impact VC-500LR User manual

VC-500LR Monolight
INSTRUCTIONS
lighting equipment and accessories
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impact

Congratulations on your purchase of the Impact VC-500LR Monolight. We
feel that it will contribute much to your photographic skill and enjoyment. This
light incorporates numerous advanced features, and was designed to provide
many years of trouble-free service. Please read these operating instructions
and safety precautions carefully before operating this equipment.
Features
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Power Requirements
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Contents of carton
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A
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K
L
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H
I
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Legend
A – Liquid Crystal Display K – Fuse Holder
B – Ready Beeper Indicator L – Sync Cord Jack
C – Modeling Lamp Indicator M – Power Switch
D – Error Indicator (shown off) N – Power Regulator Knob
E – Flash Ready Indicator O – Slave Sensor Control Button
F – Voltage Indicator P – TEST Button
G – Photo Cell Indicators (shown off) Q – Audible Beep Button
H – Modeling Lamp Readout R – Modeling Lamp Independent Adjustment
I – Flash Power Readout S – Power Socket
J – Autodump Indicator T – Umbrella Holder
Power Supply
Before plugging the power cord into the wall socket, make certain that the power switch
is set to the OFF (“O” position). Note: The VC-500LR monolight is designed to work on
110-120V 60Hz AC current.
Power Switch
Turn the power switch to the ON (“—“)
position. A beep will sound and the LCD
will show all of the current settings. We
recommend charging the monolight for
one hour prior to its initial use and after an
extended period of inactivity (more than
two weeks). If the unit is left unused for a
few months, or the unit has been used
predominately at low power settings,
we recommend that the power be
increased to the maximum and the unit left
switched on (with the modeling lamp OFF)
for at least 30 minutes, to help preserve
the life of the capacitors.
Operating Instructions
MODEL
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH

Flash Output
The ash power output is variable over a ve
f/stop range (six f/stops) from full power to 1/32
power in 1/10 f/stop increments. The power is
displayed on the LCD screen in decimal form.
The smaller top number represents the
modeling lamp power, and the larger bottom
number represents the ash power. Minimum
setting is 1.0 and the maximum is 6.0. Rotating
the regulator knob changes the value by 0.1
f-stop (a total of 50 values). If the current value
is 5.6 and you want to reduce the power by one
stop, set the power to 4.6.
To Set the Flash and Modeling Light Output Together
Rotating the power regulator knob will adjust the power of both the ash and the
modeling lamp unless you choose to set the power for each separately (more on that
later). The READY icon will appear when the power is 80% recycled. We recommend you
wait an extra second or two for 100% power. This will prolong the life of the capacitors.
The ash is now ready to re. To test, press the TEST button. When stepping down the
power of the ash, the FL ASH icon on the LCD screen will blink until the capacitors
release the accumulated energy.
Flash Settings
Setting Power
6.0 Full Power
5.0 1/2 Power
4.0 1/4 Power
3.0 1/8 Power
2.0 1/16 Power
1.0 1/32 Power
MODEL
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH

Lamp Saving Technology
The VC-500LR has built-in soft-start circuitry to ensure longer modeling lamp life.
When the modelling lamp is turned on it will light up at a minimum brightness and slowly
reach full brightness after a few seconds. This technology will allow the user to make
fewer replacement lamp purchases over time.
Settings for the Modeling Lamp
By repeatedly pressing the regulator knob you can cycle through choices to set the same
power for both the ash tube and the modeling lamp, to set the power for the ash and
modeling lamp separately, or to have the modeling lamp off.
When both the ash icon and the modeling lamp icon are displayed, turning the regulator
knob will affect the power to both the ash tube and the modeling lamp.
To Set the Flash and Modeling Light Output Separately
Press the regulator knob once. Turning the regulator knob now will affect only the ash
power. The modeling lamp will be on continuously and its power can be adjusted by
pressing the UP and DOWN arrows on the panel. In this mode, the modeling icon will
display, but not the “MODEL” word. As you press the UP and DOWN arrows, the value of
the modeling lamp’s power will change in the display.
Modeling Lamp Settings
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH
Display shows
modeling light
and ash
power
controlled
separately.

To Turn the Modeling Lamp Off
Pressing the regulator knob twice will
turn the modeling lamp off. The
modeling lamp icon will disappear.
Turning the regulator knob now will
affect only the ash power.
Pressing the AUDIO button will turn the
audible beeper off and will set the
modeling lamp to turn off automatically
when the ash is red. The modeling
lamp will turn back on when the ash
unit has recycled and is ready to re.
The beeper icon will not display under
this setting.
Pressing the regulator knob a third time
will return you to operating the ash and
modeling lamp power simultaneously.
The modeling light and ash icons will
return, as will the words “MODEL” and
”FLASH.“ The VC-500LR will retain your
settings after you power the unit off.
Both increasing and decreasing the
power settings generates heat inside
the unit. Avoid repetitive power setting
changes and you will extend the life of
the unit, the ash tube, and modeling
lamp.
Modeling Lamp Settings (continued)
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH
Modeling light and ready beeper are OFF.
Modeling light and ash power are
controlled simultaneously.
Audio beep is ON.
MODEL
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH

TEST Button
The simplest way to trigger the ash is to press the TEST button. This is useful when you
need to discharge the power built up in the ash unit, for example just before replacing
the ash tube (more on that later).
Sync Connection
The sync jack on the VC-500LR may be used for direct
connection to a camera set to ‘X’ synchronization. A
radio slave receiver may also be plugged into this socket.
Photocell
The VC-500LR features a photocell which allows the flash
unit to be triggered by another flash or to be triggered by a
second or third flash to allow for anti-red eye preflashes.
The photocell is located behind the red transparent cover
on the top and at the back of the unit. The photocell is very
sensitive but some experimentation with positioning may
be necessary to ensure a reliable trigger, particularly if
the cell is not in the direct line of sight of the triggering
ash unit. Avoid directly illuminating the photocell from a
continuous light source (such as ceiling lights or windows)
since this can prevent correct operation. Very high
ceilings can also affect the operation of the photocell.
Remote
The VC-500LR also comes with a remote for situations
where the monolight must be placed in an inaccessible
area, or when you need to control multiple monolights
simultaneously. Instructions for the remote are covered
later in this manual.
Triggering the Flash
Sync connection
Photocell
Remote

To Set the Photocell
By repeatedly pressing the SLAVE
button you can cycle through choices to
set the photocell to trigger the ash
after one, two or three ashes are
detected. Or you can set the photocell
to OFF.
Photo Cell “1”
If you have selected “1” in the
procedure above, the unit will autoflash
immediately when another flash is
activated in the same area. The “ash
bolt” will show in the display with a
small number “1.”
Photo Cell “2” and “3”
If you have selected “2” in “To Set the
Photocell” above, the unit will autoflash
on the second flash the photocell
detects and will ignore the anti-red eye
flash, also known as the “preflash.”
If you have selected “3” the unit will
autoflash on the third flash detected by
the photocell.
Photocell Settings
The photocell is OFF. No autoflash.
MODEL
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH
Autoflash set for the first flash detected.
1
MODEL
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH
Autoflash set for the second flash detected.
MODEL
FLASH
READY
110V AC
FLASH
22
1
DEL