Budget Strobe Power Pack

I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on budget power packs? I've looked into DIY, but it's a mix on how well they work from what I've heard. I have two Dlite 2s I'd like to power separately

Most of the "budget" power packs tend to cost nearly as much and are far less elegant than the vagabond system from paul c buff.

You never said how much budget...

You just missed Adorama's steal of a sale for Elinchrom RX AS battery pack and free S-Head. $999. Usually around $2,500.

I should have bought several.

Other than the RX AS, I use the Buff VLX inverter for all my outdoor needs. Tons of power. Runs 3,000 WS no problem.

Budget would be cheap as possible while still getting a usable quality unit

Hard to beat those prebuilt packs. Step one is to use a meter to see what exactly your power needs are.
http://amzn.com/B00009​MDBU

Li-Ion batteries are expensive but compact. For DIY you could go with AGM. You can pick up a 35 Ah one at Harbor Freight for $75 bucks or so.
http://www.harborfreig​ht.com …versal-battery-68680.html

A GOOD 300w sinewave inverter will run around $250.
This morningstar is one the best: http://amzn.com/B002MW​6PLW
This one from Xantrex is also good and less expensive.: http://amzn.com/B002O5​P8BA

The morningstar is very efficient and has very little conversion loss. Has the least draw in standby as well.

I have the 2k version of that Xantrex in my motorhome. Going on year 4 of continuous use. Powers my stuff just fine

A lot of people go with cheap inverters like Aims, but they are junk and don't last. Probably why most diy kits get tossed.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17979916
Most of the "budget" power packs tend to cost nearly as much and are far less elegant than the vagabond system from paul c buff.

Never though i hear someone call Buff gear elegant...

When you compare it to most hobbled together DIY packs it is

For full disclosure I've never used one of the packs. I have either plugged into my motorhome (2k, 200Ah and solar) or used a generator. I have 2k Yamaha sine wave generator that works fantastic.

Last year I was hired to do a photbooth at a wedding. It was storming and trees were down, power was out and was all around nasty. Showed up at the venue and sure enough the power was out. Just drug out the generator got everything setup and just before the wedding the power came back on. A little vagabond would not have powered my gear and the lights I needed to setup with.

A generator is a much more useful item than a power pack. There are lots on the market now and run around $700 for a good one.

Godox LP-800X or if you need even more power the Volta V-385.

You can also jump ship for the AD-360 or other battery powered flashes.

Look ma, no leads anymore.

fotopaul wrote in post #17981857
Never though i hear someone call Buff gear elegant...

Compare it to an inverter wired and duct taped to a couple of car batteries.

...and the new Buff batteries have a 10 year life. Not too shabby.

fotopaul wrote in post #17981857
Never though i hear someone call Buff gear elegant...

If you apply "elegant" to functional design rather than industrial and packaging design, just about everything that PCB designed and offered to the market is elegant.

dmward wrote in post #17982798
If you apply "elegant" to functional design rather than industrial and packaging design, just about everything that PCB designed and offered to the market is elegant.

I don't, and i never been that fond of the 70's design trends either.

I bought a pure sine wave inverter off of amazon for $80 and a rechargeable backup battery with more juice than the vagabond II for $80 and a $15 lunchbox to carry it in and it's worked great. You can buy a float charger for another $20 to charge it in your wall plugin.

Can you put that on a commercial aircraft?

What battery did you use?