PhotoMaster Operator’s Manual For Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400 Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM800 Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400R Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM800R & Remote Studio Control Accessories
OPERATOR MANUAL FOR POWER SUPPLIES Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400, PM400R, PM800 & PM800R Voltage Smart Advantage Light Heads: PA8, PA8C, PA8D & PA8F Operator Manual for Infrared Accessories Thank you for selecting the Photogenic Professional Power Supply PhotoMaster brand Voltage Smart series. The Voltage Smart PhotoMaster series incorporates the newest electronic technology providing improved lighting control, power setting repeatability and expanded functions.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Despite the measures that have been taken to make electronic flash equipment safe, it must be recognized that high voltages and high temperatures do exist within the power supply & light heads. Certain precautions must be observed in handling the unit. Contact with internal high voltage may result in severe injury or death. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
To set up the lighting system, first mount and secure all light heads to suitable stands. The stand adapter allows the light head to be mounted on a stand with a 3/8” to 5/8” post. Be sure to use a stand that is stable and will not tip easily. The light heads are shipped with the modeling lamp and flashtube not installed.
HANDLE FAN INLET HEAD CONNECTORS AC POWER INLET SYNC JACK BREAKER OUTLET VENTS REAR VIEW OF PHOTOMASTER HEAD CONNECTOR TOP VIEW The light head connectors are key-shaped, snap-in type and will only attach correctly. The plugs must be inserted until the locking snap is heard. Press the flat metal inset to release. The mating pins are automatically lubricated during each insertion and withdrawal to greatly extend the life of these connectors.
DIGITAL CONTROL PANEL AND BASIC OPERATION Power Input: The power required to operate the Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400, PM400R, PM800, or PM800R is 90 to 250 volts AC, 50 or 60 Hz, 5 Amp. The supplied power cord has a 125V, 15 Amp rating, 15 ft long, and is detachable. For European operation, Photogenic can supply a 230V power cord (PLXLC) with a German plug, rated 90 to 250 volts AC, 50/60 Hz, 10 Amp, 20 ft.
Functional Operation Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400, PM400R, PM800 & PM800R Power Switch: The power switch controls the AC power to both the modeling and flash circuits. You have the option to turn-off the modeling circuit independently by pressing the Full On/Off button. A B F G H C D E I Flash Power: When the power is turned on the red Flash LED (A) is illuminated. You adjust the Flash power settings by pressing the 1/2 or 1/10 f-stops UP/DOWN arrow buttons. The watt second settings will be displayed.
Modeling Lights: The modeling lights have three symmetrical modes of operation (NOT independent): 1. MANUAL adjusts the modeling lamp intensity using the 1/2 or 1/10 f-stops UP/DOWN arrow buttons. Press the manual ADJUST button (F) to turn the MODEL yellow LED (B) on. Pressing the manual ADJUST button (F) a second time will change the mode to flash adjustment and is indicated by the illuminated red Flash LED (A). 2.
“Er-3” message means over heating has occurred. This could be internal or by exceeding the recommended flash frequency. (See flash rate chart) Once “Er-3” is displayed a “COOL” mode is activated to cool off internal components, preventing damage. This usually is caused by too many quick-discharges, resulting in the overheating of the unit’s circuits. (See flash rate chart) The unit remains in this COOL mode for approximately 4 minutes.
Flash Power Bracketing: Bracketing refers to taking up to three (3) exposures in a sequence with different flash intensities, either additional watt seconds or fewer watt seconds, from the displayed or selected “primary” base intensity. The PhotoMaster enables you to set the base flash power and then one high and one low bracketing value. Once the setting(s) have been pre-set, a sequence of power levels will automatically occur as you take the exposures.
OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400R & PM400R Flashing Rate: The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts. The maximum recommended rate of flashing would depend upon the power level being used and the amount of operation time.
SPECIFICATIONS Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400 & PM400R General: Flash Power….........................................……….. 12.5 to 400 watt-seconds. Maximum (6 f-stops) Flash Duration….........................................…….. 1/1625 second at Full 1/800 second at 1/32 Reciprocity………………………………………. Excellent, no filters required Recycling time…..........................................……. 0.5 to 1.5 seconds @ full Power Control…............................................…… Full to 1/32 range.
OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM800, PM800R Flashing Rate: The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts. The maximum recommended rate of flashing would depend upon the power level being used and the amount of operation time.
SPECIFICATIONS Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM800, PM800R General: Flash Power….........................................……….. 25 to 800 watt-seconds. Maximum (6 f-stops) Flash Duration….........................................…….. 1/962 second at Full 1/431 second at 1/32 Reciprocity………………………………………. Excellent, no filters required Recycling time…..........................................……. 0.8 to 3 seconds @ full Power Control…............................................…… Full to 1/32 range. (6 f-stops) 0.
ADVANCED POWERLIGHT FEATURES. Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400, PM400R, PM800 & PM800R Automatic Discharge Each time the AC line power is disconnected or switched off, the unit will automatically flash-dump most of the stored power, and then discharge by resistor the remainder of the stored power. This removes all of the flash capacitor charge to prolong the life of the unit and is a much safer condition for storage, for transporting, and replacement of flash tube or modeling lamp.
Advanced Series Accessories. Voltage Smart PhotoMaster PM400R & PM800R PLIRC-1 Infrared remote controller. Similar to TV, VCR, DTV universal remote controllers, the PLIRC-1 can control up to nine (9) PhotoMasters with individual settings. If several PhotoMasters are used with identical settings, the same unit number can be assigned to them. This will expand the total number of lights that can be controlled with the PLIRC-1. All panel button controls are available, plus STANDBY.
General Trouble Shooting COMMON PROBLEMS AND CAUSES Unit does not charge. Probable causes: 1. Circuit breaker tripped. (Depress breaker button, rear of unit.) 2. No line power to unit. (Check line cord and outlet. If unit was being heavily used, wait 5 minutes for internal thermal protector to reset.) Modeling light does not turn on. Probable causes: 1. Lamp turned off. (Press FULL ON/OFF button, check PA8 switch.) 2. Lamp burned out. (Inspect and replace, when cool. See SERVICE section of this manual) 3.
Limited PhotoMaster Warranty Photogenic warranties the “standard line” products are free from defects in material and workmanship of the PhotoMaster PM400, PM400R, PM800, PM800R and PA8 units for a period of three years, from date of manufacture. At our choice, we will repair or replace any of the above that is deemed to be defective. This warranty does not cover damages caused by shipping, product abuse or use other than the intended photographic applications.
PA8 QUICK CHANGE ACCESSORIES REFLECTORS: PL3R ------3” Shallow Background reflector rotates to control light for high key and back lighting. PL3RV-----3” Veil Slotted Background reflector for veil and burst-lighting PL5R-------5” Deep Conical Background reflector. PL7R-------7 ½” Standard high grain reflector. 35-degree coverage. PL14R-----14” Parabolic for portraits, feathering, flood and fill lighting. 45-degree coverage. PL16R-----16” Parabolic for portraits, feathering, flood and fill lighting.
Photogenic Professional Lighting 1268 Humbracht Circle Bartlett, Illinois 60103 www.Photogenicpro.
