Need some flash help.

[MyGlockGoPopPopPop]

My girlfriend needs a battery pack so she can operate her flash outdoors, is there anything that anyone can recommend that can be bought at a local hardware store or walmart or something?

This is the flash she has:
http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html

She tried buying a battery pack but I guess it doesn't seem to be sufficient, the one that she wants is backordered.

She just got this one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Duracell-Powerpack-600HD/14667076

This one she knows will work, but like I said it's backordered:
http://www.alienbees.com/VIIsystem.html


Any tips would be appreciated, she needs it by Sunday for a shoot.

[ADLAVINSKY]

Do not use any cheapo portable power packs. They are not sine wave, they emit dirty power and can kill the flash when it recycles. Most power supplys like battery backups or emergency supplies are "modified" sine, not pure sine or sine wave. You need clean power.

I use the same strobe and I built a battery pack for it.

What you need:

180 watt or more sine wave inverter
12-20 mAh SLA battery (sealed lead acid)
Battery charger

25amp in line fuse
cables.

connect battery and inverter with crimp connections and the in line fuse through the positive end and boom, you have a travelling power supply which is good up to 200 -300 full power pops. There are Lithium batteries you can get as well and those are very nice, lighter, but significantly more expensive. I've got 2 batteries and one inverter, so I attach the two in a camera bag with some 2" velcro.

There are tutorials about this online.

[nb]

Do not use any cheapo portable power packs. They are not sine wave, they emit dirty power and can kill the flash when it recycles.

THIS.

Id just wait it out on the vagabond to be honest, e-mail the company their customer service is great and they should let you know how long you should expect to wait.

[ADLAVINSKY]

THIS.

Id just wait it out on the vagabond to be honest, e-mail the company their customer service is great and they should let you know how long you should expect to wait.

The vagabond is the preferred way to go because you don't have to unhook cables to recharge the batteries, just plug it in. But if you want to have the ability to shoot on the go and save some money, the DIY powerpack I described is a very easy and cheap project. I've been meaning to upgrade my pack to use Anderson connectors which are the easy way to plug the battery back and forth between the charger and the inverter.


The Vagabond is literally the exact same thing. Sine wave inverter + SLA battery. The only difference is the fancy case and ability to just plug it in to a wall to charge it, which might be a big deal for you.

[Ozzie Sandoval]

I have 2 alienbee's 800's. I also have the vagabond. It is worth every penny. I know it's like $300 but worth it. I've had it for about 2 years now. Alienbees customer services is top notch as well.

[MyGlockGoPopPopPop]

Thanks guys, fortunately her shoot got rained out today which will hopefully buy her enough time to get the vagabond. She has to return that fucking Duracell pack but whatever. I don't know if walmart was on crack but it only cost $15 to overnight a 40lb box from Illinois, must have been an oversight on their website lol.