Balcar CONCEPT P4 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUEL
CONCEPT P4
(10451)
Amp
A B C D MADE IN FRANCE
100 - 240 V 50/60 HzTEST
10 A Slo. 220 V
20 A Slo. 110 V
A
CONCEPT P4
Auto
Auto Max
100%
ind
X
B C D
Rue des Coutures, Z.I. Sud de Torcy - 77200 TORCY - FRANCE
Tel: (33) (0) 1 64 11 63 90 - Fax: (33) (0) 1 64 11 63 91
®
99500 CP4 instructions

2CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the latest in electronic flash technology. We hope you
will be satisfied with the high performance and versatility of your new CONCEPT
P4 unit. Please read the following information carefully before using your flash
unit.
The CONCEPT P4 must be used in conjunction with a BALCAR PS-U 3, PS-U 4
or PS-Z 4 light-head. Do not attempt to use the CONCEPT P4 with any other
light head. BALCAR U and Z heads are not compatible with the CONCEPT P4
system.
The power obtained in each head depends on the head model, the position of
the head power selector switch and the power setting on the CONCEPT P4.
Section 4. provides details on how to set power.
The CONCEPT P4 will function from 90 V to 260 V, 50/60 Hz. Voltage selection
is automatic.
Safety Warnings
1. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE THE CONCEPT P4. Never open the unit and never attempt to
repair it. You might be injured by the high-voltage. BALCAR maintains
repair stations around the world to give you the best service.
2. ALWAYS DISCHARGE and UNPLUG the light-heads before removing
the Pyrex shell and touching the flashtube or the model lamp.
3. NEVER use fuses rated higher than those listed:
CONCEPT P4 10 A slow-blow (used in 110 V)
20 A slow-blow (used in 220 V)
PS-U/Z heads 6.3 A slow-blow
4. ALWAYS connect on the CONCEPT P4 on a properly grounded A/C
line: this will reduce the risk of electric shock.
5. ALWAYS protect the CONCEPT P4 from excessive humidity, and
NEVER use it under rain or on a wet floor.
Caution
Weight 5.2 Kg (11.5 lbs)
Dimension 30x16x18 cm (12x6x7")
Voltage spec 90-260 V 50/60 Hz
Max AMP draw
w/out model lamp 6 A (100 V) to 2.5A (240 V)
w/ 4 x 300 W lamps 20 A (100 V) to 7.5A (240 V)
Max model lamp 4 x 300 W
Max nominal power 4 x 1,600 Ws (6,400 Ws)
Power Variation range 4 f-stops + 2 on head

CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL 3
Amp
A B C D MADE IN FRANCE
100 - 240 V 50/60 Hz TEST
10 A Slo. 220 V
20 A Slo. 110 V
A
CONCEPT P4
Auto
Auto Max
100%
ind
X
2
1
3
17
14
6
12137891011
4
19
20
15
16
22
5
21
18
B C D
1 A/C Input Plug: Automatic 100-240 V • 50/60 Hz.
2 Fuse holder
3 Main On/Off: shuts all power.
4 Auxiliary on/off: puts the unit on standby.
5 Light Head Plug
Compatible with existing Balcar "PS-U 3/4" and "PS-Z
4" light heads.
The unit automatically senses the presence of the
head.
6 Charge Rate Selector and Indicator (3 Modes)
All positions draw a constant current.
7 Light Head Main Indicator
Will turn on if the light head is plugged in and turned
on.
Indicates the flash power in decimal f-stops.
8 Light Head On/Off
Turns the light head on/off (flash and model lamp) if
the head is connected. Also used to turn individual
model lamps on and off.
9 Head Power Up: controls power and/or model lamp.
10 Head Power Down: controls power and/or model
lamp.
11 Model On/Off Indicator
12 Master Power Up
Raises the power of all heads simultaneously, pre-
serving light ratios, until the maximum on any one
head is reached.
13 Master Power Down
Lowers the power of all heads simultaneously, pre-
serving light ratios, until the minimum on any one
head is reached.
14 Model Lamp Selector
When pressed normally, changes model lamp modes:
• model lamps off (no mode selected)
• Auto: Each model lamp is proportional to the
flash power of each head:
10 is 100%, 9 is 50%, 8 is 25% etc.
• Auto Max: Each model lamp is proportional to
the flash power of each head, but there is always
one model lamp at 100%: the other model lamps
are proportionally lower.
• 100%
• independent: The level of each model lamp is
set using the up (9) and down (10) keys while
maintaining the model lamp selector pressed.
When held pressed, allows individual control of each
model lamp using keys 8, 9 and 10 and displays 7 and
11.
15 Sequencer On/Off
16 Sequence Counter
Used to create multiple flashes, in one of two modes:
• In Automatic (“A”) mode, the flash will trigger as
long as the “Test” button (17) or camera synchro
“X” (18) is held down. The display (16) will count
up.
• In standard mode, the number of flash desired is
selected. A simple trigger will start the sequence.
The display will count down until the sequence is
over.
17 Test Button/100% Charge Indicator
18 Synchro “X” Jack
19 Beep On/Off with Indicator
20 Photocell On/Off with Indicator
21 Photocell
22 LocalTalk™ Interface: connects the pack to a net-
work.
Each head is controlled either individually, or with the
master (which preserves light ratios). Each head can vary
from 10 (full power) to 6.0 (1/16 power) using the up and
down keys, with additional variation on each head: 2 f-
stops (PS-U 4), 1.5 f-stop (PS-Z 4) or 1 f-stop (PS-U 3)
2. CONTROL PANEL

4CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
3. BEFORE YOUR START
Checking the head
Before using your CONCEPT P4 unit, you should check the proper condition of
your PS-U 3, PS-U 4 or PS-Z 4 head, by doing the following:
1. Remove the lamp protector
2. Remove the Pyrex protector shell
3. Using a clean cloth (not your bare fingers), make sure the flashtube is
properly inserted into the flashtube sockets, and that it is resting on the
trigger wire. Also check that the model lamp is screwed in tightly.
Note: touching the flashtube and model lamp with your fingers is
harmful to the Quartz: the oil which you would spread on the lamps will
cause it to heat and eventually burn out.
Connecting the head
To connect the head to anyone of the 4 light head plugs (A,B,C or D):
1. Align the yellow dot on the plug with the yellow dot on the CONCEPT
P4.
2. Gently insert the plug and rotate the locking ring clockwise until the
plug is firmly locked into place (on new heads, this ring may be a bit
stiff at first).
Connecting the CONCEPT P4
You can now connect the CONCEPT P4 to a grounded A/C line, using the A/C
cord provided with your unit.
The CONCEPT P4 is powered by turning the ON/OFF switch of the A/C plug
assembly to the ON position. This switch is also called the "hardware on/off",
because it actually cuts off the A/C supply line when in the OFF position.
The 0/1 switch at the bottom left of the control panel is called the "auxiliary
on/off". It is used to actually turn the unit on or off, after the hardware switch is
turned on.
When the hardware on/off is ON and the auxiliary on/off is OFF, the unit remains
powered, but in a wait state: the yellow LED will blink. If the O/1 button at the
bottom left was left off last time the unit was turned off, you will have to press it
to actually turn the unit on. If it was left on, the unit turns on immediately.
The CONCEPT P4 memorizes the position of each switch so next time you use
the unit it will be set the same way it was when you turned it off.
4. CHARGE RATE SELECTION
The CONCEPT P4 uses a high-frequency switch power supply to charge the
capacitors. One of the benefits is a constant current draw during the charge.
This current draw is controlled using the Charge Rate Selector button, by press-
ing it until the desired charge rate is displayed.
MADE IN FRANCE
100 - 240 V 50/60 HzTEST
10 A Slo. 220 V
20 A Slo. 110 V
A
Caution
Amp
Auto Max
100%
ind

CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL 5
4. POWER CONTROL
Head Sensing
The CONCEPT P4 senses the presence of a head connected to it. In order to
turn a head on, the head must be connected to the unit. If the display of that
head does not turn on, the head on/off was left off last time that head was used:
just turn it on.
Note: the individual head double digit decimal display indicates whether the
head is on or off.
Decimal F-stops
The CONCEPT P4 power is displayed in DECIMAL f-stops. This system may
seem awkward at first, but it is actually quite simple.
f-stop power
10 1/1 The individual displays
9.0 1/2 indicate the decimal
8.0 1/4 f-stop of each head.
7.0 1/8
6.0 1/16
Power Control on the CONCEPT P4
Each key click corresponds to ± 1/10 f-stop, which is observable on a flash
meter (± the precision of the flash meter). Don't think in Ws, nor power percent-
ages, but rather in increase or decrease of f-stop.
For example, you wish to increase by 1/2 (5/10) f-stop a power setting of 8.2:
just click the up key 5 times (to 8.7).
Power ratios between two heads are the difference between their displays. For
example, if Head A is at 8.0 and Head B is at 9.5, the power ratio is 1.5 (1 1/2) f-
stops, the difference between 9.5 and 8.0.
When using the Master Up or Down keys, notice that all displays increment or
decrement together, therefore preserving the light ratio between each head, as
the difference between the displays remains constant.
If any head reaches 10, the master up reaches its maximum.
If any head reaches 6.0, the master down reaches its minimum.
When power is lowered, you need to flash the unit (or the head) in order to
"dump" each head.
Power Control on the Head
PS-U/Z heads have their own power selector switch. It is used to increase or
decrease the power range of your CONCEPT P4. For accurate model lamp
AUTO ratioing, each head should be at the same nominal power.
Maximum power on each head is obtained with the selector in the 1 position.
Numbers in () give the f-stop decrease from 1,600 Ws.
1 1/2 or 2/3 1/4 or 1/3
PS-Z 4 1,600 Ws 1,066 Ws (-0.6) 533 Ws (-1.6)
PS-U 4 1,600 Ws 800 Ws (-1.0) 400 Ws (-2.0)
PS-U 3 800 Ws (-1.0) 400 Ws (- 2.0) 200 Ws (- 3.0)
A
Individual Head Control
Master Control

6CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
5. MODEL LAMP CONTROL
Model Mode Selection
The CONCEPT P4 offers many model lamp modes which are selected using the
Model Lamp Mode button at the upper right of the control panel keypad.
Each time you press the button, the model mode changes, and the correspond-
ing yellow LED indicator lights up. When no LED's are on, you have selected the
OFF mode.
1. OFF mode:
All model lamps are turned off.
2. Ind (Independent) mode:
Each model lamp is lit at a specific level which you can modify. This is
explained below.
3. 100% mode:
All model lamps are set at 100% (10) power, regardless of the flash
power of each head.
4. AUTO mode:
The model lamp level of each head is proportional to the actual flash
power of that head. For example, a head set at 10 will have a model
lamp level of 10 (100%). A head set at 8.0, will have a model lamp
level of 8.0 (25%).
True proportionality between flash and model lamp is only obtained if
the model lamp of each head is of the same type (i.e. all 150W or all
300W), and if the power selector switch at the back of each head is in
an equivalent position.
5. AUTO MAX mode:
This mode is identical to the AUTO mode, but the intensity of the
model lamp of the head at the highest flash power is set at 100%. In
order to preserve proportionality, all other model lamp values are
increased accordingly.
The following example summarizes the differences between each
mode:
Head A B C
Flash Power 8.0 6.5 9.0
Model Lamp Power
OFF OFF OFF OFF
100% 10 10 10
ind. 8.0* 8.0* 8.0*
AUTO 8.0 6.5 9.0
AUTO MAX 9.0 7.5 10
* 8.0 is the default value, but you can change it to any value.
Model Mode Display/Independent Mode
By maintaining the Model Lamp Selector button pressed, the individual head
double-digit display will display the model lamp level for that head, until you
release the Model Lamp Selector. While still maintaining the Model Lamp
Selector button pressed, you can turn each model lamp on or off by pressing the
individual ON/OFF button of each head.
The individual model lamp yellow LED (to the immediate left of the individual
ON/OFF button) indicates whether that model lamp is on. Individual model
lamps cannot be turned on if the model lamp mode is OFF.
Model Mode Selection
Individual Display & Control
Amp
Auto
Auto Max
100%
ind
A

CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL 7
In the Ind. (Independent) mode, the up and down arrows are used to raise or
lower the power of the model lamp independently from the power of the flash.
This can only be done if the Ind. mode is selected. Note that the Model Lamp
Selector button must remain pressed long enough before using the individual
head controls.
6. SYNCHRO CONTROL
Synchro Hardware
The CONCEPT P4 is triggered using the TEST button/100% charge indicator,
the Synchro Jack "X" plug, the Photocell (if enabled) or the Sequencer.
The unit will be allowed to trigger once it is 100% charged, and only if the TEST
button (or X sync contact) was previously released.
If there is a short-circuit in the synchro connection, the unit will not trigger again
(and the 100% indicator will not turn on), until the short is eliminated.
A single head is triggered by pressing the TEST button at the back of that head.
If the photo cell is turned on, the other heads will likely also trigger. By maintain-
ing the head TEST button pressed, the individual head display will turn off: this is
useful when you have lost track of what head is connected where.
Photo Cell
The photocell is activated by pressing the Photo Cell button. The yellow LED
indicator is on when the cell is active.
100% charge Audible Signal
The 100% charge audible signal is activated by pressing the audible signal but-
ton. The yellow LED indicator is on when the signal is active.
You can flash as soon as the audible signal starts.
Sequencer
The CONCEPT P4 Sequencer is used to create multiple flash sequences. It is
activated by pressing the Sequence Selector. If activated, the decimal display
and the yellow LED indicator turn on.
There are 2 sequence modes:
1. Count-down mode:
Press the sequence button until the number of flashes you want is dis-
played. Once the unit is triggered (using the TEST button, the "X" syn-
chro plug or the photocell), the CONCEPT P4 will flash as many times
as you requested as soon as it is at 100% charge. The display counts
down until it reaches 0, then resets itself, ready for a new sequence.
You can interrupt the sequence by pressing any key on the keyboard.
2. Count-up (AUTO) mode:
When A is displayed, the unit will keep firing as long as you maintain
the TEST button pressed, or the "X" synchro signal. The display counts
up until you stop firing, then resets itself, ready for a new sequence.
Cell "X"
X
100 - 240 V 50/60 HzTEST
10
A
Sl
o.
220
V
20 A Slo. 110 V
Photo Cell/Beeper Conrols
Sequence Control

8CONCEPT P4 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
7. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Misfiring
If a head misfires at lower power, you probably have a flash tube that is either
new or hard to trigger. Fire that tube at full power 50 times to "break it in". It
should fire correctly from now on.
Reset
To display additional CONCEPT P4 information, maintain the O/1 Auxiliary
ON/OFF button pressed until C ONCEPT P4isdisplayed.
The software version number will then be displayed following the U. display:
If you maintain the ON/OFF button pressed, the unit is reset to its original factory
configuration.
The number of flashes made is then displayed. If you maintain the ON/OFF but-
ton pressed, the display will zero itself (wait until the 0's appear).
Changing the Fuse
Turn the unit off and unplug the A/C cord if you need to change the fuse on your
CONCEPT P4.
Unscrew the fuse holder using a flat-blade screwdriver. Replace the fuse with
the same rated fuse.
Flash Duration and Color Temperature
As a general rule, raising and lowering power using the variators will not affect
flash duration but will modify color temperature. On the other hand, using the
power selector at the back of the head will change flash duration while maintain-
ing color temperature.
For shorter flash duration, set the head at the lowest power setting using the
head power selector. We recommend adding a second flash tube (in the "cross"
position), which reduces flash duration up to 40%.
For optimal color temperature, use clear shells when lighting with diffusing
accessories, and yellow shells with direct reflectors.
Travel Recommendations
When going on location make sure the CONCEPT P4 and the heads are proper-
ly packed. Take special care in guarding against shocks and in protecting the
glass (flashtube, model lamp, Pyrex shell) of the head. If necessary, remove the
glass and protect it separately.
Always carry a spare synchro cord and spare glass.
We hope you wil enjoy the use of your new CONCEPTP4, and we thank you
again for your purchase.
Please mail or fax any comments to:
BALCAR S.A.
Rue des Coutures, Z.I. Sud de Torcy
77200 Torcy FRANCE
tel: [phone] - fax: [phone]
e-mail : [email protected] - http://www.balcar.fr
MADE
I
10 A Slo. 220 V
20 A Slo. 110 V
Caution
99500 CP4 instructions