Alienbees - Pocketwizards - Problems

[holrd]

I have two AB800's and 3 pocketwizards. I went to radioshack today, bought 2 6ft mini mono to mini mono cords. I set everything up, trying to test everything to see if it all works as advertised and when i click the test button nothing. I checked that i was on the correct settings, even hooking up my 580 with a paramount adapter cord and that worked but not the AB800's. I took the supplied cord that came with the AB800's and hooked it up to my light meter and it worked fine, flashes fired with no problem. What am i doing wrong here.

I searched and didnt see anything in the forums.

Anyone else eer have this problem??

Thanks
Ryan

[TMR Design]

I'm not sure what the exact problem is but I can guarantee you there is no incompatibility. Myself and others have used PW's with Alien Bees without a single glitch or problem. This is not a known issue or problem and I am sure the problem lies elsewhere, whether in cabling or something else.

In doing your troubleshooting keep it simple, break it down to the most basic setup and go from there. Keep us posted.

[holrd]

I know they should work. I tested two cables, both the same part number (42-2152A) and could not get it to fire. Then i test the mini to sync cord in both units and they fired flawlessly. Then i plug in my hotshoe cord with the 580ex into the PW's and the 580 fires flawlessly.

I hardly think that i got 2 bad cables in one shopping experience. I dont have any other mono cables to test my setup.

the only thing i can think of is this cable is an attenuating audio cable that is shielded.

Can anyone think of why this wouldnt workd

[DSMITH131]

check the tip of your 2 6ft mini mono and see if they match the one that came with your strobes. there are different tip types a saw a thread somewhere on it but cant remember where it was

[holrd]

Heres a photo of the cable that i bought (the right one) and then the Alienbees end (the left one).
http://www.ryanhollis.com/potn/alienbees.jpg
It looks to be a little short, but the flash still fires when i push the cable in.

[FlashZebra]

I think I have been to this movie before.

Cite the exact model number of the cable you purchased at Radio Shack.

My dollar is on the the possibility that you have purchased an "attenuation" cable.

If so this cable is principally used to attenuate a line level device for input in a low level microphone input. They can also be used to feed a headphone output into a line level input.

Again if I am correct, this cable introduces far to much resistance between the Pocket Wizard and the AB units for proper function.

Is this the cable you purchased?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103841

If so take it back. Use a mono miniphone plug to mono miniphone plug cable. Do not use any cable that has the word attenuation in the description.

Here is what I think is the previous version of this rerun:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=452168

Enjoy! Lon

[holrd]

I think you are right, when i sat down to write my first response i saw that it was an attenuation cable.

I will take them back tomorrow and get the new cables.

Thanks

We need a sticky for common questions and problems with fixes

Cheers All

Ill write tomorrow when i get it working

[NathanJK]

I think you are right, when i sat down to write my first response i saw that it was an attenuation cable.

I will take them back tomorrow and get the new cables.

Thanks

We need a sticky for common questions and problems with fixes

Cheers All

Ill write tomorrow when i get it working

You can even use stereo cables for what it's worth. I use all stereo cables because they are REALLY cheap at the Alltex near me, I can get one for like 2 bucks that is 6ft. long.

[FlashZebra]

You can even use stereo cables for what it's worth. I use all stereo cables because they are REALLY cheap at the Alltex near me, I can get one for like 2 bucks that is 6ft. long.
Stereo cables are a mixed bag. Some stereo cables used in mono situations do just dandy, other do not work at all.

Mono cables are a much more prudent choice.

Enjoy! Lon

[tim]

We need a sticky for common questions and problems with fixes

There are stickies, but this isn't a common problem! Lon seems to know a thing or two about this stuff, he's our FAQ ;)

[PacAce]

There are stickies, but this isn't a common problem! Lon seems to know a thing or two about this stuff, he's our FAQ ;)
Now, if only I can find a way to sticky him. :lol: ;)

[holrd]

Got the right cables today and it works great. Thanks for the help.