Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

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Archive 2009 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Paul Buff
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p.3 #1 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Can't help too much more here because RP has never communicated with us and I don't know what voltages they are sending to the telephone jack. The power setting or AB type has no effect on the voltage drop - high power just makes the drop last longer. Might try it with one b800 and see what happens.

Oct 12, 2009 at 06:16 AM

amplexis
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p.3 #2 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Paul, is there any less problem if one uses the LG4X controller on the Zeus while using the Vagabond II for power?

Oct 12, 2009 at 10:25 AM

HappyCamp
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p.3 #3 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

amplexis wrote:
Paul, is there any less problem if one uses the LG4X controller on the Zeus while using the Vagabond II for power?

+1, since I own one

Oct 12, 2009 at 12:56 PM

kenyee
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p.3 #4 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Paul Buff wrote:
Can't help too much more here because RP has never communicated with us and I don't know what voltages they are sending to the telephone jack. The power setting or AB type has no effect on the voltage drop - high power just makes the drop last longer. Might try it with one b800 and see what happens.

No problem Paul. I'm just trying to help quantify/verify/isolate Jimmy's issue. The best I can do is a few data points (hopefully the other two posters who are running the RP w/ Vagabond will chime in w/ their test setups), but at least we can get an idea of what works (unfortunately, Jimmy sent his RPs back already or he could swap things out and isolate the issue better). It's a big YMMV, so users just have to understand that; it doesn't look as bad as it sounded though. Looks like it'll work in most situations...

Oct 12, 2009 at 02:10 PM

Tony Harrell
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p.3 #5 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

My normal set-up is a WL3200 with a Radio Popper Jrx to control the power and trigger. I still keep a PW plugged in too - just so I can trigger the light to test ratios with my Sekonic if needed. I have two Vagabond IIs.

I've also tried it using a WL3200, and an AB1600 for rim for some cycle shots. Worked fine - but, I had a few misfires - especially at the start of the session. One Vagabond per light. Never tried powering both lights through one Vagabond with a Popper controlling power - I'll give it a try...

Oct 12, 2009 at 03:00 PM

Paul Buff
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p.3 #6 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

amplexis wrote:
Paul, is there any less problem if one uses the LG4X controller on the Zeus while using the Vagabond II for power?

I can't answer this as well as I would like because I work from home. I do however monitor all communications in and out of the company and can say I have rarely seen this issue in emails to tech help.

The best information on this would come from a phone call to tech help and ask for Joe. He deals with all of these sorts of issues, by phone and email, and can give a much better answer as to the frequency and severity of this issue.

Certainly, component tolerances in the lights, the remotes and the Vagabonds can have some effect. I would ask specifically about the Zeus and remotes with Vagabond since Zeus draws more current than the other lights.

Oct 12, 2009 at 04:32 PM

derek walter
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p.3 #7 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Did a little test yesterday as I was taking some pics of stuff I'm putting up for sale.
The poppers did not work at all with an ABR800 and a B800 on a Vagabond II. I have another B800 and a WL Ultra 1800 as well, So I'm going to try it with a couple different combinations. They work marvelously with AC power.
I was planning on switching to the Commander once it's fully available, but is it safe to say that if I'm having issues with the RP's, that I'll have the same issues with the Commander?

Oct 13, 2009 at 12:53 PM

Paul Buff
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p.3 #8 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

We will investigate what problems exist with Cyber Commander and with LG4X and Vagabond II and if there are any possible solutions. If RP wants us to do this with their product they should provide us samples.

Oct 13, 2009 at 03:37 PM

kenyee
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p.3 #9 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

derek walter wrote:
I was planning on switching to the Commander once it's fully available, but is it safe to say that if I'm having issues with the RP's, that I'll have the same issues with the Commander?

Given that we haven't full characterized when it doesn't work and whether it can be worked around by swapping parts stuff around (RP, AB, Vagabond), or whether it's some manufacturing tolerance issue, my guess would be no. There's just not enough info at this point. Like I mentioned...big YMMV...

p.s., what did you mean by "AT ALL"? Flickering like Jimmy? No flashing at all when you press the test button on the receiver?

Edited on Oct 13, 2009 at 04:45 PM · View previous versions

Oct 13, 2009 at 03:41 PM

amplexis
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p.3 #10 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Paul Buff wrote:
We will investigate what problems exist with Cyber Commander and with LG4X and Vagabond II and if there are any possible solutions. If RP wants us to do this with their product they should provide us samples.
i am grateful that this issue is getting attention and even if it means i end up using a hybrid communication system that mixes CC, LG4X and PW. it will let me do things within my humble budget that greatly expand my imagination.
Thank You Paul for your imagination and commitment.

Oct 13, 2009 at 04:14 PM

derek walter
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p.3 #11 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

kenyee wrote:
.

p.s., what did you mean by "AT ALL"? Flickering like Jimmy? No flashing at all when you press the test button on the receiver?

Yes and yes

Oct 13, 2009 at 06:26 PM

Paul Buff
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p.3 #12 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

We are investigating all of this right now. What I'm preliminarily hearing from our engineering staff is that the entire issue may be related to the particular vintage of the Vagabond being used. This is tricky technology and we have been through several iterations of even Vagabond II. So there may be solutions in sight. I'll keep posting as we find out more.

Also requesting RP test samples.

Oct 13, 2009 at 07:22 PM

kenyee
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p.3 #13 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

I was also starting to suspect the inverter since Derek connected different strobes and the RP/AB had the same issue (flickered and couldn't be fired). Not being able to be fired means he didn't hit the power droop during recharge...
Derek: if you know any local friends w/ a vagabond, see if you can do swap it..

Oct 13, 2009 at 08:00 PM

derek walter
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p.3 #14 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Nope, I don't know anyone locally.
I'll try a few things when I get a moment.
FWIW Paul, this is a brand new Vagabond, this was literally the first time it was used.
I also had both flashes plugged in together with a surge suppressor/power bar. I'll try with flashes plugged directly to the unit, one at a time, then in combinations.

Oct 13, 2009 at 11:09 PM

Paul Buff
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p.3 #15 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

derek walter wrote:
Nope, I don't know anyone locally.
I'll try a few things when I get a moment.
FWIW Paul, this is a brand new Vagabond, this was literally the first time it was used.
I also had both flashes plugged in together with a surge suppressor/power bar. I'll try with flashes plugged directly to the unit, one at a time, then in combinations.

I strongly suggest you cal tech help - Joe - he deals with issues like this daily and may well be able to guide you to some solutions.

Here is a swatch of internal communications from today

Hey guys,
I think the problem with the LG4X and V II was noise on the ground caused
by the GFIC design on the old New Power inverters. Since we switched over to
Handle Tech the LG4X will work with all Paul Buff Lights (the ones with RJ11
jacks). I am currently testing the CSR+ and CSRB+ and Commander with Zeus,
X, AB. I'll let you all know what I find.

Best, Joe

Oct 13, 2009 at 11:23 PM

derek walter
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p.3 #16 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

As an update, I just tried all my lights again (2 AB800, 1 ABR800, 1 WL Ultra 1800), in various combinations with 3 JrX studio's receiver's and they worked perfectly with the transmitter in my hand, and on my 5D....Go figure.

I'll try it out again sooner, and see if I can figure out what might have been the cause.

Any other good or bad reports out there?

Oct 19, 2009 at 02:20 AM

MNPNW
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p.3 #17 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Used Vagabond II (inverter serial # PS9G008831, Tested date 3/25/09) with B1600 (Serial # 1622339) and RP Jr Studio (just received last week - brand new) yesterday and worked great.

Only one light, used at about 1/2 to full power easily controlled by RP. Vagabond II set to Fast.

Oct 19, 2009 at 04:21 PM

kenyee
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p.3 #18 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

Using a Kemple DIY Vagabond setup (300W AIMS inverter + 10AH NiMH battery), works fine w/ one AB1600 (JrX used to trigger it from the remote control port). Put two AB1600s on it and it doesn't get enough juice out of the battery, so one of the AB1600s "crashes" w/ the JrX connected to the remote control port but the other manages to charge up. One of the AB1600's is more susceptible to crashes than the other.

"crashes" = dump light is lit red, and power switch backlight flickers, or power switch flickers and no dump light is lit (ready never gets lit). When you press the test fire button on the JrX, it still fires with a slight flicker pulse out of the flash tube (maybe five Ws from the look of it). It's probably severely voltage starved.

Without the JrX connected, both AB1600's will light up the ready light (even full power), but they both flicker the dump/ready light during chargeup. The setup is far too weak to power them...it lasted maybe 20 flashes but I think the "crash" state sucks a continous stream of power, so I only played with it for 15min before it drained the battery and shut down. I'll try to test w/ only one AB1600 tomorrow to see how many shots this gets.

Now I know why Tim Kemple dedicated one inverter setup per B800...a Vagabond seems far more useful

Quick update on this: the AIMS inverter is toast...only beep and lights up the undervoltage light when connected to a good 12V source now so I have to see if it's covered under warranty. Methinks going the DIY route was a mistake...

.

Edited on Oct 23, 2009 at 07:08 PM · View previous versions

Oct 21, 2009 at 02:09 AM

kenyee
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p.3 #19 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

FYI, the JrX works w/ the Vagabond I (not II) and B800s:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motoed/4031088414/

First example I've seen at least...

Oct 22, 2009 at 03:13 AM

derek walter
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p.3 #20 · Radiopopper JrX and Vagabond II problems

I meant to mention that as soon as I plugged the RP into the Ultra 1800, the modeling light would turn on and stay on now matter how it was set. I had to unscrew the bulb a bit

Oct 23, 2009 at 06:01 PM

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