www.colemanpowermate.com/generators/pm0401855.shtml

I know not much about electricity and Morgan your detailing of "pure sine energy" has me worried about accessing the wrong type of generator, but can you or anyone tell me if this is a good one? My separate powerpack for my lighting is 2400watts max but if i am not to use fully and keeping under 1500 wattage I can using this then, yes? Please correcting if incorrect! I am looking elsewhere but cannot find lighter and not too wimpy generator unless anyone know?

My humble bumble thanks!

(spazmo99 institutionalized quote?!)


It is difficult to answer your question without a close examination of the technical details. On the surface, it does not appear to be a good fit. This generator can run at 1500 watts, yet you state that your lights need 2400 watts. So, this may be a problem.

I can not see any information that indicates that this generator is stabilized or regulated. So, this may be another concern. I would not buy it until you are 100% sure that it is a good match for your needs. I am sorry that I can not be more helpful, but I lack information to provide a comprehensive answer.
 03/07/2007 07:54:48 AM · #17
Hi All,

Sorry to drag this topic back up but i have an Elinchrom D-Lite2 kit and was wondering about a cost effective way to use them in locations without available mains power sockets.

I know Elinchrom make a battery pack but it's over a £1000 which is way over my budget for this occasional use item.

So would a Pure Sine Wave inverter plugged into a car 12v outlet power these flash units?

Also on a slightly different note, i have (on order at least) a speedlite 430EX, are there any reasonably priced (i.e. not as much as a new flash) triggers that will fire this in slave mode off camera?

I'm based in the UK if that makes a difference?

Thanks for any help
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