A New Bare Bulb Flash Arrives

LBray wrote in post #16949614
Hi
I'm new too this forum but have been reading a great deal of the information here before I invested in 4 Gf400s and accessories. I received all the kit today and have been testing it out at different powers, checking out colour rendition etc and all seemed fine. However I came to test the number of continuous full power flashes to see just how many I would get before the overheat warning cut in. I got to 24 flashes and then then the recycling lengthened but no overheat symbol, so ain't fired a couple more times and it stopped firing, there was a burning smell and smoke coming out of one of the sockets.
I repeated this exercise with the same head but different battery pack and got 17 flashes before the same thing happened. I gave it one more go with another head and lead and one more battery and the same thing happened after just 7 flashes.
I'm certainly not happy and am thinking of returning all the kit as it's really blown my confidence in it. I haven't found any really negative comments reading these flashes and I did a stack of research, including reading most of this thread, before I purchased them.
Has anyone had or know of anyone whose had a similar problem. Or has anyone come across a bad batch of battery packs.

Do you normally shoot 24 full pops in a row or even 17 in a row? I have never had any issues with my cheetah brand but then I am not shooting over 3 or 4 full pops in a row. Mainly I am at half power and below...

LBray wrote in post #16949614
Hi
I'm new too this forum but have been reading a great deal of the information here before I invested in 4 Gf400s and accessories. I received all the kit today and have been testing it out at different powers, checking out colour rendition etc and all seemed fine. However I came to test the number of continuous full power flashes to see just how many I would get before the overheat warning cut in. I got to 24 flashes and then then the recycling lengthened but no overheat symbol, so ain't fired a couple more times and it stopped firing, there was a burning smell and smoke coming out of one of the sockets.
I repeated this exercise with the same head but different battery pack and got 17 flashes before the same thing happened. I gave it one more go with another head and lead and one more battery and the same thing happened after just 7 flashes.

I'm certainly not happy and am thinking of returning all the kit as it's really blown my confidence in it. I haven't found any really negative comments reading these flashes and I did a stack of research, including reading most of this thread, before I purchased them.
Has anyone had or know of anyone whose had a similar problem. Or has anyone come across a bad batch of battery packs.

If you have smoke rolling out of the plug you lost a PJ3490 RS1J surface mount fast switching rectifier in your head unit. You need to send it back.

If you have a mulitimeter your battery should read 12.0+ full charged, if it read 11.6- after charging the battery is bad

Thanks for that information Scott.
The smoke was coming from the socket on the battery pack and when the first one went I thought it must be the pack so just swapped in a second one. when that one went as we'll I changed over the lead and of course it happened again. My next move would've been to change the head but although I've got 4 Gf400s I'm waiting for the 4th battery pack as Calumet were out of stock.
I hope this is not a regular issue, as a pro I really need too rely on this kit and that's why I bought 4 kits although mainly using 3. There isn't a massive amount of info on the internet regarding these, I think this thread is the biggest source and from reading here and elsewhere it seems these heads are generally reliable. I'm sure that if there was a major problem there would be a lot more on the net.

Robsohoto - It's probably not often that Ill need to use them at full power for so many pops but it may happen as it has with my studio kit( Elinchrom mono blocs and packs) and my Canon 600 speedlites. Also, I wouldn't take any kit near a job until I'd thoroughly tested it for any situation that might occur.

Bamphoto - I bought them from Calumet in UK. as I'm in UK I don't have the option of taking advantage of Cheetahstand's excellent service.

Thanks to all for the prompt feedback.

Its not a common thing, but like anything made not all are equal even thou its the same item. Example EF 24-70 some are good and some are great.

squall1977 wrote in post #16949687
Picked up a couple of 360's last week. So far they have been great. Got to grab another bag just to transport them. Before I buy a bag I am curious to know what everyone is using to carry these around in.

any Lowerpro backpack and other backpack will fit and reflector still intact

Thats good to know. I appreciate that there will always be differences with any product but just want to make sure it's not too regular an occurrence.
I have to say that right now it's definitely marred my confidence in the kit but hopefully when I get to test the other heads to a greater degree I'll feel happier about it. I was looking at Elinchrom Quadras p
as I have used Elinchrom mono blocs and packs for years and the back up from the The Flash Centre in UK is excellent. I prefer the design and operation of the GF400 so did as much research as I could and was going to rent one to test but didn't get to but did test one at Calumet. When I Found out Calumet had announced 30% off all their own brands I had 4 days to make a decision to get the price so I decided to go for it. Usually I'd have taken time to rent and test so that's why I'm debating whether to keep them or to invest extra money into Quadras much as I love the functionality and spec of these.

abbadon31 wrote in post #16941626
Haven't heard much more about the Quantum QF63 Telephoto Reflector and tube spacer is anyone still using these?

I searched for cable extender for mounting flash head above
last week and not available anymore, Quantum discontinued some of their accessory ?

Scott. Sorry to come back to my faulty units again but from what you said about the rectifier in the head unit m I presume it's unlikely to be anything to do with the cables.

Thanks.

On a different note. When using a 2 to 1 cable to reduce recycling time will it mean the number of full power flashes is reduced from the usual 75ish before overheat kicks in? Nobody seems to mention this anywhere on the internet and there is nothing in any of the instructions regarding this either.

LBray wrote in post #16950446
On a different note. When using a 2 to 1 cable to reduce recycling time will it mean the number of full power flashes is reduced from the usual 75ish before overheat kicks in? Nobody seems to mention this anywhere on the internet and there is nothing in any of the instructions regarding this either.

I assume it should be similar, because,
using the same battery cells
using the same circuit board and other components

I just thought that as it's recycling at a higher speed there would be more heat generated but I guess it wouldn't be a huge difference given what you say

Got my second AD360 kit yesterday and this time it was not on kitbox but a AD360 box plus a PB960. The PB960 was black but the shop was willing the replace that with orange one.

About over heating / 75 full pops. If you use one plug or the 2-in-1 cable it will kick in at 75 full pops.
If you use one side you can switch over to the other port to continue. I assume the overheat protection will kick a bit earlier in because the circuits are on the same PCB and is pre-heated.

About the smoking ports I think it is AD360 / flash unit because each port has it own circuit.

Has anybody travelled on an airplane with the PB960 battery packs and if so was there any problem. Technically they come within the requirements of USA and UK authorities in terms of the size/quantity of lithium but it's not always that simple as staff on the ground tend to have their own ideas about the technicalities of various allowances. The Elinchrom Quadra Ranger batteries are certified air worthy and you can even download the certificate but still I know that some photographers have had issues.

LBray wrote in post #16950440
Scott. Sorry to come back to my faulty units again but from what you said about the rectifier in the head unit m I presume it's unlikely to be anything to do with the cables.

Thanks.

LBray wrote in post #16950446
On a different note. When using a 2 to 1 cable to reduce recycling time will it mean the number of full power flashes is reduced from the usual 75ish before overheat kicks in? Nobody seems to mention this anywhere on the internet and there is nothing in any of the instructions regarding this either.

The 2 to 1 cable does not effect when the over heat kicks in. It should be 75 pops at 1/1 but usually kicks in around 70ish. You recycle time should be about 2.5 sec if its longer using the 2 to 1 cable one side of the pack is burnt out. If you getting a overheat kick before 70 then it needs to be sent in. If your pack lights drop a blue light within 5 1/1 pops on a fully charged battery the battery is bad.


DO NOT OPEN 360 IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING "SHOCK AND DANGEROUS" PLUS IT WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY