Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 27

Thread: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    9,487

    110AC Strobes off a Car?

    It's been a while, I used to use a generator....

    What is the current best practice? you know, throwing money at it....

    And what is the best down and dirty ghetto method? you know, like cheap and flammable....

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
    Posts
    14,409

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    Make sure that the flash units can work on square wave that some car 110V adapters put out. Had one studio that bought several Broncolor Monopacks from us several years ago to outfit vans to do kidnapping photos (infant at home shots via hospital contracts and diaper services). They could only get a dozen or so shots before the flash units blew up as they couldn't handle the square wave output. These were strobes made for line voltage only so check with the manufacturer before you get a surprise.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    9,487

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    Hmm I wonder about old Dynalites?

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
    Posts
    14,409

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Petronio View Post
    Hmm I wonder about old Dynalites?
    Easy to find out just give them a call. They are in Roselle, NJ 908 245-5433.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sonora, California
    Posts
    1,475

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    See what Paul Buff has to say about the Alien Bees Vagabond II portable power thingy.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    now in Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    3,618

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    My ancient (c.1990) Jon Falk book "Adventures in Location Lighting" suggests an LTM or Vanner inverter, or a Power-Mite 110 generator, attached to your car's engine. Dyna-lites are/were his brand of choice, altough even then they were M-series, not the older D-series.
    Down'n'dirty... lighting your models with the car headlights?

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Sillycon Valley, CA
    Posts
    295

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    Dunno where this fits in your scheme, but I've rented the ProFoto battery powered strobes (Pro 7b i think) with two heads. Rated at 250x 1200Ws pops per battery, which is easily replaceable. Looks like there is a charger that works off of 12V power too.

    -Darren

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    9,487

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    I take it the little $39 Radio Shack Inverters shudder and melt?

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    751

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    I use a Tronix Explorer XT and it works great with my Elinchrom heads (600S and 1200S)... I think it's a real bargain at $350 - http://innovatronix.com/prodindex.asp

  10. #10
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Fond du Lac, WI, USA
    Posts
    8,954

    Re: 110AC Strobes off a Car?

    We have a Dyna-lite battery system that powers their 110v standard location packs. Basically, it takes batteries that look like very small car batteries. We have three of the batteries, and one of the charger/voltage converter modules.

    We also just ordered some dynalite monolights with come with their "jack rabbit" batteries, but they haven't arrived yet.

    If you want to run off a standard 12 volt converter, I'd stick to the old fashioned type of strobes like Dynalite, Speedo... and avoid ones with fancy electronics. I doubt that Broncolors are square wave friendly.

Similar Threads

  1. Large Format and Strobes
    By doncody in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 11-Aug-2007, 07:15
  2. Damage to lens cement in hot car
    By Bill_1856 in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 26-Jul-2007, 16:39
  3. New to strobes, film ended up blank
    By Gary L. Quay in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 17-May-2007, 01:47
  4. forgot to set shutter speed with strobes!
    By Tim Hettinger in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 31-Jan-2005, 10:43
  5. Sign: Don't leave valuables in car
    By Al Seyle in forum Location & Travel
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 6-Aug-2004, 02:47

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •