Welcome to Speedotron Thank you for purchasing Speedotron Black Line equipment. The name Speedotron is synonymous with professional workmanship and the finest electronic flash equipment available. Backed by years of experience, our engineers have developed the Black Line system to take the rigors of daily professional use with consistently outstanding results. For more than 50 years, Speedotron's reputation has grown without much fanfare or advertising. Over the years, we have found that a satisfied user is our best salesman. We are determined to serve you well and offer the most efficient, competent and courteous service anywhere. If this is your first Speedotron purchase, this guide will help you get the most out of your new equipment. If you've purchased and used our equipment before, much of this information will be familiar. In either case, we advise going over this manual thoroughly. It contains vital information on the care and proper use of all (including the latest) Speedotron products. This manual is not a photographic handbook; only information pertinent to basic operation is given. If you have questions about how to handle a particular lighting situation or other application that is not discussed, please contact us and we'll answer your questions as best we can. The equipment you have purchased is heavy-duty, durable equipment that will stand up to continuous use either on location or in the studio. However, there are certain operating procedures that should be adhered to insure maximum performance. Treated with a reasonable care, your Black Line system will provide you with dependable, consistent, long lasting service. Please help us to get to know you and fulfill our obligations to you. Return the enclosed warranty registration card (found in the center of this manual) to us immediately. Sending in this card will validate your warranty and put your name on our mailing list. Speedotron Corporation 310 South Racine Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60607 312/421-4050 FAX: 312/421-5079 welcome Speedotron's 2-Year U.S. Limited Warranty Speedotron guarantees to repair or replace, free of charge, any part or parts found by factory inspection to be defective due to faulty material or workmanship, provided the equipment is returned to our factory prepaid. The period of warranty is two years from the date of original purchase, except for flash tubes and modeling lamps, which are covered by the manufacturers' warranties, not by Speedotron. Flash tubes, are covered for a period of one year only, and the length of manufacturer's warranties on modeling lamps varies.The Speedotron two-year warranty does not apply to equipment which has been abused, cracked or broken in shipping, resold or rented (without written permission from Speedotron Corporation), which has the serial number removed or defaced, which has been modified or repaired by an unauthorized person, or which has been purchased from any source other than an authorized Speedotron dealer. A copy of the original sales receipt from an authorized Speedotron dealer is required at the time of warranty service. The seller shall not be liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct or consequential, arising from the use or inability to use the product. Prior to use, the purchaser shall determine the suitability of the product for the intended use and assume all risks and liabilities. The obligation of Speedotron Corporation is limited to repair or replacement only, and no one is authorized to assume any obligation not in accordance with the above. Do not attempt to make repairs to your Speedotron equipment. All electronic flash systems operate on high voltage and high power. There is a high risk of severe electrical shock when opening a power supply or light unit. Leave service to qualified and authorized electrical service personnel. Authorized service personnel are familiar with the procedure to fully discharge a live unit (flashing the unit is not enough to drain stored power even when the unit is unplugged). Repairs by unauthorized service personnel or by the user will void the warranty. Although we do have several service stations, we encourage you to send all repairs, under warranty or otherwise, to our factory to ensure the best possible service. Not only will your unit be properly repaired, but it will be given a routine updating of all circuitry that has been revised since your unit was manufactured. Should service be necessary under this warranty, return the item to us prepaid (we do not accept collect shipments). We, in turn, will expedite repairs and return the item to you prepaid, via whatever means of transportation you used to ship it to us (applies to continental U.S.A. only). This warranty is not valid unless you fill out and return your warranty registration card. Equipment should be registered within 10 days of purchase. Note: The warranties covering flash tubes and modeling lamps are original manufacturer warranties, and do not cover damage which occurs in shipping. All flash tubes are checked over before being shipped to ensure that they are in good condition. Please inspect all flash tubes and modeling lamps upon their arrival, and if they are cracked or broken, contact the shipping company immediately for a damage claim. Only flash tubes or modeling lamps that are defective, not those that are cracked or broken, are covered and will be replaced by the manufacturer's warranty. The Speedotron 2-year U.S. warranty applies only to Speedotron equipment purchased from authorized Speedotron dealers. FOR YOUR RECORDS: Dealer ______________________________________________________________________________________ Purchase Date _______________________________________________________________________________ Equipment Type______________________________________________________________________________ Model No. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Serial No.____________________________________________________________________________________ POWER SUPPLIES General Instructions and Information ........................................... 4-5 405 Description of Controls ............................................................... 6-7 Operating Instructions Power Ratios 805 Description of Controls ............................................................... 8-9 Operating Instructions Power Ratios 1205CX Description of Controls ........................................................ 10-12 Operating Instructions Power Ratios 2401CX/SX Description of Controls ................................................. 13-15 Operating Instructions Power Ratios 2405CX Description of Controls ........................................................ 10-12 Operating Instructions Power Ratios 2403CX Description of Controls ........................................................ 16-17 Operating Instructions Power Ratios 4803CX Description of Controls ........................................................ 18-20 Operating Instructions Power Ratios LIGHT UNITS General Instructions and Information ........................................... 21-22 Model 102 Light Unit ......................................................................... 23 Model 103B Light Unit ...................................................................... 23 Model 202VF Light Unit .................................................................... 23 Model 105, 2 Cable Light Unit ........................................................... 24 Model 105, 4 Cable light Unit ........................................................... 24 Model 206VF Light Unit .................................................................... 24 GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND CARE ...... 25 TROUBLE SHOOTING ................................ 26 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .................... 27 PLUS-3 PROTECTION PLAN ...................... 28 table of contents 2-year u.s. limited warranty instructions and information General Instructions and Information Although Speedotron Black Line power supplies vary in power and features, they all operate under the same principles. The following instructions apply to the entire Black Line series. For maximum equipment life and for safe, dependable operation of power supplies, we advise you to follow these general rules. · Before doing anything with the power supply make sure that the Model and Power switches are in the off position and the Reset button (circuit breaker) is fully depressed into its socket. · Connect light cable(s) to the Light Unit Outlet(s) on the power supply (with the103B, 202VF and 206VF lights, connect the light unit cable to the light unit before connecting to power supply), selecting the appropriate outlets for the desired power level. (Refer to the diagrams on the side of the power supply.) · To insert, align the light unit plug with the power supply outlet and apply even pressure while pushing. Make sure that all light unit cables are firmly seated. · Make sure cables are out of pathways or are taped to the floor to prevent accidentally disconnecting cables from power supply. · Never connect or disconnect a light unit while the power supply is turned on. Never insert or remove flash tubes while the light unit is connected to the power supply. Be sure flash tubes are fully seated into light unit sockets. (Read instructions in the Light Units section of this manual for more information on light unit assembly and operation.) · Always make sure your Model and Power switches are off when disconnecting or connecting light units. Speedotron power supplies are equipped with arc-protected outlets. However, as with any electrical equipment, arcover (an electrical discharge between two physically disconnected electrical terminals) is a possibility. When light cables, flash tubes or power cords are improperly seated, arc-over may occur. Also, if your light unit or power supply malfunctions, or the power cord or the internal wiring in the studio is improperly terminated or defective, there is a chance of arc-over. Severe power supply damage and operator injury may result if arc-over occurs. · Plug sync extension into Sync socket and connect other end to PC cord for camera. All sync extensions require a standard male AC twin-blade type to PC sync cord to connect to a camera or lens. The power supply end of the sync extension cords provided is a standard male AC twin-blade type sync connector with the exception of the 405 and 805 sync extensions. These sync extensions have a 1/4" international (phone jack) plug. · A slave tripper (Speedotron #23510) may be installed in the Sync socket to fire the power supply. If the slave tripper fails to trigger the power supply when another flash fires, remove the slave, rotate it 180° and reinstall it in the socket. The 805 features a built-in slave trigger for added convenience. · Connect AC power cord into Power Input on power supply. Always use a three-wire ground power cord and a properly grounded wall outlet with all Speedotron power supplies. Failure to do so may cause the power supply 4 to intermittently misfire. Do not use a three prong-to-two prong "ground eliminator" adapter. · Once the light units are properly assembled and installed, the power cord is installed and the sync extension is connected, turn the Power switch on. Do not immediately fire the unit on the first use or when the unit has been idle for periods over 3 weeks. Allow several minutes for the power supply's capacitors to form. Once this procedure has been followed at these times, subsequent use of the power supply requires no waiting period. · Ready/Push to Flash button may be depressed to verify proper system operation. · When Power is on, be sure Ready/Push to Flash indicator is illuminated before switching Power, Combine/Isolate, or Fast/Slow* controls. Do not move these switches while the unit is recycling. · Each Black Line power supply's unique features are fully explained in the next section of this manual. Never attempt to make repairs to your Speedotron equipment. All electronic flash systems operate on high voltage and power. It is very dangerous to open a power supply. To summarize, set-up should go as follows: · Make sure power supply is off (both Model and Power switches in the off position) and unplugged. · Connect light units to power supply. Inspect all connections, flash tubes and modeling lights. Set desired ratio. · Connect sync cable to power supply and camera · Connect power supply to AC. Turn on power supply and wait for it to reach full charge. · Test to see that all light units are flashing and slave triggers (if any) are functioning. Power Ratios Black Line equipment is capable of symmetrical (all light units receiving the same amount of light) or asymmetrical (ratioed) power distribution. Controlling distribution is as easy as flipping a switch. Each power supply is divided into three channels with differe ...