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Thread started 16 Nov 2011 (Wednesday) 22:26
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230V Vagabond Mini Lithium problem - won't power AB800 strobe

 
tim
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Nov 16, 2011 22:26 |  #1

I received my 230V Australia/NZ model Vagabond Mini Lithium today, from Paul C Buff Australia, and unfortunately it doesn't work properly. It powers my cellphone charger, computer monitor, etc, but not my AB800 light which is what it was designed for and purchased for.

I charged the unit until the light on the charger turned green, then for another couple of hours. When I turn it on the lights come on, and the battery indicator indicates full. When I plug my 230V AB800 in then turn it on (with model light disabled) all the lights on the vagabond immediately turn off, and so does the AB800. Both of my AB800s do the same thing, and work fine on mains power. Turning the vagabond off then on again makes the lights come back on, and work for small devices again.

I can plug my cellphone charger in and it works perfectly, as does my household fan, my laptop with the battery removed, my Android tablet, two 25W light fittings, and my 22" Dell LCD computer monitor - not all at the same time of course.

My theory is it can't handle the current draw of the AB800. Of course it's designed to, that's what it's for. I didn't want to plug it into something like a heater to test that theory, in case I broke it.

Has anyone else experienced or heard about this problem? Of course i've emailed Paul C Buff, both the Australia box shifter (who doesn't answer their phone) and the head office, I just wondered if anyone else had found this.


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Nov 16, 2011 23:19 |  #2

don't have a 230V version but sounds like it could be the ab800?

best bet is to wait on pcb


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tim
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Nov 16, 2011 23:34 |  #3

The AB800's are both fine on mains power.


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kurmisosh
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Nov 17, 2011 09:26 as a reply to  @ tim's post |  #4

Please keep us updated when you find out what is wrong with the Vagabond Mimi.
I have a few friends back in Europe that are very interested in buying the mini. It will be very helpful to know if there is a problem with 230V model.




  
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jmb4370
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Nov 17, 2011 09:53 |  #5

It almost sounds like the thermal circuit breaker might be sized incorrectly (or is defective and needs to be replaced), and is not allowing the high current draw from the internal battery. It definately is something to discuss further with PCB (USA).


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Numenorean
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Nov 17, 2011 10:01 |  #6

My US version works fine with my AB800s and AB1600s.


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110yd
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Nov 17, 2011 10:24 |  #7

tim wrote in post #13411180 (external link)
I received my 230V Australia/NZ model Vagabond Mini Lithium today, from Paul C Buff Australia, and unfortunately it doesn't work properly. It powers my cellphone charger, computer monitor, etc, but not my AB800 light which is what it was designed for and purchased for.

I charged the unit until the light on the charger turned green, then for another couple of hours. When I turn it on the lights come on, and the battery indicator indicates full. When I plug my 230V AB800 in then turn it on (with model light disabled) all the lights on the vagabond immediately turn off, and so does the AB800. Both of my AB800s do the same thing, and work fine on mains power. Turning the vagabond off then on again makes the lights come back on, and work for small devices again.

I can plug my cellphone charger in and it works perfectly, as does my household fan, my laptop with the battery removed, my Android tablet, two 25W light fittings, and my 22" Dell LCD computer monitor - not all at the same time of course.

My theory is it can't handle the current draw of the AB800. Of course it's designed to, that's what it's for. I didn't want to plug it into something like a heater to test that theory, in case I broke it.

Has anyone else experienced or heard about this problem? Of course i've emailed Paul C Buff, both the Australia box shifter (who doesn't answer their phone) and the head office, I just wondered if anyone else had found this.

From the description you have given it sounds like there is a problem with it providing enough current to power the AB800. At the beginning of each recycle, the lights draw a peak current of about 16 to 18 amps for about 200 milliseconds. The average current draw is in the 5 to 6 amp range for steady state operation. It sound like it needs to go back.




  
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scorpio_e
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Nov 17, 2011 10:40 |  #8

Sounds like time too call tech support.


Good luck Tim


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René ­ Damkot
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Nov 17, 2011 10:44 |  #9

Agree that contacting PCB is the thing to do.

You might be able to test whether or not the peak current draw is the issue by first connecting the pack to mains, so the capacitors are charged, then connect it to the Vagabond.
That way the Vagabond would only need to maintain the charge. (Unless of course the pack dumps the charge when you switch off)


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tim
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Nov 17, 2011 12:33 |  #10

I tried that Rene, even going straight from mains to vagabond it shut off right away. Have emailed tech support but no reply yet.


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scorpio_e
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Nov 18, 2011 17:13 |  #11

Keep us posted Tim


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tim
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Nov 18, 2011 22:11 |  #12

PCB are replacing the battery, so fingers crossed that fixes it :)


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230V Vagabond Mini Lithium problem - won't power AB800 strobe
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