UPGRADES 
It is the beginning of the dreaded Winter / Spring/ Summer / Shotgun (not seasonal) Wedding Season. The feared TyrinoBridus Rex and her mate, Brewusasouras, decided to make it legal. Fourteen offspring eggs do that to you. So lets get on the ball and get these packs updated, charged, tested and ready for the forthcoming slaughter. It could be you!
For me this means upgrades and repairs to get people back on track. For you this means "working with patience".
Weddings are work and you need "patience" before you swap the camera for a gun and make "patients" out of the Bride. Leave the groom alone, he just really wants it over.
So, already I am getting the eMails. "I went to hook up my battery pack after the winter and it's dead". My charger stays on green all the time and the battery is not charging". "My Tuxedo is dead, I didn't charge it this winter". Congratulations, a small portion of you might of had a real problem, but the other 98.7%, (and thats just fact my friend) now have free membership in the "I didn't read my instructions book club".
HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED - REJUVENATION
Each battery chemistry has it's own rules. Each manufacturer has it's own charging suggestions for optimum usage. Each photographer has his own mind and according to St. Murphy-Laws each home or office has it's own electrical, spikes, brownouts, back-wiring and other anomalies.
Combine them... your unit might not be up to specs. In percentage here are the top reasons.
40% You might of sulphated the battery by not charging it after use, for a few months
20% You ran it too far down and left it there under 5.8 volts triggering the battery safety.
10% Reversed wall outlets, or bad surged outlet. Surge strip effect charging and grounding.
10% Nature - Lightning strike, bolt or a flood, surges and brownouts. You cannot predict wear and tear on electrical digital products and batteries because the power sources, your electrical supply really have no standards and are so different regionally and even things vary door to door. The weather this winter and summer have been brutal and spikes are killers.
20% Things get old, like you and me.
NOT ALL IS LOST!
Remember one of the things we work on is simplicity and field repairable or easy and fast shop time. I will gladly look at for which there is no charge except return postage and parts. Now lets say you really screwed it up. We will inspect it and will call and advise you of what we found.
On most repairs with the newer batteries which may exhibit low numbers from improper use, I can de-sulphate and recharge the battery and there is no charge for this repair except postage return. Usually that was lack of charging or over used at a function and drained. Two years and older batteries mistreated I will suggest a replacement. A bad wire, weak, solder joint, anything correctable that is an anomaly, we take care of.
Any neglect or abuse is on your dime. That means dropped boxes, usually indicated by the dent on the bottom, or the edge, the loose battery tells me the battery dis-lodged usually by dropping, sometimes temperature extremes can loosen the tac that holds it in place, but it is easily repairable and does not stop its use in the field. It is designed to continued functioning which is why we use the heavier impact stranded fire-resistant wire and it is even heavier on the upgrade.
UPGRADES - NOT JUST A FACELIFT
If you have an older BLACK BOX or a TUXEDO vintage 2008-9 or older, call me if you do not know.
Most BLACK BOX and Tuxedos may be upgraded for a small fee to the new 2011 higher performance model. Everything in this world needs an uplift sooner or later.
Just ask Joan Rivers and Kim Kardashian, both women have assets that must be upgraded from time to time to achieve the maximum amount of performance in their careers. We know Joan does it with her wit and humor, and some of the ugliest jewelry around on QVC. We are still trying to figure out what Kim actually does as a celebrant in the way of talent, but readily admit she has the assets for it.
The ideal time is when it is in for service because it is inexpensive, you already shipped it, paid postage and reduces shipping costs. And not just a bluff and shine, or tweak shown above. Basically the unit gets torn apart and rebuilt to give you further years of service
OLDER ( SINGLE PORT) BLACK BOX UPGRADES
UPGRADED TO 2011 Standards - SPECIAL $40.00 plus return postage. (10.80 USPS)
Plus Battery If Needed. $15.00 additional - Combined you are basically getting a new unit.
1- Total Disassembly of entire unit.
2- Remove old decals and clean case as best.
3- Fittings D rings replaced as needed. New rivets.
4- Back Tab reinstalled and rivets drilled out, removed.
5- 2nd DIN added and RCA removed, Two Dins Installed in 2011 configuration.
6- All new RoHS high capacity fireproof wiring installed. (Airline proof)
7- RED CAP the DINS for the airlines.
8- Charger is checked and cable upgraded if needed with connectors and DIN plug.
9- All new wiring, hand soldered, all insulated, no connectors to wear or age. Meets Euro standards.
10- Flash cables checked, fixed free, upgraded, cleaned of heat and corrosion, retested and field checked.
11- If the battery tests or looks like it's shot, new higher power batteries (20% more power) installed $15.00 extra in the Black Box, 14.00 in the Tuxedo, generally if old one does not pass muster while it is here for upgrade. You save postage that way by not having it returned to me on another date by not wasting $11.00 postage
TUXEDOS - Additional Note
Two additional points on the Tuxedo. We remove the "inch worm', seal the holes and install a new Clip and tab. We also remove the RCA jack and install a mini off-on switch in it's place. You have to send me the charger and cable. Follow strict shipping instructions otherwise Gorganzola, my P/T helper will place your package in the H.F.O. bin, I really do have one. (Hell Freezes Over)