2010 BLACK BOX
INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions as simple to understand, as
the product is to use.
This is for the BLACK BOX and is UPDATED:
08-10-10
Note: The NEW BLACK BOOK page with Black Box Tips and Tricks will
be on the web shortly with more information about the box and the myriad of
things you can do with it. Look for it on my website.
Please read and follow these instructions, as they are different from any previous power supply for strobes you have ever used. Failure to follow these instructions is fairly common since no one likes to read instructions. This will result in possible harm to your unit.
USE IT OVERSEAS:
This unit comes with the EURO International Charger with
110VAC-60Hz to 240 VAC - 50Hz input voltages and offers worldwide capability. Faster Charging and the Indicator is located on
the charger. Our charger is 1000 milliamps, optional with every other
manufacturer. It charges the larger battery in the Black Box in
a shorter time and it is an International Charger suitable for world
travel. All you need to purchase is a simple plug adapter; you do not need an
inverter for the country you are visiting. Most adapter kits are available on
line in Radio Shack, and similar travel stores.
CHARGING • PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! •
* When you first plug it in look for
the green light. This tells you the wall socket you selected is correctly
wired.
* This is a high level
self-analyzing charger. It is not
the cheap version. It has brains.
* Either of the ports (called
DINS) is OK for charging and the cable connects and fits DIN ports only one
way.
* Look for the bump or key to
align the cable and port properly.
* Turn switch to on! This is a three
stage Multi-mode automatic charger.
If the battery is lower than 85 % the green light will go
out and the red light will come on. The light will stay red for a few hours on high-speed
charge to restore it to 85% capacity or better. At that time the battery charger will flip back to green for
the slower completion of the charge.
REVIEW••
1- PLUG CHARGER IN WALL Green Light Comes On
2- CONNECT CHARGER TO BATTERY Either port is OK. And use alignment tab.
3- TURN THE BATTERY SWITCH TO “ON”. If Battery is down, the light will turn RED. Chargers are sensitive to current and sometimes if it does not go green after four or more hours flip the switch on the Battery OFF- and then ON again. This is the manual mode. It should go green. Now it is in slow trickle mode to fill the battery to maximum charge. Do not turn it off. Leave it on the charger.
READ ME ••
The part no one seems to read! - When not being used, the battery stays on the
CHARGER with the switch on the battery ON! I repeat when not
making flashes this battery is like an alcoholic, it thrives and lasts longer
when connected to the wall with the ON-OFF switch in the ON position.
Since the charger
and battery are totally different from all these other brands on the market so
are the rules. (0% of the units we ever got back were perfect because people
did not read the last paragraph and we had to restore the battery. It won’t
overcharge, in fact in the third step it will stay in maintenance mode with a
slight positive charge from the charger and that prevents sulphation.
The charger is
the brain so you do not have to think. As soon as you shoot a job, put it back
on the charger. In some cases when the
battery is brand new, it sometimes has to adjust to the charger and may
sit for as long as a day before the initial charge takes hold. This is normal,
remember switch on.
We made our pack
bigger and smarter and tuned for the PRO because a PRO designed it. There is nothing left to do except wait for
your next job. Reminders leave it plugged in and ON! This has now be repeated four or five times. If you still don't turn the switch on i will have to replace the brain in your head instead of the one in the charger
ERATA,
DISCLAIMER, INFORMATION ETC.
• If you are taking a break during a
Wedding or Shoot, it is prudent to save energy and shut the unit down. Not that
it matters, but it saves your strobe, the battery could care less. A good rule
is shut the flash first then flip the off switch on the pack.
• DO NOT try to impress your friends with the speed and power of the battery strobe combination. You’ll blow the strobe. The number one killer of strobes is heat and fast cycling. The guys who make go-fast accelerated packs really don’t care if you max the strobe...you wanted speed didn’t you?
• Even our battery has more sustainable or reserve energy (NOT HIGHER VOLTAGE) and we take pride in not blowing your gear up. Again, use common sense and The Black Box battery has more power than the flash needs and all flashes made have limits on heat buildup. Showing off can ruin your unit.
• We guarantee the battery, but note, all rechargeable cells have a limited lifetime, usually about 700-900 recharges. This amount can vary depending upon how the battery was used. Our instructions are different from other manufacturers because our charger is smarter. If you follow our instructions we won't see you for about five maybe six years. Standard warrantee is one year on parts and labor. We are very liberal but dangerous or deliberate ruinations tend to make me question my liberal policies.
• Straps: Everyone's different! The box comes with D-rings for a strap and a belt clip. Users tell us the neoprene straps made by PRO or OPTEC work best. The pack also comes with THE CLIP, suitable for belt use or for mounting on a light stand with two wire ties. Remember the clip only comes off when horizontal. We also have the Gizmoclip for a better way to use on a lightstand and they are inexpensive.
• Be a good environmentalist: The
sealed lead acid batteries must be disposed or recycled properly and please do
not throw them in the trash. Send the pack to us, we'll overhaul it completely
(even replace parts and upgrades and re- battery it for $35.00 – 45.00 plus
freight charges and be more than happy to dispose of the old one. Other brands
charge from 100 to 200 dollars for this.
• The extra port installed in the
top of the unit next to the DIN is the addition DIN for dual flash rigs. It
works. We got rid of the RCA jacks as they stink and vulnerable to many
accidents, including but not limited to twist, rust and premature ejection. The DIN is simply an added value extra port and you may use it as such. Run two flashes
off one battery. That’s why there are two! But we needed heavier safer plugs
and ports. EXIT the RCA jacks.
• We will provide a Jacobs
Photo/Graphics DIN style plug for your Quantum cable and we do the first two
for free. Additional Just pay $5.00 and the postage ($5.00) It will then be
identical with the stronger DIN port on the charger. The two for 2009 are free
at time of purchase.
• Again additional ones are $5.00,
that’s the soldering, the plug and labor but does not include shipping. Send me
the cable with return postage if you wish Cash, Check, Money order, PayPal or a
stamp which has to be either a Priority Mail $4.85 cent stamp or another five
dollars. It's our way of saying
thanks for your business and keeping the flashes updated with all the new stuff.
• Please be advised that
specifications, performance, parameters, appearance, and dimensions of our
products are subject to change without notice. Since we have a liberal upgrade
program, you may request assistance at any time. For more up-to-date
information about Jacobs Photo/Graphics, GearHeads, Al Jacobson, contact me at
ajacobs2@tampabay.rr.com.
• Thank you for your business and
if you need anything just Email me with your phone number. I'm more than happy
to call you and you will hear a live voice!
• We ship via the United States
Postal Service. We get excellent flat rate rates for two to three day delivery
regardless of weight for the size unit we ship. So by keeping my costs down, it
keeps your costs down.
• And note sometimes we will ship
your box before your drop shipped cable arrives. This is a logistical situation
involving how many completed units I wish to store before I get them to the post office.
DISCLAIMER and FIFTH REMINDER • • •
Very important. These chargers, whether it be the standard charger, or
travel charger, are considered "Intelligent Chargers" and they
constantly test the status of the battery. With that said, when the battery is
not in use it should be stored on
CHARGER and the switch to “ON”.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT: Don't run the
battery to Zero: Under NO circumstances leave the depleted battery in that
state. Or, you will wind up sending it to me to re-power it. I can save the
battery, but the cost is shipping. It's about $13.00 to return it to you.
Simple rule...If it's not busy shooting it should be on the charger. This is what allows the unit to last five years. It is designed to work this
way.
THE CLIP LOCKS ON IN PLACE AND ROTATES.
This is so it will not fall off your belt. To remove the clip rotate the clip to HORIZONTAL and PRESS LEVER AT TOP. The clip will break the stud if you try CRO-MAGNON methods of removal (similar to what they did to the NEANDERTHALS) other than as explained.
CRO MAGNON SPECIAL: CLIPS AND STUDS ARE REPLACEABLE FOR 15.00 PARTS AND LABOR
•• STUPID DISCLAIMER ••
There are no stupid questions. Questions have cause or they wouldn’t be asked. There are however stupid mistakes by those too embarrassed to ask a question. This is why we build landfills. Don’t be a Mister Stupid; I won’t embarrass you with a stupid or smart answer. To me questions are a sign of intelligence.
The landfill is loaded with ideas, thoughts and questions that never were asked resulting in the incredible amount of junk created by those who failed to ask the right question at the right time. Landfills are similar to cemeteries, they too fill up with the occasional mistakes folks make like drinking and driving, driving and rain or snow, or just driving stupid. Mister stupid does get around….he seems to travel with St. Murphey-Lawes, the patron saint of photographers.
SNAIL MAIL:
AL JACOBSON
1200 Country Club Drive Suite 3504
Largo, FL 33771
WEBSITE:
www.aljacobs.com
will go to my blackberry if
you leave a phone number
EMAIL:
ajacobs2@tampabay.rr.com
will go to my blackberry if you leave a phone number
CALL ME AT HOME OFFICE, PLANT HAS NO PHONE
727-812-8101