Honey, I shrunk the battery pack: A GREAT DIY ...

The inverter probably won't hurt it, but will the voltage drop?

Its my understanding that if the voltage drop from the battery is sufficent for the inverter to fall below a specific AC voltage it cuts out. That is apparently the protection to keep an inverter from delivering too low (or high) a voltage and damaging an AC device.

JC4 wrote in post #9839810
I built one, as spec'd by the OP, AIMS 180, 10-pac... I'm a bit concerned hearing the fan on my AB-800 come to a stop while the light is recycling. It doesn't behave that way using my Vagabond II, whether set to fast or slow recycle setting. The recycle time is slower with this pack as well.

I love the weight/size, and can live with the recycle time, my only concern is damage to the AB electronics.

If you need some reassurance, you might want to read this post from the originator of this DIY:

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/82318​4/0#7739492

He did his testing with an AB800 and was (and continues to be) very satisfied with the pack's performance.

Dave F.

Wouldn't the fan cutting out like that lead to a potential overheating?

Just thinking out loud here, I really don't know.

Agamemnon wrote in post #9824328
Hey, I just wanted to mention that I just bought this 300W inverter, and tried using it with my D-Lite2s - it wasn't able to power them beyond power 3.0, which is 1/4 power. Both were plugged into the inverter, but only one was turned on.

http://cgi.ebay.com …ain_0?hash=item​4cee4034e1

I'm not 100% sure that it's the inverter's fault, but something in the chain was beeping.
I'm using essentially a car battery hooked up with a cigarette lighter, so I don't think the battery is giving out - the connection might be a source of a problem, but the cigarette lighter adapter plug should be fine, shouldn't it?

I was looking at the 150W Samlex that people kept mentioning, although I figured I'd be using it with a couple of strobes, and have a big enough battery, so I'd grab a 300W one instead.

Anyone else have experience with this inverter? I'm tempted to just buy the PCB one and use that.

Hey Ryan,
What was your final experience with this inverter. I ordered one from the same guy, and I noticed your thread after I ordered it. I hooked it up to a 12V/18AH battery, it's firing my Elinchrom 500BXRI at full power with 2 second recycle just fine. However once I turn on the modeling light, my BXRI just shuts itself right off.
Let me know your experience, I'm interested in knowing if this is a keeper, or if I should get the Samlex inverter, and return this one, I think the seller had a 10 day return policy.
I don't nescassarily need the modeling light, but it would be nice to know I could put it on for a minute or 2 in a pinch.
Cheers

gphoto28 wrote in post #10382211
Hey Ryan,
What was your final experience with this inverter. I ordered one from the same guy, and I noticed your thread after I ordered it. I hooked it up to a 12V/18AH battery, it's firing my Elinchrom 500BXRI at full power with 2 second recycle just fine. However once I turn on the modeling light, my BXRI just shuts itself right off.
Let me know your experience, I'm interested in knowing if this is a keeper, or if I should get the Samlex inverter, and return this one, I think the seller had a 10 day return policy.
I don't nescassarily need the modeling light, but it would be nice to know I could put it on for a minute or 2 in a pinch.
Cheers

Hey Gary,

It's funny, I just responded seconds ago to the other thread regarding the APC Smart-UPS units - I'm using one of those now. I've pretty much given up on the 300W inverter that I bought, although I might be able to get it working.

I first tried it with the cigarette lighter adapter, then tried it with alligator clips to the battery, and while the alligator clips worked a lot better, they still weren't able to power both strobes reliably. I don't remember exactly what I tested, as I sort of gave up on it.

I just got a power tester, so I can see where there might be a shortcoming - I now know that the D-Lites that I'm using pull close to 550watts when they're recycling, and that's without the modeling lamp - the BXRi units are probably pulling similar (Higher power, but slower recycle), and turning on the modeling lamp is tripping it.

Agamemnon wrote in post #10384395
Hey Gary,

It's funny, I just responded seconds ago to the other thread regarding the APC Smart-UPS units - I'm using one of those now. I've pretty much given up on the 300W inverter that I bought, although I might be able to get it working.

I first tried it with the cigarette lighter adapter, then tried it with alligator clips to the battery, and while the alligator clips worked a lot better, they still weren't able to power both strobes reliably. I don't remember exactly what I tested, as I sort of gave up on it.

I just got a power tester, so I can see where there might be a shortcoming - I now know that the D-Lites that I'm using pull close to 550watts when they're recycling, and that's without the modeling lamp - the BXRi units are probably pulling similar (Higher power, but slower recycle), and turning on the modeling lamp is tripping it.

So here's what I've tested so far with this inverter.
When I hook up 1 500BXRI to the inverter with the supplied alligator clips directly to the battery, I can power the 500 to full power without the inverter beeping, and recycle is 2 seconds. I cannot use the modeling lights unless they're at about power setting of about 2.3-3.3, or the BXRI, just shuts down at any higher power setting, with the modeling lights on.
I rigged up another set of wiring with a quick disconnect, and a fuse. When I hook this up with one BXRI, the battery warning indicator starts to beep, on the inverter, at any power setting above 3.5, modeling lights off. I cannot figure out why the warning sound does not trigger with the alligator clips, and it sounds with the fused setup.
Any thoughts here? Again not so important to have the modeling light, and most times I just want one light connected.
Just wondering if this is the better unit, and I should return this to the ebay seller.
Samlex
I can provide pics on Sunday.

Dang I have a bunch of those batteries from my RC car racing that i dont use

If any one in so cal wants a pack let me know

gphoto28 wrote in post #10387874
So here's what I've tested so far with this inverter.
When I hook up 1 500BXRI to the inverter with the supplied alligator clips directly to the battery, I can power the 500 to full power without the inverter beeping, and recycle is 2 seconds. I cannot use the modeling lights unless they're at about power setting of about 2.3-3.3, or the BXRI, just shuts down at any higher power setting, with the modeling lights on.
I rigged up another set of wiring with a quick disconnect, and a fuse. When I hook this up with one BXRI, the battery warning indicator starts to beep, on the inverter, at any power setting above 3.5, modeling lights off. I cannot figure out why the warning sound does not trigger with the alligator clips, and it sounds with the fused setup.
Any thoughts here? Again not so important to have the modeling light, and most times I just want one light connected.
Just wondering if this is the better unit, and I should return this to the ebay seller.
Samlex
I can provide pics on Sunday.

What guage wiring are you using when you have it wired up with the fuse? Maybe a wire resistance issue. The alligator clips on the one you linked look quite beefy compared to the cigarette lighter plug next to it.

tetrode wrote in post #9525502
I can say it's great because it's not my idea. If you want to see a creative new wrinkle on assembling a small form factor portable power supply for your studio lights, allow me to direct your attention to this thread:

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/82318​4



Here's the finished pack:

Dave F.

Sure, you say it's small, but how do we know the troll isn't just really big?

Im sure this is a stupid question but how do you charge the battery. will the inverter do it or do you have to pull the bat out to charge it.

thank you
joe

musso wrote in post #10476410
Im sure this is a stupid question but how do you charge the battery. will the inverter do it or do you have to pull the bat out to charge it.

thank you
joe

Pick up an RC charger from a hobby shop. I use a Triton 2 but there are a million others out there that will work equally well. The battery pack should have a female Dean's plug, so you will need a cable with a male Dean's plug on one side and banana jacks on the other (or whatever connector is on your battery charger). The charger might even include this cable, since Deans is pretty ubiquitous in the RC world. You will have to open the case to charge it (:

Great thread, thanks.

Probably posted elsewhere already, but for anyone that's been living in a cave:

Paul C. Buff to unveil Vagabond Mini Lithium later this month

wow....this is awesome