Vagabond II Caught Fire In My Living Room

Everything I have read about AlienBees customer service has been great so I am not worried but here is my story. In some ways there is some humor as I have spent a few thousand with AlienBee in the last few weeks. I told my wife what great products they are and how we needed everything I bought Sooo...

I just received my Vagabond II in the mail. As soon as got it (last night) I plugged it in and charged it. This afternoon I hooked up my AB1600 and tested it out. Everything worked great. I plugged it back in to charge again per the instructions. My wife just got home and I was going to show her how great this thing is and why we needed it so badly. I re-hooked up the Vagabond to the 1600 turned the the Vagabond on and then turned on the 1600 (The modeling lights are off). The Vagabond started sparking and then caught on fire! Yes setting in our living room it looked as if I had just lit one of the fire crackers that looks like a volcano. I unplugged the 1600 and turned the Vagabond to the off position. It was still smoking so I have set it outside for the night as my house now smells of burnt wires.

I think I am going to have to do allot of kissing up to her now as I still want one but she is scared to death of using this thing now

Wow, interesting story!

Did you check the terminals when it arrived? Maybe it got thrown around in shipping or something and the leads became loose or something like that and it just sparked?

I hope all is well and yes, they have great customer service, even over here in Australia!

No I didn't check it when it arrived as everything look fine from what I could tell. I am afraid to start playing around with it now. I think it best to wait and see what they have to say.

Dang...I've never heard of that happening at all bro. They'll definitely take care of ya bro. Sorry to hear about your experience. It's definitely unique.

Holy crap!! I'm gonna order one of these next week too. Glad to hear no one was injured, except maybe your pride a bit, heh. Let us know what AB says.

As I seem to be the only one this has happened to I hope this thread does not keep anyone from buying one. There is going to be a lemon from time to time. Just wish I could have used it a bit or at least my wife before it happened.

deadpass wrote in post #9332527
except maybe your pride a bit, heh.

Yep the look on her face was one of holy Sxxt and give me your credit card.

that sucks...

any photos.

azpix wrote in post #9332575
that sucks...

any photos.

Lol... No couldn't even get that far.

Actually it looks fine now. Still smells like crap. What ever damage it caused I am guessing is all in the inverter

this won't put me off from buying one, but I will be mindful if i'm in flammable surroundings.

Just be leary of a good deal on a "refurbished" unit.

j/k

Damn! Sorry to hear that. I just got mine, but have not used it yet. PCB has great customer service though.

Wow that's scary. Probably got knocked around a bit during delivery or something wasn't right from dispatch.

Mine arrives tomorrow. I hope this doesn't happen to me.

I heard some stories about how PCB did some changes as to where the Vagabonds are manufactured and has had more problems since? I don't know if there's some truth to this but I noticed people returning theirs more recently for exchange as opposed to others who had theirs for a long time with not a single hiccup.

Anyone remember Chad Pryson's rant against PCB and, in particular, his comments regarding the Vagabond II? Pryson was Buff's chief engineer several years ago. Anyway, I believe, in his rant, he made a comment to the effect that he wouldn't be surprised if the Vagabond II caught fire in the customer's hands. I wish I could find the actual post.

Dave F.