Broncolor VISATEC Powerbox 900 User manual

BB
Operating instructions
www.bron.ch

Operating instructions Powerbox 900
by bron
Before use
We are pleased you have chosen a Powerbox 900 by bron which is a high-quality product in
every respect. If used properly, it will render you many years of good service. Please read all
the information contained in these operating instructions carefully. They contain important
details on the use, safety and maintenance of the appliance. Keep these operating instructions
in a safe place and pass them on to further users if necessary.
Observe the safety instructions.
Contents page
Important safety instructions 2
Controls and displays 4
1. Powerbox 900 6
2. Start up 7
3. Energy display 8
4. Safety 8
5. Protective facilities 9
6. Maintenance / Repairs 9
7. Technical data 10
8. Guarantee 11
9. Environmental protection information 12

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Important safety instructions
VISATEC and broncolor flash light systems should be utilised exclusively
for professional photo shootings and only by qualified personnel. Before
starting up your Powerbox 900 read carefully all the information in your
operating instructions. The safety instructions therein must be strictly
followed!
• Read and understand all instructions before using!
• Remove the transport protection and the packing material
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used near children. Do not
leave the Powerbox 900 unattended while in use!
• VISATEC and broncolor units and accessories meet an extremely high safety
standard! When connecting accessories of other brands to VISATEC or broncolor
units, integrated safety measures may become ineffective! Due to different design
features and contact assignment of the lamp plugs of other brands, the user
himself/herself may even be at risk. We offer no guarantee and accept no liability for
damages which may be caused by this type of usage!
• To avoid the risk of fire, electric shock or injury to persons utilise exclusively the
accessory recommended by the manufacturer!
• Check that the mains voltage corresponds to the information on the type plate of
the unit!
• Only units designed for mains power operation may be connected to the Powerbox
900.
• The Powerbox 900 is designed for use in dry conditions and in an ambient
temperature from 0°C to 35°C! The Powerbox must be protected from wetness,
condensation, from dripping and splash water, humidity, dirt, sand, metal chips and
exposure to dust!
• Protect the Powerbox 900 from electromagnetic fields, shock and vibration!
• Protect the Powerbox 900 from heat and frost! If the Powerbox 900 freezes
continuous loss of power output and serious technical damage can result!
• Sudden temperature differences can cause condensation water in the unit! In such
situations the Powerbox 900 must stay for 1 hour in a well ventilated place to
acclimatise to the new temperature before startup!
• Do not operate the Powerbox 900 in an environment where there is a risk of
explosion!
• The Powerbox 900 should not be operated in or near water!
Attention: high voltage!
• The Powerbox 900 should not be immersed in water or other liquids!
It could cause an electric shock! Attention: Danger!
• If an extension cable is necessary, a cable with a current rating at least equal to that
of the appliance should be used. Cables rated for less amperage than the appliance

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may overheat. When using a cable reel, it must be completely unrolled before use to
prevent overheating of the cable!
• If the Powerbox has to be operated inside a bag, make sure that there is sufficient
ventilation !
• Do not touch the connection socket for the mains cable on the Powerbox 900 and
do not poke in it with metal objects!
• Burns can occur from touching hot parts!
• Let the unit cool completely after use and before packing!
• Always unplug appliance from electrical socket before cleaning and servicing and
when not in use! Never jerk cable to pull the plug from the socket. Grasp plug and
pull to disconnect!
• Dropped or damaged units or lamps must be checked by a specialist before
reconnection!
• To reduce the risk of electric shock, never open the Powerbox! Attention: Danger!
Dangerous voltages could still remain inside the unit even after it has been
disconnected from the mains supply. Therefore, take the unit to an authorised
VISATEC or broncolor service station when service or repair work is required.
Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock, even when the unit is closed!
• This unit produces AC voltage of 230 V or 110 V at the outlet socket and must not be
touched by children! Attention: danger! Even when switched off, 230 V or 110 V AC
voltages could still be present at the outlet socket for a while due to loaded
capacitors.
• As soon as you assume that operation of the unit under safe circumstances is no
longer possible, unplug the unit immediately, protect it from adverse conditions and
make sure that it is not put into operation inadvertently. Do not operate the unit
when it does not show signs of working, if there are adverse environmental
conditions, if there is visible damage, when damage has occurred during transport,
or after storing the unit under unfavourable conditions.
• Service and repairs – Service and repair work may only be carried out by authorised
service personnel.
• When transporting with the strap, ensure that the strap hooks are properly engaged.
• Shipping instructions Powerbox 900:
Use the original packing to transport the Powerbox 900! Before shipping, pack the
unit in our supplied protective packing material.

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Controls and displays
1. Battery charge voltage display (or malfunction)
2. Battery charge voltage display (full), green ready display
3. Switch “on/off”
4. AC socket
5. Charge socket
6. Charge state display green
7. Charge state display yellow
8. Charge state display red
Front panel

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Picture charger
Side view
Batter
y
char
g
er

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1. Powerbox 900
The Powerbox 900 voltage transformer is a modern microcontroller controlled unit,
especially suited for mobile applications. The Powerbox 900 converts the low DC input
voltage into a higher AC voltage. The output alternating voltage corresponds to a true
sinusoidal alternating voltage. This instruction manual deals with the operation of the
Powerbox 900 with monolights from Bron Elektronik AG.
The Powerbox 900 is characterised by the following features:
• true sinus output voltage
• high efficiency
• precise stable voltage thresholds
• under- / over voltage protection
• overload management
• low voltage shutdown
• less idle current consumption
• low weight
• precise crystal-controlled 50 or 60 Hz frequency
• short circuit protection
• temperature-activated protective circuit
• soft-start function for loads with high inrush current
1.1 Application Powerbox 900
This unit is designed for professional photography as a mobile battery for mains-
independent work. The Powerbox 900 enables photographers to work outside with their
studio equipment in favourable weather conditions.
1.2 General information on operating AC loads with the Powerbox 900
In general, all the monolights from Bron Elektronik AG may be operated with the
Powerbox 900 (see compatibility information in Chapter 8). However, in order to
estimate the power requirements and necessary reserves, it is important to know some
typical characteristics of the unit which is connected to the Powerbox. Only units
designed for mains operation may be connected to the Powerbox.

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Attention!
• Ensure that the operating voltage of the Powerbox and the connected unit have
matching mains voltage specifications.
• Also, please note that continuous operation of the modelling light greatly reduces
the energy supply through the Powerbox. Therefore, we recommend to work
without modelling light.
2. Start up
2.1 Mains voltage
The Powerbox 900 is available in two different versions:
a) as a unit version designed exclusively for 230 V / 50 Hz mains voltage.
b) as a unit version designed exclusively for 120 V / 60 Hz mains voltage.
2.2 Connection
Check that the voltage data on the Powerbox 900 corresponds to the voltage of the unit
that is connected.
Ensure that there is an adequate natural circulation of air at the Powerbox 900. Never
cover the Powerbox 900 (3) and never operate the unit near combustible materials.
Connect the Powerbox 900 with the desired unit and switch it on.
2.3 Battery charge with charger
The Powerbox 900 is charged via the socket on the unit (5). Please check that your
mains voltage corresponds to the data on the type label of the charger. The charger
(36.128.XX) charges the Powerbox 900 in 2 levels which are displayed by the integrated
LEDs of the charger:
LED red (8): battery empty
LED yellow (7): the battery is being charged in fast charge mode up to 90 %
of full charge. Duration, depending on state of charge, up to
2.5 hours.
LED green (6): the battery is being fully recharged slowly (duration, up to an
additional 30 minutes) and then kept on charge
Attention! Do not connect a fully charged battery to a charger.

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2.4 Start up
We recommend to transport the Powerbox always using the shoulder strap. The length of
the cable between the Powerbox 900 and the connected unit should not be longer than
10 metres.
1.) Ensure that the Powerbox 900 is fully charged (see chapter 2.3).
2.) Connect (4) the desired unit (e.g. monolight).
3.) Switch on the Powerbox 900 using the mains switch (3). The green control lamp
(2) lights up when the PB 900 is charged.
4.) Now switch on the unit. Depending on the unit connected a low charging noise
can be heard from the coil. Also, the homogeneity of the modelling light analogue
to the charging intervals can slightly vary, which is noticeable from a slight buzzing
and flickering of the halogen lamps.
3. Energy display
The LED indicates various modes of operation of the Powerbox.
LED lights up green (2):
• The Powerbox 900 is ready for operation.
LED lights up red (1):
• The Powerbox 900 has shut down to prevent damage to the battery due to too low
battery voltage.
• The red LED (1) of the Powerbox 900 can light up briefly analogue to the charging
intervals at approximately 35 % remaining energy (this is not a malfunction).
4. Safety
The Powerbox 900 works with an integrated automatic safety device which cannot be
exchanged. Should the Powerbox 900 not respond, switch it off and on again, and
subsequently test the Powerbox 900 without load. If the unit does not react, either the
battery is empty or the unit is defective and must be repaired by an authorised technician.

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5. Protective facilities
5.1 Thermal protection
If the temperature becomes too high inside the Powerbox 900, the energy flux will be
blocked and the Powerbox 900 switches off automatically. After the cooling process, the
Powerbox 900 can be switched on again.
6. Maintenance / Repairs
Your Powerbox 900 is a precision device which will work without problems for many
years if you take adequate care. However, if troubles occur, please never try to open the
unit in order to repair it yourself. Dangerous voltages could still remain inside the unit
even after it has been switched off. Bring it always to a VISATEC or broncolor service
station for maintenance and repairs.
6.1 Care and use of the Powerbox 900 battery
Important:
• We recommend to charge the battery before startup.
• We recommend to charge the battery every time after use, even if it is
only partly discharged. A long period of time between charging and discharging of the
battery can influence its performance, or reduce the service life, respectively.
• Ensure that the battery does not fully run down.
6.2 Battery care
To guarantee a longer lifespan of the battery we advise to charge it completely at these
specific times:
• If possible, every time after use
• Always before longer storing or non-use
• At least, in 3 month intervals
Even if the battery was partly recharged it can be utilised without problem as it does not
suffer from the inconvenient memory effect.
Utilisation after longer storing: The battery should be charged to compensate the loss of
its own discharging during storage.