On Location Strobes From Deep Cycle Battery

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/18/2008 03:48:42 PM · #1

I have 3 Hensel studio strobes that I'd like to take out to shoot outdoors day & evening/night. I was thinking about powering them with a deep cycle marine battery and a power inverter that will sustain 120volts and 1500watts and peaks out at 3000watts. I'm sure this would be sufficient to power my strobes all day long, but I'm not sure how to make the calculation to figure out the exact usage time.

Can anyone help?

MattO

Nikon D4

11/18/2008 04:09:30 PM · #2

Strobes are actually very very picky about the type and condition of voltage that they recieve. I would think carefully about using anything that isnt giving you true sine wave voltage to them. That is unless you dont really like your strobes.

Matt

11/18/2008 04:50:44 PM · #3

It could actually damage the strobes? How do I find out it it would work or not? How do photographers generally use their strobes out on location?

This is my inverter: //www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI-1575-Power-Inverter/dp/B00126IDDC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227045209&sr=8-5

Originally posted by MattO:

Message edited by author 2008-11-18 16:55:04.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

11/18/2008 05:19:09 PM · #4

In the industry that I proclaimed a career from, and yet have seen any reason why I should write an autobiography about...

...we use the same set up, almost exactly.

The difference is that we don't use 12v at all. We usually parallel two 12v together, making a 24v system to the inverter.

Now, my question to you is, what are your strobes rated at? You may not damage the globe, but you certainly can damage the electronics which is worse than damaging the globe.

To answer your question about the time is that they will last quite a while for strobes.

To compare, one 800w Joker HMI Par lamp on the 24v to inverter system left on continuously will stay ignited for 30 minutes.

Strobes are not usually on continuously.

The thing about deep cycle is that they take a long time to recharge, and you have to be careful not to over charge. You must have a hydrometer to check the electrolytes to determine how to recharge.

Hope this helps.

11/18/2008 06:18:10 PM · #5

I'm not sure what my strobes are rated at... Something like 120v and 50/60hz.

Maybe I should just go to home depot and buy some constant power lights to use to be safe instead of spending thousands to be able to shoot with the strobes...

Prof_Fate

11/18/2008 06:28:14 PM · #6

From a couple of discussions that have occurred on other forums here are things to be aware of:

Many strobes use the sine wave to determine charge - so if it's not the 'good' kind you can blow up your strobe's cap or charging circuitry. I think you need a square wave unit - google a bit and you can probably figure out you need the more expensive ones.

Does your strobe have a cooling fan? It runs all the time for one thing, and second when the strobe is fired it will pull a large voltage immediately after causing the fan to slow - not all strobes can take this voltage drop and live to tell about it. (long term).

Alien Bee's have a Vagabond battery deal that will work with their strobes. They guarantee it. I have one and use it with Interfit Stellar strobes and they seem to work fine - but then I had one blow it's cap on my Sunday (wall voltage). Was this related to use on a battery pack? I have no way of knowing but perhpaps it was. I've considered buying ABs just for travel use for this very reason, but I don't use the batt pack all that often really, but when you need it there is no substitute.

How many licks to get to the center, I mean, how many flashes till you need flash powder cause the batt's dead? The vagabond has a small 12v gel cell similar to a motorcycle or tractor battery, size wise, and they say it'll last some 200 full pops from a 600ws light if my memory serves (check their site to be sure). So if you've got some marine battery you'll run a very long time.

The vaganond is complete - batt, inverter, directions, carry bag and warranty for around $350 - cheaper than most aux batt packs for speedlights.

11/22/2008 12:03:54 AM · #7

As a follow up, I have the Hensel Integra 500 Strobes. Does anyone know if these would work with the inverter I mentioned above or are they also touchy to sine waves?

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

11/22/2008 01:12:45 AM · #8

If you go with the inverter, have a look at Harbor Freight Tools on Google, then search "inverter" there.
We run everything 120 volt on my sons 60 ft sail boat with one of their 2,000 W inverters. One of the things we found out was that you need BIG wire from the battery to the inverter to get what it can offer.
It takes 100 amps at 12 volts to make 1,000 watts of 120 volts if you do not include losses due to efficiency. The inverters are very sensitive to low voltage spikes when the load suddenly comes on, like when a motor it trying to start.
Your strobes will not use that much power continuously, but they may need it for short bursts while caps are charging, esp the first charge when you turn them on from zero charge.
You may want to look into getting a big APC computer backup power supply if you think you may need pure sine wave power. Some of them have a 12 volt gel cell in them as big as a car battery.
Square wave power is not a good idea at all. It will be very hard on transformers and other electronics. Line power from the socket in your home is sine wave.
Regular generators make sine wave power too. The new Honda ones that use inverters are great, quiet, and efficient because the motor only runs as fast as it needs to in order to make the amount of power demanded.
Your strobes 120 volt power supply should have a maximum line power needed (in watts) marked on the data/name plate.

Message edited by author 2008-11-22 01:16:05.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

11/23/2008 11:18:16 AM · #9

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

I agree for the most part of this post, but, also, you have to understand that you get what you pay for.

Not all inverters are the same. Cheap is cheap. I don't know your inverter, but do know that we, my department, never rely on off the shelf products from an auto store. We usually have to special order inverters that cost around $1200 for a 1800w inverter.

Also, gel type batteries are great, but sensative to recharges. If you overcharge a gel type battery, that gel will crystalize and all you will have is a paper weight.

And lastly, 12/3 SJO indoor/outdoor cable is the best, all around cable to be used in any and all 120v 20a 60hz situations.

Moose408