Portable power

[ImagesByInku]

Has anyone tried to use this to power their lights?

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Powerpack-Jumpstarter-Inverter-Backup/dp/B000E6LEIC/ref=sr_1_2_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=hi&s9r=8a5801be124c44b30112c4200107100c&itemPosition=2&qid=1223998419&sr=8-2

[ueb0258]

My guess would be that it is not a pure sine wave and would not be good for strobes.

[TMR Design]

Ed is absolutely correct. If the inverter is not giving you pure sine wave then you will almost certainly do damage to your strobes.

From what I've seen, there have been some successful DIY's for portable power but you have to be very careful and know what you're doing. If not then the reality is that there are 2 very good and fairly economical solutions for analog strobes and some digitally controlled units. They are the Tronix Explorer XT (newer version of the Explorer 1200) and the Paul Buff Vagabond II.

[ImagesByInku]

Sorry, I meant flood lights as opposed to strobes.

[Titus213]

I would not think the power in that unit would light your lights for very long.

But with floodlights I would think a small generator would work.

[Lotto]

The jumper battery pack like that is designed to supply a high quick boost of current, but not continuous high current draw. So let say you use a 500W hot light, you will be lucky to get 30 mins out of the battery before it shuts down.

[ImagesByInku]

I would not think the power in that unit would light your lights for very long.

But with floodlights I would think a small generator would work.

Thanks... Yeah, that's my dilemma. I was hoping someone on the board already tried to power the lights with that battery - and either it works great or it doesnt work. I guess I'm going to be the one to find out and let everyone know. Hah.

I thought about the generator as well... but it's more bulky and probably loud and distracting.

[ImagesByInku]

The jumper battery pack like that is designed to supply a high quick boost of current, but not continuous high current draw. So let say you use a 500W hot light, you will be lucky to get 30 mins out of the battery before it shuts down.

30 minutes of continuous use... but if I'm setting up shots, taking pictures, and then shutting the lights off until the next shot is set up. Might work in remote areas in a pinch. The price is such that I'd probably get 2 of them.

[Rudi]

30 minutes of continuous use... but if I'm setting up shots, taking pictures, and then shutting the lights off until the next shot is set up. Might work in remote areas in a pinch. The price is such that I'd probably get 2 of them.

Yeah, except one 500W hot light does not throw out all that much light, plus you'd need at least two of them, etc.

[a5i736]

doesn't work

[Milner]

This appears to be the same unit for $50 less
http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-DPP-600HD-Powerpack-Starter-Emergency/dp/B000TKHMWK/ref=pd_sim_hi_3

Even cheaper http://www.provantage.com/xantrex-technology-852-2007~7XNTX005.htm

But unfortunately it is modified sine wave :(
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/182/p/1505/pt/29/product.asp