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FAQ - Broncolor

Can I travel on airlines with the batteries from my broncolor stobe power pack?

 

Yes you can travel with lead acid or lithium broncolor batteries for the Mobil A2R/A2L or Verso Power Dock on a commercial airline flight.  If you want extra assurance then simply download the IATA conformity statement from Bron Elektronik

 

Error code: Blinking power level...?

 

If the power output of your broncolor pack is blinking after firing the pack (the head may or may not have fired).  This generally means that the head has misfired.  Check the cabling and check that the flashtube is in good condition and is properly seated.

 

How do I replace fuses on packs and heads? What fuses do I use?

 

Prior to replacing fuses, disconnect the power pack and the lamp from the power supply!

Broncolor flash light systems should only be equipped original Broncolor spare parts!

Only sand-filled fuses of the type indicated on the fuse type plate on the lamphead should be used; otherwise you may cause damage to the modeling light during a power surge.

 

Mobil A2r vs Mobil A2L packs?

 

The Mobil A2L battery power flash pack builds on the features of the Mobil A2r.  But the introduction of the A2L actually opened up new features for existing Mobil A2r packs by allowing Lithium batteries to be used with the Mobil A2r.  The the chart below for a comparison.

 

 

Mobil a2r

Mobil a2L

Flash Energy

1200 ws

1200ws

Lamp Outlets

2

2

Asymetry

50/50; 70/30; 80/20

50/50; 70/30; 80/20

Modeling Light (Support)

12V 100W Halogen each head - or LED (see below)

12V 100W Halogen each head - or LED (see below)

Modeling Light Settings

Off

Up to 80 secs then off

Off

Up to 80 sec then off

Continuous: (charges flash, modeling light constant – some flicker as flash charges)

Video: Not fully charging flash for non flickering video light

Compatible Heads

Mobilite2 (fully functioning)

MobiLED (fully functioning)

Pulso, Unilite, Mobilite (without modeling light)

Mobilite2 (fully functioning)

MobiLED (fully functioning)

Pulso, Unilite, Mobilite (without modeling light)

 

 

 

 

Triggering

Sync Cable

Broncolor RFS

Upgradable to RFS2 receiver (no power control)  (late 2011 avail.)

Sync Cable

Broncolor RFS

Upgradable to RFS2 receiver (no power control) (late 2011 avail.)

Nr of Flashes per charge

Full Power: 130 flashes

Recycle time degrades as battery power declines

 

Full Power: 200 flashes

Over 2,000 flashes at minimum power

 

Constant recycle time

Battery Duty Life

300 charges

1200 charges

Dimensions

Weight

9.4 x 6 x 11.6"

20lbs

9.4 x 6 x 11.6"

15.5lbs

Battery Compatibility

Lead Acid:  Compatible (Can Charge in power pack or with external charger)

Lithium: Compatible (but must charge out of power pack)

Lead Acid:  Compatible (Can Charge in power pack or with external charger)

Lithium: Compatible (Can Charge in power pack or with external charger)

 

 

 

Mobilite vs Mobilite2 vs MobiLED

 

 

Mobilite

Mobilite2

MobiLED

Flash Energy Max

1600 ws

1600 ws

1600 ws (must confirm)

Modeling Light

(need info)

12V 100W Halogen

 

1000 Lux

5500k LED

 

850 Lux

Other

 

 

Continuous Light Adapter allows head to be plugged into DC source to use LED modeling light for continuous light without need to attach to a power pack.

Compatibility

Can work with all broncolor packs without modeling light.  Modeling light only works with original broncolor “Mobil” packs (not Mobil A2r or Mobil A2L)

Works with all broncolor packs.  Modeling light only works with Mobil A2r or A2L

Works with all broncolor packs.  Modeling light only works with Mobil A2r or A2L

Accy adapter

Mobil/Pico adapter

Special adapter available for Pulso mount compatibility

Mobil/Pico adapter

Special adapter available for Pulso mount compatibility

Pulso Mount

Operating Time of Modeling Light without flashing

N/A

Less than 1 hour (but system does  not allow constant setting for modeling light)

3 hours on video setting.

 

 

Are all broncolor lamp heads compatible with all broncolor power packs?

 

Yes, all broncolor heads are compatible with all broncolor packs back to 1972. there are a few things that you should know though. The broncolor Mobilite heads have a low current draw modeling light designed for use on the Mobil a2r pack. This means that the Mobilite heads modeling light will not work when plugging the head into a regular AC powered studio pack. Conversely, Unilite and Pulso head modeling lights will not function when plugging them into a Mobil a2r pack. Either way there is no risk of damage to either the pack or the head. The pin outs on the heads are different so the only behavior is that the lamphead modeling light will not turn on.

Update:  As of the release of the Litos lamp head in September 2010 that above statement s no longer accurate.  Litos is a lightweight head that was created specificall for use with teh Senso pwer pack.  Litos will only operate on a Senso power pack and not on other broncolor packs.  But in addition to the Lito head any other broncolor head can be used with the Senso power pack.

 

What is a broncolor mini-satellite reflector and how does it work?

 

A mini-satellite is the smaller version of the Satellite Evolution. It is an extremely high output and an adjustable light angle. The Satellite and mini-satelite reflectors provide a great imitation of sunlight and can be used to project a shaft of light across a large distance with minimal light spill.

The mini satellite provides a focusing shaft to allow a mounted lamphead to travel back and forth to provide focusing.  The Mini-Satellite should be used with a small collar mounted to Pulso and Unilite lampheads to prevent light spill from the lamphead.  When using a focusable Pulso lamphead you also have a second focusing mechanism in the lamphead that allows precise control over the focus.  See the image below for details on how to focus the lamphead.

 

BRONCOLOR_minisatellite_focusing

 

The top section shows how to position the head on the focusing shaft for different effects.

In the focusing block on the bottom of the images the lightning bolt represents how to position the Pulso head focusing dial to optimally place the flashtube in the lamphead for a given position of the heada on the focusing rod.  Since the modeling light is in a different position as the flashtube, the bottom row showing the lightbulb shows you how to focus the head to see the effect of the actual flash from the modeling light.

Also note that the Satellite and Mini-Satellite both function most effectively with the broncolor clear dome attached to them.

 

Where can I find modeling lights, domes, or flashtubes for my broncolor or Visatec products?

 

You can buy replacement glass (protective uv domes, flash tubes, and modeling lights) from any authorized broncolor dealer.  You can find out which model you need by visiting our product website at http://products.bronimaging.com and searching on the type of head that you have.  The replacement products show up as related items under each flash head.

 

What is the difference between a 1600 ws and a 3200 ws lamp head?

 

A Pulso G2 (1600 ws) and a Pulso G4 (3200 ws) lamphead are the same lamphead body.  The only difference is the flashtube that each uses.  The same is true of the Unilite line of lampheads the 1600 ws and 3200 ws versions of the heads are the same, but the flash  tube in each is much different.

The 1600 ws models are designed for use in any pack, but only up to 1600 ws of output.  These flash tubes are less expensive and will wear out much faster if used above their rated 1600ws.  There is no danger in using them above 1600 ws - only a shorter life.  The 3200 ws tubes on the other hand can be used at any power up to 3200 ws.  broncolor also sell specialized bi-tubes adn specialty sinagel tubes for use up to 6400 ws of output (see the PUlso 8 products).

 

How does the Verso power dock work on the 1200 ws and 2400 ws Verso packs?

 

Verso A4 RFS can be operated as a mains (AC-line) independent unit. The Verso Power Dock comprises of a high-performance battery package with integrated charging unit as well as an independent processor for battery management and monitoring of the modeling light. The Power Dock is the same for the 1200 watt second Verso A2 and the 2400 watt second Verso A4.  The unit is attached to the bottom of the power pack.  It is charges with a normal 2 proing AC line cord (available at any radio shack, etc).  The Verso also works as a normal AC studio pack when a power dock is not connected.

 

broncolor Scoro and Grafit flash duration - how to set a pack to its fastest flash duration?

 

The following are the flash duration settings for the Grafit and Scoro.

 

Grafit

The shortest flash duration on a Grafit A4 is at power level 4.3 - at power level 4.3 you will have a flash duration where 90% of the flash energy is expelled in 1/7000 of a second (in other words t=0.1 = 1/7000sec).  Do not confuse this number with the numbers published by Profoto that only account for 50% of the flash energy.

Scoro

The shortest flash duration on the Scoro A4s is at power level 3.9 - at power level 3.9 you have a flash duration where 90% of the flash energy is expelled in 1/8000 of a second (in other words t=0.1 = 1/8000sec).  Do not confuse this number with the numbers published by Profoto that only account for 50% of the flash energy.

 

Grafit A2

T 0.1= 1/150 – 1/6000 s

T 0.5= 1/450 – 1/10000 s

 

Grafit A4

T 0.1= 1/80 – 1/6000 s

T 0.5= 1/240 – 1/10000 s

 

The broncolor Scoro has controllable flash duration - meaning that you can adjust the duration.  See the Scoro specification for details.