ACDC-500-TTL Cruiser AC/DC 500 Ws TTL Monolight INSTRUCTIONS
Introduction Thank you for choosing Impact. The Cruiser TTL-500 is a professional 500 Ws monolight that runs on AC power or an included rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides over 350 full-power flashes. It features a 9-stop brightness range that’s adjustable in 1/10-stop increments. The Cruiser is perfect for studio use, and it’s also ideal for location work where a powerful flash is needed for stunning outdoor fashion and portrait results.
Features • • • • • • • • 500 Ws monolight Supports TTL and HSS when used with the Cruiser Wireless Controller Wireless TTL, optical slave, and direct sync options Flash duration from 1/1000 to 1/9000 sec. 10 Ws LED modeling lamp Built-in 2.4 GHz receiver User-replaceable flashtube Runs on battery or AC power Box Contents • • • • • • • • Cruiser TTL Monolight Battery Battery charger Stand mount PC cord 7 in.
Overview 4 1. Optical slave eye Optical sensor 2. Group button Selects group A, B, or C. 3. Channel button Selects channel 1 to 8. 4. Model button Turns the modeling light on and off, and selects between 100% and 50% brightness. 5. Power dial Adjusts the flash output from 2 to 10, in 1/10-stop increments. 6. Test button Fires a test flash. 7. Optical slave button Turns optical sensor mode on and off. 8. Sound button Turns alert sound on and off.
Overview (continued) 1 2 8 3 7 4 6 5 5
Overview (continued) Top/side view: 1. S-type reflector 2. Glass dome 3. Flashtube 4. Modeling LED 5. Accessory release 6. Battery compartment / Battery contacts 7. Umbrella locking screw 8. Tilt lock 9. Locking screw 10. 5/8-inch receiver 11. Umbrella mount 12. Air vent 13. AC power port 14. Three-way power switch a. Up: AC power b. Down: Battery power c. Center: Off 15. Micro-USB port 16. 3.5 mm sync port 6 Battery: 17. Charge indicator lights/ button 18. Battery release button 19. Battery contacts 20.
Overview (continued) 18 19 17 20 1 2 3 4 5 7 6 16 12 8 13 15 14 11 9 27 10 CH CELL MODEL ON 21 22 % BEEP ON 26 25 TTL 23 24 7
Cruiser Wireless Controller 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 8 Group buttons Press to select group A, B, or C. The selected group is outlined. Press and hold to enable or disable a group. Mode button Selects Manual or TTL mode. Sync button (Canon and Sony) Selects first-curtain sync, second-curtain sync. Go to our website impactstudiolighting.com for information on the Cruiser’s compatibility with Sony cameras. Plus (+) and minus (-) buttons Raise and lower the output power of the selected channel.
Cruiser Wireless Controller (continued) 10 1 9 8 2 3 4 7 6 5 13 11 12 9
Cruiser Wireless Controller (continued) LCD screen: 1. Modeling light 2. Output power 3. Manual/TTL 4. FCS, SCS, HSS indicators A 1 5. 6. 7. B Channel Sound Group C 2 7 6 TTL MODE 3 SYNC 4 CHANNEL 5 Firmware Notice The latest firmware updates are available on impactstudiolighting.com. If there are compatibility or performance issues with your camera, make sure your unit has the latest firmware version.
Precautions ⚠⚡ Before using the Cruiser TTL, please read the following safety notices carefully and thoroughly. This will ensure safe use and help prevent damage to your flash and injury to yourself or others. Prolonged, fast shooting at fast recycling rates might cause overheating. The Cruiser TTL’s protection circuit will shut the unit off for approximately 5 to 10 minutes if overheating occurs. cause damage to the retina and may even lead to blindness.
Precautions ⚠⚡ (continued) 12 • Use only the correct, recommended battery. • Always wear cotton gloves when handling the flashtube. • If you detect excessive heat, smoke, or a burning smell coming from the flash, immediately stop operation, and remove the battery to prevent the product from igniting or melting. Take the product to an authorized service center for repair. • Keep this product away from children. • Make sure that this product is intact and that there are no missing parts before use.
Charging and Installing the Battery A rechargeable battery and multivoltage charger are included with the Cruiser TTL 500. Note: Impact recommends fully charging the battery before its initial use and after an extended period of inactivity (more than two months). To charge and then install the battery, follow these steps: 1. Plug the AC cord into a wall outlet. The charger’s indicator light will glow green when the charger is receiving power. 2. Connect the DC cord to the battery.
Wall Outlet Operation The Cruiser is equipped with a universal power input so it can be used in the US and abroad with the proper plug adapter. For AC operation: 14 1. Remove the protective cap from the AC power port. 2. Insert the 4-pin plug into the power port, and then turn the locking collar clockwise to secure the plug in place. 3. Attach the AC cord to the power adapter, and plug it into a wall outlet.
Preparing for Use Mounting on a Light Stand The Cruiser TTL-500 features a 5/8-inch baby receiver. If your light stand or mounting plate does not have a 5/8-inch post, make sure to use the appropriate adapter to mount the Cruiser. 1. Set the 5/8-inch baby receiver onto your light stand's mounting pin, and tighten the locking screw until secure. 2. Adjust the angle, and then secure it with the tilt lock.
Preparing for Use (continued) Mounting an Umbrella 1. Loosen the umbrella locking screw, and insert the umbrella shaft through the two mounting loops. 2. Tighten the locking screw to secure the umbrella. Connecting Your Camera to the Cruiser The Cruiser has a 3.5 mm sync input for a wired connection to your camera or a wireless receiver (other than the Cruiser Wireless Controller). Use the following steps to connect your devices: 1. Insert a 3.5 mm sync cable into the Cruiser’s sync port. 2.
Attaching the Cruiser Wireless Controller to Your Camera 1. Loosen the locking wheel by turning it counterclockwise. 2. Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera’s hot shoe. 3. Turn the locking wheel clockwise to tighten until secure. Note: Make sure your camera has the appropriate settings. Consult the camera’s user manual to set features for TTL and HSS modes. Powering On and Firing a Test 1. To power on the Cruiser, move the power switch to either AC or battery power mode.
Configuring the Settings Selecting Channels and Groups Via the Cruiser The Cruiser and the wireless remote must be set to thesame channel. 1. Press the CH button repeatedly to cycle through channels 1 to 8. Selecting “–” (dash) disables wireless communication. 2. Press the Group button repeatedly to select group A, B, or C. Selecting Channels and Groups via the Remote To select a group, press one of the group buttons (A, B, or C). A border will surround the selected group.
Configuring the Settings (continued) 3. Press the Model button again for a modeling light power of 100%. 4. Pressing the Model button a third time to turn the modeling light off. Note: The wireless remote can set modeling light power on each group individually. Changing the modeling light options on one group will not affect the others. Alert Sound Press the Sound button to toggle the sound function on or off.
Using the Cruiser in Manual Mode The Cruiser’s flash power output level can be set manually in 1/10-stop increments over a 9-stop range. 10 is the full-power flash, and each stop halves the light output. To use the Cruiser in manual mode, follow these steps: 1. Connect the sync cord to the Cruiser and to your camera. Follow your camera’s instructions for using the correct camera settings for manual exposure photography.
Using the Cruiser in TTL Mode TTL mode can be used only when the Cruiser is paired with the Cruiser Wireless Controller. When the wireless controller is mounted on a compatible camera, the camera’s TTL metering system automatically sends the Cruiser the appropriate flash output level. To set the monologht to TTL mode, follow these steps: 1. Set the channel and groups on the Cruiser (see page 18). 1.
Using High-Speed Sync (HSS) High-speed sync lets you use shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000 second. It gives you the option to shoot under bright sunlight while using a wider aperture to darken the background, or to freeze motion. Activating HSS Canon: Press the Sync button repeatedly to scroll to HSS. When selected, the HSS icon will appear on the Cruiser’s LCD screen. To deactivate HSS, press the Mode button to enter first-curtain or secondcurtain sync. Nikon and Sony: HSS mode is set on the camera.
Second-Curtain Sync (SCS) For Canon cameras: 1. Activate SCS mode on your camera. 2. On the wireless remote, press the Sync button repeatedly until SCS ( ) is selected. To deactivate SCS, press the Sync button to select first-curtain sync ( ) or HSS. For Nikon and Sony cameras: SCS is enabled on the camera. Refer to your camera’s manual to activate SCS. When it’s enabled, the wireless remote will automatically switch to SCS mode.
Replacing the Flashtube 1. Turn off the power, remove the battery, and wait at least 10 minutes for the flashtube to cool. 2. Remove the glass cover by gently pulling it off of the flash head. 3. Using white cotton gloves or a clean cloth, remove the retention wire wrapped around the top of the flashtube. 4. With needle-nose pliers, unhook the retention spring loop. 5. Once the spring is unhooked, grip the base of the flashtube on each side, and carefully pull it from the retaining sockets. 6.
FCC Declaration of Conformity This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Specifications Monolight Maximum power 500 Ws ISO 100, direct flash @ 10 ft. (3 m) f 16.8 TTL compatibility Canon, Nikon, Sony HSS compatibility Canon, Nikon, (1/8000 on available models) Trigger modes Wireless controller, manual, photocell, and sync cord Recycle speed 3.0 sec. Wireless remote receiver Built-in Wireless range 328 ft. (100 m) Channels 1 to 8, off Groups 3 (A, B, C) Sync-flash voltage 4.3 V Sync mode Wireless trigger, Optical, Direct sync 1/8 in. (3.
Specifications (continued) Battery & Charger Battery type Li-ion Voltage 14.4 V No. of flashes @ full power 350 Charging time (approximate) 3 hr. Charger Input: AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz Output: DC 16.8 V, 2.5 A Overheat limit Dimensions Battery: 3.7 × 4.2 × 2.6 in. (9.4 × 10.7 × 6.6 cm) Weight Battery: 1.5 lb. (680.4 g) Charger: 0.6 lb. (272 g) Wireless Remote Frequency 2.4 GHz Channels 8 (1 to 8) Groups 3 (A, B, C) Connections 3.5 mm sync port, Micro-B USB Operating range 328 ft.
One-Year Limited Warranty This Impact product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal consumer use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs later.
