[pure-silver] Re: Speedotron 2401A
- From: "BOB KISS" <bobkiss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 09:23:47 -0400
My Speedo 2401A packs have a "bleeder" resistor that is put across the banks
of capacitors when you switch the power off. This is supposed to discharge
the caps over a period of seconds as soon as you switch off. Ergo, IF the
bleeder resistor is working properly you don't have to dump the flash just
before turning off and the caps will discharge even if you don't have any
heads plugged in and dump the power. When I turn my packs off I count
SLOWLY to 10 before plugging in or unplugging heads.
********The operative phrase here is "...if the bleeder resistor is working
properly..."!!! If it is NOT working properly you can have a charge left in
the caps for some period of time (Hours? Days?) and get an arc when
plugging in or unplugging heads. As Speedos are 900 Volt systems, if you
get that across your heart (hand to hand) you will most probably go into
fibrillation and require IMMEDIATE defib or you are history.
CHEERS!
BOB
Please check my website: http://www.bobkiss.com/
"Live as if you are going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you are going to
live forever". Mahatma Gandhi
-----Original Message-----
From: pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Bob Randall
Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 9:15 AM
To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Speedotron 2401A
On 10/1/06 8:08 PM, "Jim Brick" <jim@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> At 04:00 PM 10/1/2006 -0700, you wrote:
>
>> I think the capacitors are formed when you fire them - not just letting
them
>> sit there with the power on.
>
>
>
> Capacitors are formed when voltage is applied and they take on a
> charge. When turned on for the first time after a long idle time
> (weeks/months/years) the power should be left on for several minutes
> before firing for the first time. This will allow the capacitors to
> form completely. They are de-formed when fired, that is, all
> electrons rapidly leave, or leave slowly over time.
>
> Strobes should never be turned off with de-formed capacitors. One
> should ALWAYS charge the capacitors and when they are ready to fire,
> then turn the power off and store the unit. Those folks who fire
> their strobes just before turning off the power are ruining their
> capacitors. The useful life of the unit will be noticeably shortened.
>
> I used to repair strobes as a business.
>
> Jim
>
>
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I have a 2401A pack that I bought used at an auction in 1974. It is my habit
to turn the power off and hit the dump/open flash button every single time I
turn a pack off. I've been doing this since 1971 due to a grounding I
suffered when I didn't do it just before disconnecting a head from a pack. I
can't begin to count the number of times I've done this. I've never had a
pack fail. I would guess that some of my packs have been fired over a
million times and the only thing I've ever had to deal with are burned out
ready lights and the occasional toggle switch. I'm not suggesting you are
wrong so much as I'm wondering when you think my packs are likely to fail.
Bob
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