Alien Bees Vagabond II question

[AxxisPhoto]

I am close to pulling the trigger on one and had a question for current owners of this battery.

I was reading the manual, and PCB recommends keeping it plugged into the charger at all times when not in use to maintain maximum charge. Is this really necessary? If left off without the charger, will the battery deplete and not hold a full charge? http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Confused/sorry.gifhttp://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Confused/sorry.gif

This seems a little excessive to me. Can anyone clarify this for me?

Thanks!

[wyofizz]

I just bought one and read the manual. I think if you read it again you will find that it will hold a charge for quite awhile and it isn't necessary to keep it plugged in.

[alphonsis]

the tickle charge provided by keeping it plugged in is good for the health of the battery as well as keeping it topped off. I believe the vag uses SLA batteries (correct me if I'm wrong)

[TMR Design]

SLA Batteries don't have to be plugged in all the time. It's recommended but not necessary. If you're not going to leave it plugged in all the time then make sure you get it on the charger every few weeks at the most. Never let it just sit or it will dry up and be useless. If it's not convenient to leave it plugged in the just keep track of how long it's off the charger and charge it every so often. If you're using it every weekend then you don't have to keep it charging except to top it off for use.

Many people keep them on the charger so they don't have to worry about those times when you want to grab it and go without thinking about whether it was charged or not and also so they don't forget to charge every so often. If you can remember, then no problem. If you might forget, then better safe than sorry.

[Patrick]

I leave mine plugged in all of the time. I was just wondering the other day if the manual recommended it or not. I never got around to checking the manual. It's probably good that it's always plugged in since I might not get around to charging it. :lol:

I've only used the thing 2 times. I guess I need to get outdoors and do some shooting!

[AxxisPhoto]

I just bought one and read the manual. I think if you read it again you will find that it will hold a charge for quite awhile and it isn't necessary to keep it plugged in.


Hmmm.... Say right here (http://www.paulcbuff.com/manuals/vagabond.pdf) in the manual. Is this the same manual you have?

[TMR Design]

I don't know why Paul Buff indicates that it must go back on the charger after each use. Every other manufacturer or power supplies and SLA batteries states that you do not have to be compulsive about getting it back on the charger like that. As long as you go no more than a week or two it's fine.

[AxxisPhoto]

SLA Batteries don't have to be plugged in all the time. It's recommended but not necessary. If you're not going to leave it plugged in all the time then make sure you get it on the charger every few weeks at the most. Never let it just sit or it will dry up and be useless. If it's not convenient to leave it plugged in the just keep track of how long it's off the charger and charge it every so often. If you're using it every weekend then you don't have to keep it charging except to top it off for use.

Many people keep them on the charger so they don't have to worry about those times when you want to grab it and go without thinking about whether it was charged or not and also so they don't forget to charge every so often. If you can remember, then no problem. If you might forget, then better safe than sorry.

Thanks Rob. This clarifies a lot. I know this is redundant, but is there any harm in leaving it plugged in all the time? Overheating, etc?

[TMR Design]

Thanks Rob. This clarifies a lot. I know this is redundant, but is there any harm in leaving it plugged in all the time? Overheating, etc?

No, no harm at all. I find it easier to keep my SLA powered devices plugged in all the time. It saves me the trouble of having to remember and there are times when I unexpectedly want to grab my location kit and this way I don't have to think about it or deal with the "uh oh, I forgot to charge the battery" issue.

[HoRnYTuRbO]

i just leave it plugged in so i never second guess if it charged or not

[poloman]

I leave mine plugged in whenever it is not in use.
I have been happy with it. Fast recovery times and many, many flashes per charge. Had it since they came out.

[Seanzky]

I'm glad I read this thread. I would have never left it plugged in.

[GenuineRolla]

I leave mine plugged in all the time.

[Mark Booth]

I leave my Vagabond II plugged into one of these:

http://www.i-tech.com.au/Library/Image/Product/PAD-32_large.jpg

I set it to come on for 12 hours 1 day per week. After heavy use on a shoot, I plug the Vagabond II into the timer and hit the ON button (turning off AUTO) for 24 hours and then put it back in AUTO mode the next day.

Mark

[wyofizz]

Mark that's a great idea:)

[Mark Booth]

Mark that's a great idea:)

Sometimes the simple solutions are the most elegant! :)

Mark

[TMR Design]

Sometimes the simple solutions are the most elegant! :)

Mark

Very True.