I did not see any reason to buy CSR over CSRB. Battery life is long and
battery cost is low. No significant reason not to choose versatility
unless you can't share between studio and field use.
I built my own equivalent of the Vagabond Power System:
<http://www.chucknorcutt.com/gear/Powerpack%20for%20Bees.jpg>
I saved about 1/2 the cost but I'm not sure I would do it again. I had
difficulty getting reliable connections to the battery which are just
push-on spade connectors which tend to work loose. I used a higher power
true sine wave inverter and it can recycle the flashes about twice as
fast as the Vagabond. But what I didn't realize is that the inverter
draws a lot of power when just idling. A smaller inverter would have
provided acceptable recycling time and lower battery drain at idle.
It's never really been a problem but I did change my battery from 12AH
to 17AH and also shut off the inverter if I expect a lull in the
activity. Also, all true sine wave inverters are not created equal.
The first brand I tried didn't work at all as the flashes wouldn't
charge. My homebuilt unit is all assembled in a small hydration
backpack. I use a truck fleet battery maintainer as a charger.
These days the Bees hardly ever get used and then only outdoors with two
lights instead of four. I should do some more experimenting with my
multiple T32 arrangement and rebuild a second unit which I dismantled.
I might well decide that I no longer need the Bees and the inverter.
Chuck Norcutt
Robert Burnette wrote:
> Thanks Chuck:
>
> Ahhhh. So that's why you chose the Alien Bees CSRB receiver instead
> of the CSR. I purchased the CSTs and CSRs since we have to supply AC
> to our AB units anyway. I suppose that I'll have to order a CSRB+ so
> I can use it with the T32s and the SP power pack . I'll need to
> switch to the CSR+(s) soon anyway, since I am very interested in the
> upcoming Cyber Commander unit for total remote control of our AB
> lights. I was told that I can swap my newest CSR (still boxed) in on
> the CSR+ unit. (That's why I like dealing with Paul C. Buff.)
>
> Eventually, I plan to purchase a Vagabond II Portable Power System
> for remote (location) shoots. Now I plan photo ops where there is AC
> power available (i.e park lodges). A dual T32,SP pack, umbrella and
> collapsible reflector set-up would give me more flexibility for
> certain shoots.
>
> I have three T32s, a TTL Auto Cord 0.3m, a bar with two hot shoes
> mounted on it, a couple of TTL Auto Connector T20s, the
> tripod/umbrella adapter and a couple of sizes of umbrellas. I need
> the QT48 and another C03 cable. I need the spare C03 for the new SP
> power pack. That will solve the dual C03 problem.
>
> Incidently, have you seen AB's new 86" PLM Parabolic Umbrella? That
> thing is huge! It looks like a small parachute when opened. I plan to
> experiment with it in dim church settings for wedding group shots. It
> looks like it would light an entire church altar area with a AB 800
> unit attached. (Another reason to get the Vagabond II power system.
> It would save a lot of searching for electrical outlets.)
>
> Robert
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Chuck Norcutt Date: Monday, August
> 17, 2009 18:15 Subject: Re: [OM] SP Systems Power Pack w/T32
>
>
>> Yes, you need two Quantum CO3 cables (one for each flash). I use
>> radio slaves to fire the flashes. The easiest thing to do to sync a
>> pair of T32s is to join them with a short TTL cable (such as the
>> 0.3 meter) at their side ports. But, since you will want to install
>> them in some sort of shoe you can use a hot shoe and any kind of
>> "Y" arrangement from there. I like to use Paramount Cords
>> "miniphone to female hot shoe" which, for my Alien Bees radio
>> slaves plugs directly into the slave unit. For two flashes you
>> could build or buy some sort of miniphone Y plug.
>
>> <http://www.paramountcords.com/proddetail.asp?prod=PW-MHSF1&cat=85>
>>
>
>> Note the different hot shoes on the T32 arrangement I showed before
>>
>
> <http://www.chucknorcutt.com/gear/Umbrella%20adapter%20mounted%20on%20tripod%20%232.jpg>
>
>
>> When the two flashes are joined with a short TTL cable one can run
>> a TTL cable into the T20 connector at right or any sort of PC cable
>> into the hot show adapter at left.
>>
>> Chuck Norcutt
>
>>
--
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