Archive 2014 · Alienbees Inconsistent

smcphotos
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Alienbees Inconsistent

I've had trouble lately with my alibeens, one 400 and one 800, being inconsistent in firing. I've tried using both pocketwizards and cybersync to see if that was the issue. Both seem inconsistent.

Sometime, both will fire just fine, other times, maybe one will go. Any thoughts?

Nov 08, 2014 at 08:42 AM

Dave McGaughey
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Alienbees Inconsistent

Bad cable?

Nov 08, 2014 at 09:42 AM

BigIronCruiser
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Alienbees Inconsistent

The probability of having this issue with both strobes at the same time is extremely low, so I would be hesitant to point fingers at the Bee's. Since the misfires occur with the Cybersync and PW's, I'm also leaning toward a bad cable, or not having it properly seated.

Nov 08, 2014 at 01:23 PM

Deezie
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Alienbees Inconsistent

Might want to call up the folks at Alien Bees. They're easy to get on the phone and offer up some thoughts. They're also relatively inexpensive to fix, so sending them in is another option.

Nov 08, 2014 at 01:56 PM

Gregg Heckler
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Alienbees Inconsistent

Cable or bad batteries.

Nov 08, 2014 at 10:02 PM

smcphotos
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Alienbees Inconsistent

When everyone says bad cable or batteries, what are you referring to? I've tried different setups with Pocketwizard or Cybersync, with their own sets of new batteries and their own respective pc cable to plug into the alienbee. I've also changed out the AC cable.

Probably time to call alienbee.

Nov 09, 2014 at 10:26 AM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Alienbees Inconsistent

Are you using recievers on both, or relying on the optical trigger on one?

Nov 09, 2014 at 01:32 PM

Littleguy
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Alienbees Inconsistent

Have you tried firing them without the wireless triggers?

Use the simplest trigger method first - PC sync cables - this takes all the wireless issues out of the flow. If they still work inconsistently, its the flash units not the triggers.

Nov 10, 2014 at 11:08 AM

chuckg
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Alienbees Inconsistent

This is a long shot but I had problem with a White Lightning not firing every time. I was using a pig tail to go from the power connector on the strobe to connect to an extension cord. Turns out that the wires were reversed in the pig tail and the electronics in the strobe did not like that. I reversed the wires and all was fine.

Nov 10, 2014 at 03:58 PM


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