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International Powering

For powering AlienBees or White Lightning flash units on 240VAC in the studio we recommend the use of inexpensive 2 way (120V to 240V or 240V to 120V) true magnetic transformers. Suitable transformers are available from the following links. Only true magnetic transformers should be used - not "Electronic Transformers" or "Converters".

When powered by transformers, your light units will be fully functional, including modeling lamps. When operated at 50HZ, recycle times will be about 15% longer than the stated recycle rates for operation from 120VAC 60HZ power lines.

To operate a single AB or WL light unit, we recommend a minimum 300W transformer. If you are using AB1600 or WLX1600 or 3200, a 500 Watt transformer will allow faster shooting rates without danger of blowing fuses in the transformer.

To operate three or four light units, we recommend a minimum 750 Watt transformer. If you are using higher power light units (AB1600 or WLX1600/3200), or shooting heavily, a 1000 Watt to 1500 Watt transformer will give you more freedom from blowing fuses.

Fuses are easily replaced in these transformers in the event you overload them by rapid shooting rates.

Please see Vagabond information at http://www.white-lightning.com/battery.html

It is practical to operate several light units from each Power Converting Unit by using a multiple outlet power strip. The recycle rates will remain 150WS per second on each Power Converting Unit, relative to the aggregate power of the light units. For instance, if eight AB1600 units (640WS each)  are connected to a single Power Converting Unit (re Vagabond 150) the total power would be 5,12WS (all at Full Power) and the resulting recycle time would be 34 seconds. Using the Vagabond 300 in this situation, with four lights on each Power Converting Unit, would reduce the recycle time to 17 seconds.

All recycle rates are proportional to the power settings on the units, so much faster recycle times will result when light units are set at less than Full Power.

While it is feasible to operate modeling lamps for a short time using the Vagabond, it is not practical to continuously operate modeling lamps during shooting as the battery life will be vastly diminished.