Dynalite, PW, and Innovatronix - Issues with wireless triggering

I'm using an Innovatronix XT SE, Pocket Wizard PII, and MP800 pack. When I turn the pack on, I can hold down the test button on the PW remote and it will fire, beep, fire, beep, fire, beep, etc... until I let go of the test button after that, it takes about 30-45 seconds between shots for it to fire using the PII. Any idea why?

One thing I haven't tried that I'm going to attempt is connecting a second PW to the pack and firing it that way. It's just really annoying not being able to take a photo after the pack sounds that it's ready and not knowing if it's been enough time between recycles for it to recognize the PW again.

Just wondering if it makes any difference changing the orientation of the plug going into the Dynalite pack 180 degrees...on my Dynalites the H-connector cord can plug in either way, and maybe there is something about the polarity of the connectior mattering on the PW side of the cord! I know that some studio packs do not fire with some dSLRs if the cord connecting the two is plugged in one way, but works fine when the cord is plugged in 180 degrees different.

I'll try using a cable tomorrow. Right now, I've only used the built in PW to try and trigger it and it's like it's running off of D cell batteries.

Oh, I had the wrong mental image...thought that there was a PW receiver and transmitter, with a cord between the receiver and the Dynalite!
I have no idea what the problem might be, if using the PW transmitter to signal the built-in PW receiver that is in the Dynalite. My Dynalite packs are all without PW capability buit in, purchased in the 90s.

Not sure if I understand the problem but the built in PW needs some time to sync up with the trigger PW under normal use. If both are on there is usually a lag of 30 seconds or so. Any chance that one or the other has powered down?

EDIT: It could be that the pack somehow thinks it's shut down, possibly because of the Innovatronix, try using a wall outlet and see if you have the same problem. It should work fine then. If that's the case you may need to go with a second PW when not using AC wall outlet.

breal101 wrote in post #14240742
Not sure if I understand the problem but the built in PW needs some time to sync up with the trigger PW under normal use. If both are on there is usually a lag of 30 seconds or so. Any chance that one or the other has powered down?

I'm wondering if the battery draw is so much that the pack shuts off and on or thinks it is to the point where it resets the receiver. Like I said, it's only doing this on my Innovatronix battery. I can plug it into the wall and it'll work fine with the PWs. This evening if I have a moment I'll toss a PII on the pack and see if it triggers that way. It would be disappointing to have to use a trigger with a pack that has built in PW capabilities, but if I have to do it, I have to do it.

That'll give me an excuse to buy two new PWs to work with this pack and the next one I get when running on battery power.

Oh, and the pack is not bad. This is the second one I've had because the first one had something loose in it and Dynalite sent me a replacement out (awesome customer service by the way). The last one did the exact same thing.

Yeah, we're thinking the same way, just edited my post.

I just looked at compatibility for the pack you have and it's not listed on the chart for your battery pack. The packs I have are listed, 500wi and 1000wi, they have never had a problem using the Dynalite battery. Of course this isn't much of a solution for you because of the cost of the Dynalite unit. I just wanted to add this for anyone else looking at this thread.

The MP800 is fairly new though. I'm betting that it will work with a PW connected to the pack, since it fires and resets quickly at low power with the test button.

Village_Idiot wrote in post #14241284
The MP800 is fairly new though. I'm betting that it will work with a PW connected to the pack, since it fires and resets quickly at low power with the test button.

When I first read breal101's reply, I interpreted the same as you...but I think he is referring to Dynalite battery pack (XP-1100 ?)in lieu of Innovatronix

Wilt wrote in post #14241328
When I first read breal101's reply, I interpreted the same as you...but I think he is referring to Dynalite battery pack (XP-1100 ?)in lieu of Innovatronix

Yes, that's the one I was referring to. Honestly there are far cheaper solutions available today than when I got it.

I think he'll be fine with the second PW, it does sound like the onboard PW is resetting for some reason.

Village_Idiot wrote in post #14240875
I'm wondering if the battery draw is so much that the pack shuts off and on or thinks it is to the point where it resets the receiver. Like I said, it's only doing this on my Innovatronix battery. I can plug it into the wall and it'll work fine with the PWs. This evening if I have a moment I'll toss a PII on the pack and see if it triggers that way. It would be disappointing to have to use a trigger with a pack that has built in PW capabilities, but if I have to do it, I have to do it.

I just returned a Tronix because it did the very same thing, shut off the built in PW in my Profoto packs after a few pops. Plug the same packs into the wall and there's never an issue.

K.C. wrote in post #14427626
I just returned a Tronix because it did the very same thing, shut off the built in PW in my Profoto packs after a few pops. Plug the same packs into the wall and there's never an issue.

Which profoto pack? A PW on a cable works and I already have more than enough PWs. I doubt you're going to find any other solution for the same price. I could be wrong though.

I tested with Acute 2R 1200s and Profoto Compact R 300 and 600. Same problem with all of them. I plugged a regular PW in and they worked fine.

The Tronix are price competitive, that's true. But they need to improve the converter.

I also found that my Profoto D1 AIR 500s made a nasty little screeching sound at the beginning of the recycle when powered by the Tronix. I didn't want to see how long it took before that sound got expensive.