TUXEDO INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are as simple to understand,
as the product is to use.
TUXEDO UPDATED: 09-04-09
Thank you for your business. You made a good choice! The Black Box Tips and Tricks will
be applicable to the Tuxedo and Black Box alike on the new website. It will be loaded with more information
about updates, the units and the myriad of things you can do with it. Like
nighttime bike lights, fishing at night, spelunking lights, etc.
Look for it on my website: http://www.aljacobs.com.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The 2010 TUXEDO is a higher capacity battery, not higher voltage, than multiple
sets of AA cells and a lot less complicated than battery changing during fast
shoots and stressful situations. E.g. Weddings, Court Rooms, and Town Hall
Meetings. This is the prime reason
for this hand-built, made in the USA product, simple, fast, compact and
designed for long life. It was
designed by a photographer for photographers. It is a common sense application of
stable extra power, while eliminating useless power robbing electronics.
INSTRUCTION HATERS:
Most folks hate instructions:
Failure to follow these instructions is fairly common. Since I do all
the repairs, I will tell you 90% of all of our free repairs relate to “not
following instructions”. The other 10% have to do with barstools and
gravity. Falling off barstools is
a national sport in some areas.
US
DOMESTIC STANDARD CHARGER:
Currently the Tuxedo is supplied standard with a US charger, with
110VAC-60Hz. The charger made by
Universal will bring the battery in just a few hours to about 85-90+ percent of
capacity very rapidly under the RED mode and then it goes into GREEN trickle
mode.
The Black Box can stay on the charger in the GREEN mode literally for up to
five years. But constant charge may be interrupted for up to 15- 20 days if
needed. And it can detect reversed wires and has other safeguards. We put the
brains in the charger. The unit was partially charged at the factory. Just plug
the charger into the wall. Our charger is 500 milliamps, larger and possibly
the largest in this class for a small unit like the Tuxedo. Chargers are like
carefully fitted suits. They are individual and made with specific algorithms
to perform with a specific battery. Do not mix other chargers with this unit if
you did not get it from us.
1- Please PLUG CHARGER IN WALL.
2- LOOK FOR GREEN LIGHT: There
should be a green light indicating the charger is activated.
3-
CONNECT BOX: Connect the box, charger cable fits DIN port only one way, look
for the bump or key to align.
4- TURN BOX ON: It will not charge
unless the switch is on. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
5- Indicator Light will switch to RED and after charging a few hours will turn
GREEN. It is now in the trickle, maintenance mode.
Optional
EURO style Automatic Charger
6500a/c – EURO
($45.00)
If traveling abroad you have two choices, use the standard charger
with a Radio Shack or similar converter or special order the Euro Charger. Also please make sure you declare it
with your photographic gear at customs. Our units are RoHS certified and Sealed
Lead Acid Batteries are legal on most airlines. You will need an adapter or converter for the country you
are attending with the standard charger.
We do have an overseas charger available for 45.00 dollars. It is not standard
with the Tuxedo. Most plug adapter kits are available on line in Radio Shack
and other stores online. This unit
operates the same way as the standard charger.
ERRATA:
It
is not necessary to discharge fully prior to charging. In fact, that is
damaging to the battery and there are NO memory problems with the Sealed Lead
Acid Battery. Actually charging it makes it better.
After usage immediately place the battery back on the charger regardless of
whether you shot 100 or 500 shots and forget about it. 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. The flash, if
exceeded by the ability of the flashtube to cool down, will blow and we will be
at odds. The 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 500 - 700 recharges. This amount can vary depending
upon how the battery was used.
However our rates for re-building and upgrading are the lowest in the
industry.
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 $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.
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
or call.
We ship via the United States Postal Service. We get excellent flat rate rates
for two-three day delivery; the insurance is cheaper regardless of weight for
the size unit we ship; It is 25% cheaper then UPS and FedEx; Reliability has
been 100%. Sometimes we will ship your box before your drop shipped cable
arrives.
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 $6.00 - 13.00 to return it to you.
THE PRIME DIRECTIVE: If it's not busy shooting and making
you money, it should be on the charger. Either charger. This is what allows the
unit to last five to seven years. It is designed to work this way. With no
electronics on the battery you are not cooking the unit.
Questions? Contact AL JACOBSON
EMAIL: ajacobs2@tampabay.rr.com
WEBSITE: www.aljacobs.com
SNAILMAIL: 1200
Country Club Drive, Suite 3504, Largo, FL 33771
PHONE: 727-812-8101