Broncolor impact help please

[Allen Fraser]

Hi folks,

I have a couple of Broncolor Impact 21 strobes and have had a couple of occasions where they have given me trouble.

I have the slave sensors turned on and when I do that the lights start firing like crazy. This has only happened a couple of times - once in an industrial setting once in a pharmacy. I'm busy trying to shoot so am not sure if it is only one light with the problem but I believe it has happened with both. The slaves are IR/visible light and there are no flashing lights of any kind around to cause the problem.

Unfortunately, when I get them home they work perfectly.

It's almost like there is some kind of electrical/electromagnetic thing happening to set them off but the slaves aren't radio based so I don't even know if this is possible. I just can't explain why they would work fine in one spot but give me problem in another.

Anybody had experience with these units that could enlighten me???

Appreciate your feedback.

Al

[Alastair]

Hi Allen,
I've had a similar problem with Speedo flashes when the air is dry and the power cord and the flash head cable get crossed. *Sometimes it will also happen when the cables come in contact with a metal stand or some other metal object. A little static electricity arcs across (I think that's what happens) and the flash tubes go off all over the place. *It's pretty impressive, but a major pain. *The only solution I have come up with is that we just make absolutely sure that all the cables and the power cords are completely separate and apart and that all the stands and any other equipment is properly grounded. *I just take off my shoes and touch all the equipment. *It's probably not the most scientific grounding proceedure, but it seems to work. *
That's my $.02 *Hope it helps.

Alastair.
www.alastairbird.com

[Robin]

I also have a pair of Broncolour Impact 21's and I have the exact same problem! If you find the solution please let me know.

[Michel]

Hy, using Broncolor IR/Slaves on location. I hade the same situation once, it was cause by neons ballast flickering or high discharge Metal lights, you only need one that flickers and it's very hard to notice because it's flickering at very high speed

All broncolor units have a IR button or Slave button, try one mode or the other or a shroud, if probleme persit turn off all ambiant lights if possible

Just like outside in sun light make a shroud over the cell with a opening amaing at the primary head that is fired by a sync. cord, since the sun radiat Infared light.

To make a shroud use a silver reflector card and make a box, Silver on the inside 2" x 1" x 1" opend on one side, use Fun Tak to hold on the unit

[Allen Fraser]

FYI,

I also asked this on another forum and most of the responses agreed with Michel's opinion about the flourescents/metal lights at the location.

I'll be trying to shield the sensors next time and perhaps will learn something at that point.

Thanks for the feedback.

Al

[Robin]

I have never had the problem with metal halydes but flourescent can set them off pretty good.