EXPLORER 1500 BWL0355/1 +44 (0)1255 422807 +44 (0)1255 436342 355 Old Road Clacton on Sea Essex CO15 3RH UK Tel: Fax: www.bowens.co.
19 Specifications Maintenance free, non-spillable, sealed Lead Acid Battery Table Of Contents Battery Type Managed Charge Only - 3A Bulk Charge, 0.1A Float 6 Maximum Charge Currents Only use Bowens recommended charger Number of Cells Charger With supplied 2A Charger (BW-1227) - approx 5-6 hours With Optional Car Charger (BW-1245) - approx 5-6 hours Page Typical Battery Charge Times (L) 172mm x (W) 108mm x (H) 120mm Description Battery Size 4.
18 Connecting Esprit Gemini Monobloc Heads Two auxiliary outlets, EXTENTION SOCKET 1 and EXTENTION SOCKET 2, are provide d , p u r e l y to provide a charging source for up to two Gemini Monoblocs. One or two Gemini’s can be used on their own or in conjunction with the normal flash heads. The major effect of using these outlets, in addition to the normal flash heads, is to slow down the overall recycle time of the pack.
Safety Notes • • • • • • • • • Open the battery cassette or try to modify it for any reason. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Move the unit from extremes of temperatures and humidity. When moving the unit from such conditions allow at least one hour for the unit to stabilise at room temperature before using. Leave the unit and/or flash heads in close proximity to any flammable materials while the unit is in use. Change the fuses for a different type or rating.
Auxiliary Control Menu Turn the Rotary Dial to highlight the required function. Press SELECT to allow the status or value of the chosen function to be changed. Rotate the KNOB to cycle through the possible settings or values and select the required one. ‘Auto Off’ This allows the pack auto-off period to be set in the range of 1 - 60 minutes or NEVER. The pack automatically switches itself off if the cobntrols or Sync. have not been in use during the selected period.
• • • • • • • • Select any other option desired. Select audible READY signal. Select the required charge rate/recycle time (charge rate can be found in the ‘Pack Setup’ Menu. Select from either MIN, SLOW, AUTO, or FAST. Select the required heads and energy level/flash power. Switch the pack on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for two seconds. Connect the camera Sync. cord to one of the Sync. sockets or use the internal photocell or radio for remote triggering.
• Set ‘SKIP’ to ‘ON’. Each pack must be connected to the SAME trigger source and must have ‘Skip’ turned on. This is solely for use with two or more packs and is designed to allow the photographer to trigger up to eight packs in sequence and therefore enable effectively faster flash rates or to even produce special effects. • • • Rotate the toggle botton on the base of the cassette to realise the two handles and open them fully out.
• • • • • • • • • • • Please read the battery cassette safety and maintenance instructions at the end of these instructions. A full charge from a discharged state may take anything up to 6 hours depending on the charger used. If possible leave the battery cassette to charge for a further 30-60 minutes to ensure that it is fully charged. The Battery Cassette cannot be overcharged if the charger is left connected.
12 • • Turn the Rotary Dial to highlight the required function. This allows less frequently used settings to be changed. From the main menu press the menu button twice. Second Menu • Basic Controls In addition to the ON/OFF and TEST buttons the pack functions are simply controlled by means of three multi-function buttons and a rotary control. In all cases the current status is shown on the LCD display. The MENU button selects the next lowest level of the menu.
Main Menu This is the MAIN or top-level menu shown by default after switched on: The top third of the screen shows the flash power setting for both channels in digital f-stops and Joules (Watt - second) together with the functional flash duration in seconds. To set the flash power press the A or B button to select the required channel. The associated LED will light to show it is selected. Set the power for that channel by rotating the knob.