Has anyone thought about this? (DIY power pack)

Blake.Oney · Nov 17, 2010

I know a lot of people don't like DIY, but this guy makes it presentable, and in all honesty except for a couple things it's pretty much the same thing as the original product. There's a link in the video at the top to a test with AB B400, 800, 1600 and white lighting 1600.

To people who know about this type of stuff, would you use it?

davisphotos · Nov 17, 2010

It's all about the quality of the inverter-as long as there are no voltage drops, it's not likely to damage your equipment. Most of the franken-batteries I have seen are far less slick and polished than this one.

flameshots · Nov 17, 2010

absolutely I would use it! Matter of fact I'm probably going to build one myself very soon. I'm going to save some money and not use the special bag and just use a small walmart cooler. I'll try to post some pics of my project when I get it done.

Blake.Oney · Nov 17, 2010

Yea, he actually uses the same brand inverter as AB does. I don't know about the model, though. And then he uses the ground adapter, and fuses the cables so I would think his gear is relatively safe. You don't save a whole whole lot, but if you're comparing building 2 or 3 to buying 2 or 3 then you save a lot of money. Plus even the $70-$130 you save on this is good. Every little but helps! haha.

phiya · Nov 17, 2010

I like projects, and I likes savings the money. I jump in it. :lol:

Now all i need is a tiny Giraffe

Blake.Oney · Nov 17, 2010

We should just all make one of these and see how "professional" looking we can make it (ie. housing, cases and what not).

Vinny · Nov 17, 2010

I watched the video and I do have a couple of comments/questions.

Watts (W) = Voltage (V) x Current [Amps] (A)

He uses a 40 amp fuse IMO too large on a 150 watt inverter - 40 amp x 12 volt = 480 watts - larger than the inverter. 150 watts/120 volts = 1.25A - does the lighting use less than this current draw? Not sure why he is using a GFCI and why he has to ground the equipment - the inverter should power the equipment as the store bought system does. My current company car has one built in and I will assume will power anything as long as it doesn't exceed the maximum current.

You can buy any inverter and I will assume it needs to be a pure sine wave inverter and attach it to any lead acid battery and it should work - in this case approx 22 hours (28Ah battery/1.25A max current draw) with the assumption that the inverter doesn't require power (which it does).

I'm thinking ... stick to portable flash units in the field.

Blake.Oney · Nov 17, 2010

Vinny said:
I watched the video and I do have a couple of comments/questions.

Watts (W) = Voltage (V) x Current [Amps] (A)

He uses a 40 amp fuse IMO too large on a 150 watt inverter - 40 amp x 12 volt = 480 watts - larger than the inverter. 150 watts/120 volts = 1.25A - does the lighting use less than this current draw? Not sure why he is using a GFCI and why he has to ground the equipment - the inverter should power the equipment as the store bought system does. My current company car has one built in and I will assume will power anything as long as it doesn't exceed the maximum current.

You can buy any inverter and I will assume it needs to be a pure sine wave inverter and attach it to any lead acid battery and it should work - in this case approx 22 hours (28Ah battery/1.25A max current draw) with the assumption that the inverter doesn't require power (which it does).

I'm thinking ... stick to portable flash units in the field.

I was confused on the grounding part. I thought the GFCI to not have to ground it. Like a replacement for grounding. It didn't seem like it was grounded at all in the video while he was using it.

phiya · Nov 17, 2010

The original unit doesn't have an external ground, his DIY doesn't need one either. And I'm guessing the GFCI isn't really offering his equipment the protection he thinks it is.

Blake.Oney · Nov 17, 2010

Yea, I'm thinking he is using it more for a fuse type thing so it will pop before the lights.

Derrel · Nov 17, 2010

phiya said:
I like projects, and I likes savings the money. I jump in it.

Now all i need is a tiny Giraffe

Yeah, a tiny giraffe, and two SUPER-HOT Russian babes in slinky dresses! :lol:

()

phiya · Nov 17, 2010

Derrel said:
phiya said:

I like projects, and I likes savings the money. I jump in it.

Now all i need is a tiny Giraffe

Click to expand...

Yeah, a tiny giraffe, and two SUPER-HOT Russian babes in slinky dresses!

()

So detail oriented Derrel! Who says they have to be Russian? :biglaugh:

All I noticed was hot babes who didn't say a word.

*edit* And yes, the wanna be photographer, CPA is calling you detail oriented. :lol:

Village Idiot · Nov 18, 2010

Some one on POTN made one using a Pelican case to hide the contents.

The most expensive part about the Vagabond is the inverter.

But I purchased a Innovatrix Tronix Exploerer XT SE. It ended up costing about $430, but it's definitely worth it. The battery itself is only about $340, but with the carrying bag and the shipping from the Phillipines, it's nearly $100. The battery doesn't need a carrying back, but it's nice to have.

My big problem with the VBII is that once the battery is removed from the bag, there's nothing to hold it together, so if your bag wears out, you're SOL until you get another.