AlienBees Users....

Mr. Blue wrote in post #11993912
Which one do you have?

https://photography-on-the.net …ghlight=homemad​e+vagabond

I put on a handle like that too.

I've used a Innovatronix (Tronix) inverters for a couple years now. Owned one of their Explorer 1200 units personally (just sold it), and even convinced my boss at the old studio to buy one! We used that one heavily on location- beaches, backyards, events, downtown areas... no problems ever, it just worked!

He owned a Vagabond I before that... plastic seemed flimsy, straps on the bag broke and the rest practically disintegrated, wires disconnected and was a pain to charge. DIY projects he tried were crap- none of them worked right. But the Tronix? SUPER solid design, sturdy metal case, just charge it and go!

freelancr wrote in post #12001329
I've used a Innovatronix (Tronix) inverters for a couple years now. Owned one of their Explorer 1200 units personally (just sold it), and even convinced my boss at the old studio to buy one! We used that one heavily on location- beaches, backyards, events, downtown areas... no problems ever, it just worked!

He owned a Vagabond I before that... plastic seemed flimsy, straps on the bag broke and the rest practically disintegrated, wires disconnected and was a pain to charge. DIY projects he tried were crap- none of them worked right. But the Tronix? SUPER solid design, sturdy metal case, just charge it and go!

I couldn't agree more.

I use the Vegabond II also.

Wow, there's actually a Tronix Explorer 1200 on eBay right now! Currently ~ $125, with 10 mins left! http://cgi.ebay.com …RK:MEWAX:IT#ht_​500wt_1159

And no, it's not my auction.

jkru617 wrote in post #11989772
Anyone use a car battery and an inverter?

Yep 1000 watts and it runs all 3 (2/1600's and 1/800) of my AB's with modeling lights all day long.

I actually never had it run low on power, even after three shoots without a recharge. I run my laptop and a 24" monitor off of it too. It makes a great stand weight. It even has a remote power control, On/Off key FOB.

I haven't installed the side and face plates yet, but it works just fine without them and the best part is, it's easy to fix if something has a problem. The inverter has a 1 year warranty.

I bought mine here: http://www.amazon.com …ter-Control/dp/B000WGNNUQ

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drdiesel1 wrote in post #12001880
Yep 1000 watts and it runs all 3 (2/1600's and 1/800) of my AB's with modeling lights all day long.

I actually never had it run low on power, even after three shoots without a recharge. I run my laptop and a 24" monitor off of it too. It makes a great stand weight. It even has a remote power control, On/Off key FOB.

I haven't installed the side and face plates yet, but it works just fine without them and the best part is, it's easy to fix if something has a problem. The inverter has a 1 year warranty.

I bought mine here: http://www.amazon.com …ter-Control/dp/B000WGNNUQ

I like this setup. What battery and charger are you using?

drdiesel1 wrote in post #12001880
Yep 1000 watts and it runs all 3 (2/1600's and 1/800) of my AB's with modeling lights all day long.

I actually never had it run low on power, even after three shoots without a recharge. I run my laptop and a 24" monitor off of it too. It makes a great stand weight. It even has a remote power control, On/Off key FOB.

I haven't installed the side and face plates yet, but it works just fine without them and the best part is, it's easy to fix if something has a problem. The inverter has a 1 year warranty.

I bought mine here: http://www.amazon.com …ter-Control/dp/B000WGNNUQ

Would you mind listing out the parts for this, or do you have more pics of the rig? Curious how you put it all together. I've seen plenty of DIY's, but this one promises quite a bit more staying power.

Mr. Blue wrote in post #12017805
I like this setup. What battery and charger are you using?

It's this one http://www.amazon.com …rge-Charger/dp/B000H961YI

freelancr wrote in post #12019386
Would you mind listing out the parts for this, or do you have more pics of the rig? Curious how you put it all together. I've seen plenty of DIY's, but this one promises quite a bit more staying power.

I picked up the battery from Wal-Mart. It fits my Honda Civic.
I bought 2, 4 gauge battery cables to connect to the inverter.
The inverter is the Sunforce 1000: http://www.amazon.com …ter-Control/dp/B000WGNNUQ

The cart is: http://www.zuca.com/st​ore/?page=shop/cart&

The charger is: http://www.amazon.com/​Schumacher-SSC.../dp/B000H961YI

Later, I'll finish the plastic sides. I didn't use the rucksack bag, because I was worried about acid fumes. I plan to vent the sides and use a fan to pull air through it and exhaust out the back. I'll leave the front of the inverter exposed for access with a door covering the faceplate.

The charger is velco attached to the top of the cart for easy removal. I use a battery tender plus to keep the battery maintained when it's not being used. The charger has a tender built in, but the fan runs all the time, so I just use a spare Deltran, Battery Tender Plus :http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300141​129&sr=1-1

drdiesel1 wrote in post #12019566
I picked up the battery from Wal-Mart. It fits my Honda Civic.
I bought 2, 4 gauge battery cables to connect to the inverter.
The inverter is the Sunforce 1000: http://www.amazon.com …ter-Control/dp/B000WGNNUQ

The cart is: http://www.zuca.com/st​ore/?page=shop/cart&

The charger is: http://www.amazon.com/​Schumacher-SSC.../dp/B000H961YI

Later, I'll finish the plastic sides. I didn't use the rucksack bag, because I was worried about acid fumes. I plan to vent the sides and use a fan to pull air through it and exhaust out the back. I'll leave the front of the inverter exposed for access with a door covering the faceplate.

The charger is velco attached to the top of the cart for easy removal. I use a battery tender plus to keep the battery maintained when it's not being used. The charger has a tender built in, but the fan runs all the time, so I just use a spare Deltran, Battery Tender Plus :http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300141​129&sr=1-1

Awesome setup!

vegasboy wrote in post #12026815
Awesome setup!

Has power to spare and then some. Never acts up and I never worry about setting my house on fire.

All 3 AB's run just fine, even with all 3 modeling lamps on. Runs all day. I didn't charge it for 3 shoots to test it and it never ran low on power.
I also run my laptop and another 24 inch monitor with it when shooting tethered

drdiesel1 wrote in post #12026960
Has power to spare and then some. Never acts up and I never worry about setting my house on fire.

All 3 AB's run just fine, even with all 3 modeling lamps on. Runs all day. I didn't charge it for 3 shoots to test it and it never ran low on power.
I also run my laptop and another 24 inch monitor with it when shooting tethered

wont fit in the back of my little 135i though

drdiesel1 wrote in post #12019566
I picked up the battery from Wal-Mart. It fits my Honda Civic.
I bought 2, 4 gauge battery cables to connect to the inverter.
The inverter is the Sunforce 1000: http://www.amazon.com …ter-Control/dp/B000WGNNUQ

The cart is: http://www.zuca.com/st​ore/?page=shop/cart&

The charger is: http://www.amazon.com/​Schumacher-SSC.../dp/B000H961YI

Later, I'll finish the plastic sides. I didn't use the rucksack bag, because I was worried about acid fumes. I plan to vent the sides and use a fan to pull air through it and exhaust out the back. I'll leave the front of the inverter exposed for access with a door covering the faceplate.

The charger is velco attached to the top of the cart for easy removal. I use a battery tender plus to keep the battery maintained when it's not being used. The charger has a tender built in, but the fan runs all the time, so I just use a spare Deltran, Battery Tender Plus :http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300141​129&sr=1-1

Thanks for listing all that, man! So... no GFCI in this setup? That's surprising...

freelancr wrote in post #12028679
Thanks for listing all that, man! So... no GFCI in this setup? That's surprising...

I use a power strip to plug everything into