WARNING:
The Vagabond system is not designed to power other brands of photoflash
equipment. Paul C. Buff, Inc. cannot be
responsible for any damage or liability that might result from unauthorized
usage.
WARNING:
The Vagabond system should always be grounded using the supplied grounding lead
and clamp. Failure to properly ground
the system may result in a life threatening shock hazard. Grounding may be accomplished by attaching
the grounding clamp to the supplied grounding stake or to a water line.
Gas
lines should not be used for grounding. To assure proper grounding, always use
three prong power cords and extension cords when connecting the flash units.
Two wire cords should not be used, as this would result in an improperly
grounded system. Proper grounding is
especially important when operating the system on damp ground. Never operate
your Vagabond system in the rain or in close proximity to bodies of water.
Remember, a lighting system powered by Vagabond functions similarly to a system
powered by house wiring and presents the same potential for electric shock.
Product Description:
The
Vagabond Portable Power System (available in two models: the V150 and the V300)
is designed to provide a portable, battery power source for Paul C. Buff, Inc.
flash units. The heart of the Vagabond
system is the CU-150 power converting unit(s), which convert current from the
12 volt internal battery to a 120 Vac, 60 Hz, current-controlled true sine wave
power source. The Vagabond V150 is
prepared to power up to ten flash units, while the V300 can power up to
twenty. Depending on the total number of
flash units, and the total number of true wattseconds combined, the Vagabond
will automatically adjust the system recycle times. Each CU-150 unit has a
grounded power outlet, where you may plug in the power cord from your flash
unit directly, or plug in a power strip to accommodate multiple flash units. The Vagabond provides a true sine wave power
source for Paul C. Buff, Inc. units, with a rechargeable battery that charges
overnight for shoot after shoot.
The Vagabond V150
includes:
•
1 CU-150 Power Converting Unit
•
1 B15A 15AH Battery
•
1 VBC Global Battery Charger
•
1 Grounding Rod with Wires
•
1 Car Lighter Adaptor
(The Vagabond 300 Wiring
Diagram)
The Vagabond V300
includes:
•
2 CU-150 Power Converting Units
•
1 B15A 15AH Battery
•
1 VBC Global Battery Charger
•
1 Grounding Rod with Wires
•
1 Car Lighter Adaptor
Both
complete systems will come assembled and ready to charge with all necessary
wires in the Vagabond Carrying Bag.
(The Vagabond 150 Wiring
Diagram)
As
supplied, the Vagabond Portable Power System (models V150 and V300) is ready for
use, and connected as shown in the wiring diagram to the right. The second CU-150 shown is only present in
the Vagabond V300 model.
Do
not connect an external battery directly to the internal battery. To use an external battery, you will
disconnect the CU-150 unit(s) from the internal battery, and connect the CU-150
unit(s) to the external battery.
Getting Started:
1. Taking Inventory
First,
take a quick inventory of the items included to ensure that there are not any
missing items, and that no items have been damaged during shipment.
1.
the green grounding wire
- the green grounding wire will be
wrapped and tied, found in the top
component of the shipping box with the manual
- the grounding wire will have a clamp on one end,
and a ring connector
on the other
2.
the grounding rod
- the grounding rod will be wrapped
in bubble wrap, found inside the
shipping box, outside of the
Vagabond bag
3.
the VBC Vagabond Battery Charger
- the VBC is a black, rectangular
piece with a wire attached to the side
(the VBC has the words “LAN POWER”
embossed on one side)
- the wire attached to the VBC has a
red and black connector pair on one
end
- the VBC is found inside the front
pouch of the VBAG Vagabond Bag
4.
the VBC Vagabond Battery Charger’s AC Power Cord
- the power cord will be wrapped and
tied, found in the front pouch of your
VBAG Vagabond Bag with the VBC
- the power cord has a two-prong AC
plug on one end, and a two-pin
appliance connector on the other
5.
the cigarette lighter adaptor
-the cigarette lighter adaptor cord
will have a red and black connector pair
on one end, and a car cigarette
lighter (car auxiliary port) adaptor on the
other
-the cigarette lighter adaptor will
be wrapped and tied in a clear plastic
bag, found in the front pouch of your VBAG Vagabond
Bag, in the right
velcro flap pocket
6.
the power converting unit(s)
if you have the Vagabond V150
system:
- there will be 1 CU-150 Power Converting Unit
found inside the VBAG
Vagabond Bag when the top is unzipped
- the CU-150 will be seated on top
of the B15A Vagabond Battery with an
orange/brown separation panel
dividing the inside space in half (the other
side will be empty, where you can
add an additional CU-150 unit to the
system in the future, if needed)
if you have the Vagabond V300 system:
- there will be 2 CU-150 Power Converting Units
found inside the VBAG
Vagabond Bag when the top is unzipped
- the CU-150 units will be seated on
top of the B15A Vagabond Battery
with an orange/brown separation panel between them
- a green wire will be in place, connecting the two
CU-150 units with ring
connectors, tightened down with a wing nut
7.
the B15A Vagabond Battery
-the battery will arrive seated in
the bottom of your VBAG Vagabond Bag
(you can gently lift the CU-150
unit(s) to see that the battery is place)
8.
The VBAG Vagabond Bag
- the padded Vagabond carrying bag
holds the B15A Vagabond Battery
and the CU-150 Power Converting
Unit(s), divided with separation panels
- the Vagabond bag has a wide
shoulder strap for travel, and two straps
across the back for attaching the
system to a light stand
2. Charging the Vagabond
Battery
To
begin shooting, you will need to first ensure that the battery is fully
charged. To charge your battery, you
will use the supplied VBC charger and its AC power cord.
LED Red means that the VBC is
charging the battery using current-
regulated output
LED Flashing Green and/or Red means
that the battery is almost fully
charged, and that the VBC
charger is periodically checking the
battery voltage
LED Green means that the battery is
fully charged, and the VBC is
maintaining the battery
using the trickle charge mode, operating
with voltage-regulated output.
For optimal
performance, please charge your battery for 12 HOURS before your first
use. This will ensure the best performance and longest
lifespan for your battery.
3. Grounding the Vagabond
If you have the Vagabond
V300 System:
Ways
To Properly Ground Your Vagabond:
It is very important to ensure proper grounding for
your safety, and the safety of others working with you, whether shooting
outdoors or indoors.
If
you are shooting outside:
If
you are in an open space out of doors, you can use the supplied grounding wire
with clamp, and the supplied grounding rod.
Simply clamp the grounding wire to the grounding rod, and push or pound
the rod into the ground. Moist soil is a
more effective ground surface than dry soil, but both will work. Sand is also acceptable, but the quality of
the ground connection will be better in moist sand than in dry sand.
If
you are shooting outdoors, in an urban environment:
Any
conductive object that is imbedded in the ground, in a concrete/pavement slab,
or sticking out of the sidewalk is likely to be an acceptable ground. For example, a sign post or a lamp post base,
a fire hydrant, a wire link or a chain link fence, a manhole cover, a storm
drain grate or a steam vent grate are all things commonly found in an urban
environment, and these are all likely to be quite acceptable as a grounding
point for attaching the Vagabond grounding wire clamp.
If
you are shooting indoors:
You can attach the grounding wire clamp to any
nearby metal fixture that is driven into or in contact with the ground, such as
a water pipe. If you are shooting
architectural work indoors, for example, you can clamp on to a nearby water
fountain.
The
scenario where a safety hazard is present would consist of one where:
A. There is a faulty or damaged light unit or other
three-wire appliance
attached – one where a short circuit exists between the power terminals and the ground terminal. Such a piece of equipment can be equally dangerous if used on ordinary house wiring if not properly grounded via the three prong power plug, through faulty house wiring or if connected to lamp cord type 2 prong extension cords.
B. One were to simultaneously touch another piece
of equipment that was connected to grounding via a three wire cord set, or by
touching a grounded metal object such as a water pipe or gas line. A shock hazard would always exist if the
equipment is operated ungrounded on a wet or damp floor, or outdoors on damp
ground. Therefore, grounding must always
be present when operating in wet locations…with any equipment…whether Vagabond
powered or power line connected.
Paul
C. Buff, Inc. light units are designed and protected in such a manner that
there is no shock hazard present on the camera body or on the remote controls
when these are connected to a light unit, as the control and sync connections
are isolated. It is possible though for
sync difficulties and control anomalies to occur if the light units are not
grounded, particularly if operated via two wire extension cords or in buildings
with faulty or ungrounded wiring.
Therefore,
it is relatively safe to operate a Vagabond-powered system ungrounded, in dry
indoor situations, as long as the power equipment is not damaged or faulty, and
precautions are taken not to touch the lights or stands while touching water
pipes or other grounded equipment. If
such objects are located within reach of the Vagabond unit, the proper
procedure would be to simply clip the Vagabond grounding wire to any such
grounded metal objects.
The
primary thing to remember is that a serious shock hazard only exists when two
conditions are present: when there is faulty or damaged equipment operated with
improper grounding. Therefore, one
should always ascertain the equipment being used is in good condition and has
not been dropped or damaged without being inspected. This applies whether or
not Vagabond power or house wiring is being used, and also applies to all other
electrical equipment designed to be operated via a three prong grounded plug
(i.e. many power tools and appliances, audio equipment, etc.).
These suggestions should not be taken as any form of disclaimer regarding our published safety precautions…they should all be followed for absolute safety and we cannot be held responsible for any unexpected consequences that might arise if they are not followed.
4. Connecting Flash Units
With
the Vagabond Portable Power System fully charged and properly grounded, you are
ready to connect your flash units.
1. First, turn your flash
unit(s) OFF.
2. Using the three-prong AC
Power Cord provided with your flash unit, plug the flash unit into the AC Power
Outlet located on the top panel of the CU-150 Power Converting Unit. If you are only powering one flash unit, you
can plug the unit’s power cord directly into the CU-150 (either CU-150 unit in
the V300 system). If you are powering
multiple flash units, you can connect an ordinary multi-outlet power strip to
the CU-150(s), making sure to use only three prong grounding connections, then
plug your flash units into the power strip.
When attaching multiple flash units to a Vagabond 300 system, optimal
recycle rates will result when the amount of wattseconds connected to each of
the two CU-150 units is more or less equal.
3. Set the modeling lamp(s)
on your flash unit(s) to the OFF position. Each CU-150 unit can provide up to
300 watts of total modeling illumination for occasional previewing, but cannot
provide modeling and recycling at the same time. Be aware that use of the modeling lamp(s)
will drastically shorten the battery life.
4. You are now ready to turn
your Vagabond Portable Power System ON.
If your Vagabond has been properly charged, the Ready Indicator Light on
the top of each CU-150 unit will glow green.
An orange glow indicates that the unit is not charged.
5. When the light glows
green, you can turn your flash unit(s) ON, and begin shooting.
5. Testing the System
Because
of the controlled recycling current, the voltage output of the CU-150 units
will lower or “brown out” during each recycle period. This is why the fans slow
down; this is normal. Flash units
manufactured by Paul C. Buff, Inc. are designed to tolerate such fluctuations
in supply voltage, while other brands may not be. Paul C. Buff, Inc. cannot be held liable for
any damage resulting from use of the Vagabond system with flash units other
than those made by Paul C. Buff, Inc. (AlienBees and White Lightning units).
Using the Vagabond Portable Power System:
Once
you have checked out the system and become familiar with it, you can use it
pretty much as you would in your studio with AC power, except for the modeling
lamps. Keep in mind that a modest amount of power is being drawn from the
battery whenever the CU-150 units are switched on, even if the flash units are
idle. For this reason, you should develop the habit of switching the CU-150
unit(s) OFF during breaks in your shooting.
If
you are using the Vagabond V300 system, remember to distribute your flash units
more or less equally by wattsecond rating between the two CU-150 units. For
example: a 640 Ws unit connected to one CU-150, and two 320 Ws units connected
to the other would yield optimum recycle times of about four seconds.
After
each shot, you will hear the vibrating sound as the flash units recycle. When
about 3/4 of the battery capacity has been used, the CU-150 unit(s) will begin
to sound an audible alarm during recycle. At first just a short tone, then a
longer tone as you use more of the battery’s capacity. When the battery is
completely exhausted the CU-150 unit(s) will shut down and sound a continuous
low battery sound. It may be possible to get a few more shots by letting the
system rest for a few minutes after it has shut down. It is also possible for
the CU-150 unit(s) to shut down from overheating, but this is very unlikely
because the battery will usually become exhausted before any overheating. In
testing, we have fired 200 shots at 1200 Ws each in less than one hour without
overheating the unit.
Always Recharge the Battery Promptly:
It
is extremely important that the battery be recharged as soon as possible after
is has been depleted. If the battery is left in a discharged state for long
periods of time (days), its ability to hold a charge will be reduced. This is
the number
one
cause of battery failure for all types of rechargeable batteries. The VBC
Battery Charger included with your Vagabond system is a “smart” charger
designed to give you maximum battery life and ease of charging. The VBC operates from any voltage, from 90
Vac to 270 Vac at 50 or 60 Hz, therefore, it may be operated from power lines
anywhere in the world (given the proper plug adaptor).
Recharging Your Battery With the VBC Battery
Charger:
You
will recharge the Vagabond battery following the same steps used when you
charged the battery for the first time.
You will first locate the VBC and its AC power cord in the Vagabond Bag
front flap pocket. Next, you will plug
the VBC charger’s AC power cord into the two-pin appliance receptacle at the end
of the VBC housing, and plug the AC Power Cord into an AC outlet. As before, the status indicator LED in the
small rectangular window on the VBC housing top should glow green. You will next locate the red and black DC
connector pair inside the left hand compartment of the Vagabond’s front flap
pocket, and connect the VBC to the Vagabond battery charger port. Once connected, the VBC will again glow red,
green, or flashing green and/or red.
When the LED glows green, the battery is fully charged. Once charged, the Vagabond is ready to be
used immediately or stored.
Storing the Vagabond:
When
you are not actively using the Vagabond, it is best to keep the VBC connected
to the Vagabond battery charger port and plugged into a source of AC
power. This allows the battery to
constantly charge while not in use. This
keeps the battery fresh using the VBC voltage-regulated trickle charge
function. It is important that the
battery be maintained using the trickle charger if the Vagabond is idle for
long periods of time. Failure to do so
will severely shorten the life of the battery.
Allowing the battery to charge while not in use will maintain the
battery, and keep the Vagabond ready for your next shoot.
If
you intend to store the Vagabond for longer periods of time, first ensure that
the battery is completely charged. Once
the battery has charged, disconnect the VBC from the Vagabond battery charger
port. Unplug the VBC from the AC outlet,
and store the VBC and cord set in the front flap pocket. It is important that the VBC is disconnected
from the Vagabond battery charger port when the battery is not being charged or
maintained by the VBC. Failure to
disconnect the VBC when it is not active will deplete the charge in the
Vagabond internal battery. Storing a
depleted lead-acid battery without first charging it fully will ruin the
battery.
Using a Car Battery or Other External
Battery:
The
CU-150 converter unit(s) may be operated from any 12 Volt lead acid battery
having at least a 5 AH rating. If you plan
to use an external battery, you will first need to disconnect the CU-150
unit(s) from the Vagabond battery.
To
use a CU-150 unit with a car battery, you will use the supplied cigarette
lighter adaptor. Please note that this
adaptor is designed to bypass the Vagabond battery, and connect your CU-150
unit to your car’s battery to convert power.
The cigarette lighter adaptor MAY NOT BE USED to recharge your Vagabond
battery. If you plan to use a car battery, you will first need to disconnect
the CU-150 unit(s) from the Vagabond battery.
Because
of the car’s fusing, you will only be able to connect one CU-150 unit via the
cigarette lighter. If you need to connect more than one CU-150 to a car battery
you will need to obtain a cord set that connects to the battery with large
“jumper cable” type battery clamps. By
running the car’s engine periodically, you will be able to shoot as many shots
as you like from one, two or even three CU-150 units thus connected.
When
using an external battery you should always be aware that connecting a charged
battery to a discharged battery can result in dangerously high current flow and
can result in sparking, a blown fuse and/or possible damage to one of
the
batteries.
Operating Auxiliary Equipment:
The
Vagabond system may also be used as a source of power for small electrical
appliances
such as fans, tvs, computers, or radios.
Each CU-150 unit can supply
150
watts of power continuously, or up to 300 watts for periods of up to about 20
minutes.
The CU-150 units are fully protected from overheating, overloading and
discharged
battery and will automatically shut down if any of these conditions are
present. Auxiliary uses, however, should not be
attempted simultaneously while
recycling
flash units from the same CU-150 unit because of the “brown out”
conditions
mentioned above. In the case of a
Vagabond 300 system, though, it is permissible to dedicate one CU-150 unit to
auxiliary uses while recycling flash
units
with the other CU-150. For example, you
might choose to continuously
operate
a wind producing fan and/or perhaps a radio from one CU-150 while
recycling
your flash units from the second CU-150.
These
values represent the typical performance of a fully charged Vagabond powering a
constant load. Performance will vary with the type of load, and depends upon
power factor, as well as peak current demand.
|
Power
Consumption of Load in Watts |
Minutes of Operation Before
Shutdown
|
|
50 W |
130 minutes +/- |
|
60 W |
110 minutes +/- |
|
75 W |
85 minutes +/- |
|
100 W |
60 minutes +/- |
|
150 W |
35 minutes +/- |
|
200 W (V300 only) |
22 minutes +/- |
|
300 W (V300 only) |
15 minutes +/- |
If
you plan to power auxiliary equipment with the Vagabond, you should consult the
product’s manual and/or check with the product manufacturer to determine the
power consumption. For example, a laptop
computer (varying loads depending on the mode, screen usage, etc.) may have
anywhere from 15 W to 45 W of power consumption.
Please
note that as the power consumption of the load increases, the efficiency of the
Vagabond inverter decreases. Please also note that, as in any Lead Acid
battery system, the amount of power available from the battery depends upon
operating temperature. Operating temperatures substantially higher than,
or lower than room temperature will result in less power being delivered from
the battery, and shorter operating times than those stated above.
Frequently Asked Questions and
Troubleshooting:
We get lots of great
questions here, and we do our best to answer them fully and easily. Here are the answers to some FAQ's that can
often be easy and fast solutions to your problems or questions about features
and use. If you still have further
questions, please contact us. You can or call our Toll Free Customer Service Line
at 1-800-443-5542 We are open Monday
through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Central Standard Time. Thanks for ordering the Vagabond!
Q:
What kind of battery does the Vagabond use?
A: The battery supplied with
the Vagabond is a Sealed Lead Acid Battery.
Q:
Can I take my Vagabond when I travel by air?
A: Yes. The battery is
spill-proof, and has all the necessary approvals to be shipped by UPS, US Mail,
and to be transported by airline as checked-in baggage (Unregulated per DOT 49
CFR 173, 159 (d), and IATA/ICAO Special Provision A67). When checked in
for transport, it must be labeled: “Non-Spillable Battery” for all
modes of public transportation, and the label must be visible, so tag the bag, or box it for air travel.
Please understand that some airlines may simply refuse to transport any device
that contains a lead acid battery, even one conforming to the current
regulations, so check with the airline first for any special shipping or
packaging requirements.
Q:
Does the battery in the Vagabond have a memory? Should I discharge it
completely before I charge it up? When
should I charge the battery?
A: The lead acid battery does
not have a “memory”. You do not have to
discharge the battery completely before you recharge it. The battery should, however, be recharged
after every use. Recharging the battery
after every use will extend the life of the battery, and leaving the battery in
a discharged condition for longer than 24 hours will begin a process known as
“sulfation”, which will rob the battery of its useful life.
Q: Is it really important
to ground my Vagabond unit?
A: Yes. The
grounding rod is provided for your safety, and the Vagabond unit must be
properly grounded whenever it is used.
Q: Is there a “right” way to charge my
battery? Are there things I must avoid
doing?
A: Yes, there is a correct way to charge the
battery. You should always charge the
battery as soon after each use as is practical.
When you first connect the VBC to the red and black Charger Port
connections, and plug in the AC power cord, the Status Indicator LED in the
corner of the VBC top cover will glow red.
This indicates that the battery is charging at its maximum rate. As the battery charging cycle nears
completion, the VBC Status Indicator LED will begin to flash. This is normal, and shows that the battery is
about 95% charged. You should charge the
battery fully, until the VBC Status Indicator LED glows solid green. If the indicator does not change to solid
green after more than 12 hours of charging time, it may indicate a problem in
the battery/charger system. The most
common problem is light sulfation of the battery, which may be alleviated by
repeated charge/discharge cycles. If the
problem persists, contact our Customer Service Department. Always turn the CU-150 units off when
charging the battery. Allowing the
CU-150 units to operate while the battery is being fully recharged will cause
the VBC to overcharge the battery, and the battery will be destroyed. We do not recommend using the Vagabond to
power your lights while simultaneously charging the battery.
Q: Do I need to ground the Vagabond using the
ground connection when I charge the battery?
A: No. The
ground terminal is only necessary when operating your lights using the
Vagabond.
Q: Can I recharge my battery
directly from my car battery?
A: Yes! We are pleased to offer a new Vagabond
accessory, the VCA Vagabond
Battery Charger Car adaptor
that will allow you to charge your Vagabond Battery directly
from your car! This item is now available for purchase by phone and online!
Please note that the cigarette lighter adaptor supplied with your Vagabond System is different from the VCA Car Adaptor. The supplied cigarette lighter adaptor (that comes with each Vagabond System) is designed to bypass the Vagabond Battery. With this cord, you are using your car's battery power, converted by the CU-150 Power Converting Unit into useable power for your flash units. As this cord connects your car's battery directly to the CU-150, it eliminates the use of the Vagabond Battery, and cannot recharge it.
Q:
What happens when the battery runs down?
A: As the battery nears
depletion, you will hear the CU-150 "beep" when the lights recycle.
Near the end of the charge, the LED on the CU-150 will start to change to
orange, and the unit will actually shut off, then come back on when the lights
are recycling, and, of course, the CU-150
will beep more and longer. When this happens, you must recharge the
battery. If you turn the unit off for a few minutes, you may be able get
another half-dozen or more shots out of it, depending on how many lights you
are using, and how big the lights are. This is not recommended unless it
is a have-to situation, because repeatedly discharging the battery too much
will shorten the useful life of the battery.
Q:
How long will my battery last?
A: In normal use, the battery
should last for several hundred charge/discharge cycles. Things that will
shorten the battery life are high temperatures, overcharging the battery using
an external battery charger such as an automotive battery charger, repeated
excessive deep discharges, storing the battery in a discharged condition, and
extreme physical abuse, such as dropping the battery.
Q: How long does it take
to recharge my battery?
A: Using the VBC
Vagabond Battery Charger, it will take about five hours to fully recharge an
exhausted battery. This is typical of all lead-acid battery systems when
charged at the recommended rate. If the battery is not completely exhausted,
the recharge cycle will take less time.
Q:
Is it OK if I don’t use my Vagabond frequently, and let it sit for a long time?
A: If you are going to let
your Vagabond sit idle for a couple of weeks at a time, make sure that the
battery is fully charged, and the VBC battery charger is disconnected from the
red and black connector pair before you store it. When bringing your Vagabond out of short-term
storage, it is a good idea to charge the battery fully before using it; while
you don’t have to do this, it will help extend the useful life of the
battery. If you anticipate storing the
Vagabond for longer periods of time, you should keep your battery charger
plugged in and operating. The battery charger has a maintenance charge function
that will keep your battery fully charged. Storing the battery for
extended periods (months) without having the charger plugged in and operating will
shorten the useful life of the battery.
Q: Is there a “right” way to use and store an
extra battery?
A: Yes.
If you purchased a spare Vagabond battery (B15A and “Y” cable) you must
charge and maintain it the same as the internal battery. Use the Vagabond VBC, and connect it directly
to the red and black DC connectors on the “Y” cable. Charge the extra battery fully, just as you
would the Vagabond’s internal battery. Recharge it after every use, and be sure
that it is fully charged before storing it.
For long-term storage, you may decide to purchase an additional VBC to
maintain your extra battery. As an
alternative, you may periodically use the Vagabond’s VBC to fully charge the
extra battery during long periods of storage.
For example, fully charging the extra battery once a month during long
periods of storage, then returning the VBC to its normal use as a maintenance
charger for the Vagabond’s internal battery will keep both batteries in
ready-to-use condition, and extend the useful life of the extra battery.
Q: What is the difference
between the Vagabond 150 System and the Vagabond 300 System?
A: Both the
Vagabond 150 and 300 Systems draw power from a single battery. Each system
will, therefore, provide the same number of full power flashes based on the
combined number of true wattseconds connected. The Vagabond 300 System,
however, has two CU-150 Power Converting Units, where the Vagabond 150 System
has just one. The additional CU-150 allows the Vagabond 300 System to recycle
between flashes faster. The total recycle time is decreased with the V300 as
units are connected to both CU-150 power converting units, and the recycle time
is shared between the two. When using the Vagabond to power only one unit, it
is only connected to one CU-150, and therefore the recycle time will not
change. Please visit our Vagabond Page to see the chart of full power flashes
and recycle times with each system.
Problem: The CU-150 is completely dead. No indicator
light or output.
Possible
causes: The battery was left in a discharged state
for a long time and has no charge, or has been damaged and cannot be charged.
Try to charge the battery. The red light on the charger should initially come
on. Once the battery is fully charged, the green light should come on. Check
all the connections to make sure everything is plugged in. Check the fuse
between the BC-15 charger and the battery. Check the fuse in the connection
from battery to CU-150. If the battery is charged and all connections and fuses
are ok, disconnect the CU-150 unit and remove the bottom plate. There is
another fuse inside that could have blown. All fuses are 20 amp automotive type
readily available at Home Depot, Lowes, K Mart and other stores.
Problem: The Vagabond battery
won’t stay charged as long as it did at first.
Possible
causes: The battery was left in a discharged state
for a long time and cannot hold a full charge. Replace the battery. Always
recharge the battery soon after every use. It is normal for the battery to lose
capacity after several hundred cycles.
Problem: In my Vagabond 300
system, one CU-150 unit recycles faster than the other.
Possible
causes: Check to see if the wattsecond ratings and
power settings of the lights connected to one CU-150 are much greater than the
lights connected to the other CU-150. They will only recycle at the same rate
if they are both cycling the same amount of wattseconds.
Please contact our
Technical Services Department if you have any questions or comments regarding
the use of or grounding of the Vagabond Portable Power System. Our Toll Free Customer Service Line is
1-800-443-5542, and we are here Monday through Friday, from 9:00am until
5:00pm, Central Standard Time. The
Vagabond Portable Power System is made by Paul C. Buff, Inc., to provide
portable power for both the AlienBees and White Lightning Flash Units.
Paul C. Buff, Inc.
2725 Bransford Avenue Nashville, TN
37204 local (615) 383-3982