DIY Portable Power!

[Spoolin]

Hey everyone!

I saw it done already on this forum, and have to thank whoever it was that posted up that thread.
I did have some problems at the start, but the issue was quickly fixed (I was sold the wrong inverter)

I purchased the following:

- 500W True Sine Wave Power Inverter
- Deep cycle car battery
- Power leads and connectors
- 4 stage battery charger
- Tool box

The total cost was $500 AUD (roughly $400 US)

I was able to shoot over 200 images yesterday using a Alien Bee 800 with plenty of battery to spare.

I just wanted to thank everyone who was able to help me out and get this working! :)

Couple of quick pictures:

http://www.chrisbennyimaging.com/photos/emma/emma005.jpg

http://www.chrisbennyimaging.com/photos/emma/port.jpg

http://www.chrisbennyimaging.com/photos/portable/port001.jpg

http://www.chrisbennyimaging.com/photos/portable/port002.jpg

If your wondering what the screwdriver is, I use it as a grounding spike.

I'm now looking forward to next weeks shoot.

Chris.

[Lotto]

Super! Now can we see a close up of that inverter/battery setup?

[motion_projekt]

who cares about the battey...close up for the girl in the first pic!

haha...pretty smooth set up.

[René Damkot]

Nice.
However on the first shot, if the flash is used as main light, I'd let it come from roughly the same direction as the light in the BG (on the houses in the distance) ;)

[Spoolin]

Thanks guys.

Lotto, Of course! I updated my first post for you.

Chris.

[Olm02R]

that's awesome mate. :) might give it a go and do one myself. were bouts in Syd. you from dude?

Jeff

[Croasdail]

How many watts is the inverter rated at? Looks like a workable enough solution for a lot of applications.

[Lightstream]

Good on ya mate :) I like your setup!

How many amp-hours is that battery?

The Bee is a 'burst load', it will pull down a lot of juice while charging, but after charging it doesn't consume too much to keep it running (apart from the modelling light). Turning off the modelling light, especially if you cannot see it during daylight when there is too much light, helps.

[yarnos]

Well done!!! its a bwety :lol: where did you purchase the invertor! what are the specs?

Love your images! post your setups as they are intresting!!:D

keep the good work up!

[Curtis N]

Thank you for sharing this.
A link to the inverter manufacturer's site, and a brand and model number, would be helpful.
I would also be interested to know how many lights can be powered with this system. What happens when you plug 2 or 3 lights into it?

I would also note that for those of us in the western hemisphere, the 120v version of this system will have different specifications, and possibly different limitations.

... and I would use a longer grounding spike if at all possible, just to be on the safe side.

[vladnl]

Now that's interesting. How about sharing links and infos so I can educate myself a little bit more on this topic? :) My main question is, what should I look for when buying inverter. I've found one affordable with following specs:
Max input current 50A
Permanent output load: 500W
Peak output load: 1000W
Would that be good enought :)
Anyway, guys, please provide links if possible, I'd appreciate that. I might build one myself in close future.
Thanks OP for triggering another DIY project for me.
Cheers
Vlad

[René Damkot]

It would need to be a 'True Sine Wave' converter. Not a 'modified sine wave'.
Here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=321730&highlight=true+sine) is what went before this thread ;)

[Croasdail]

Interesting. I may just plunk down for the AB version...but this is very tempting.

[olz]

Wow... great setup. You need to add "sack truck" to the total cost though :)

[rickydiver]

Nice set up you have there:)
Can any of you technical guys out there tell me if this (http://www.powersuppliesonline.co.uk/product/600w-12v-60a-i-p-to-220v-o-p-true-sine-inverter/n90aa/default.htm) invertor would be suitable to power 2 Gemini 500w lights via a car battery? Any help appreciated, I know Bowens make a battery pack for these lights but this would also benefit in allowing charging of laptop etc via the car.
Cheers Ricky

[Spoolin]

Olm02R: Im in the Northern Beaches area.

Croasdail: Its a 500W Inverter.

Lightstream: Im not too sure, I will check tomorrow for you.

yarnos: I purchased the Inverter from Jaycar Electronics.
The above shot was taken with a 30D, 24-70L, AB1600 with a standard reflector.

Curtis N: I still haven't plugged in more than 1 light, but I will try more than one and let you know how it goes. (Im guessing that recycle time will be the only issue.) At the moment, I see no difference in recycle time of my AB1600 when its plugged into a AC outlet, or the inverter.

Ricky: I wouldn't be sure what inverter you would need, but If you can take a battery and flashes to the store and try out a couple of different inverters. (Just make sure its a True Sine Wave Inverter)

I will be shooting at the beach on Wed, so I will post some more shots then!

Chris.

[johncockburn]

Ricky,

Had a look at the Bowens wbsite and they say the heads are protected with a 5 amp fuse, so in the worst case your heads could draw a maximum of 1200 Watts EACH before the fuse blows (5 Amps x 240 Volts). I would doubt that the heads would draw anything like this when in normal use.

My wee pidley 150W/s heads have a 6 Amp fuse and I just checked the power draw with a multimeter and it is, on average, 2.2 Amps. This will give a peak load of 528 Watts per head for my 150 heads.

I guess the only way to find out for sure is to measure the peak Amps. Give me a shout if you want this done.

[mcmadkat]

Out of interest, do you need the earth spike (screwdriver)? I use a inverter set up wired into my car and I just use the car earth which is just the neg side of the battery.