Photogenic PowerLight 1250 User manual

OPERATOR MANUAL FOR THE
PowerLight 1250
PowerLight 1250DR
PowerLight 2500DR
1250 side display PLDD-1
1250DR/2500DR side display/manual controller PLDC-1
1250DR/2500DR side display/IR receiver PLDIR-1
1250DR/2500DR IR remote control PLIRC-1
INTRODUCTION
The PowerLights have both light unit and power supply self-contained. They have a plug-in professional
flashtube, a 250-watt adjustable quartz modeling light, and bare bulb capability, both vertically and
horizontally. The PowerLights are fitted with Photogenic’s quick-change reflectors and accessories made
by Photogenic.
Before using your new PowerLight for the first time, please read this manual carefully and acquaint
yourself with the controls and features. In this way, you can quickly get the greatest benefit from your new
unit and maintain efficient and safe operation.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Despite the measures that have been taken to make electronic flash equipment safe, it must be recognized
that high voltages and high temperatures do exist within the power supply / lighting unit. Certain
precautions must be observed in handling the unit.
1. Be sure this appliance is turned off, cooled, and unplugged from AC power before removing or
inserting flashtube or modeling lamp. Always use a rag or wear gloves to protect your hand from glass
breakage and heat.
2. Do not defeat the purpose to the three-wire line cord by disconnecting the ground. Connect to properly
functioning and grounded 3-pin receptacles only (including extension cords).
3. Do not insert a screwdriver or other metal objects into the flashtube socket area or vents. Contact with
high voltage may result.
4. Do not operate this appliance with a frayed or damaged line cord. When replacing or using the unit
with an extension cable, be sure the cable has an equivalent or greater rating and is a properly
connected 3-wire grounded cable.
5. Do not attempt to use this appliance if it has been dropped or damaged, until a qualified service person
has serviced it.
6. Do not operate the unit with a damaged or broken flashtube or modeling lamp. Do not use flashtubes
with broken, cracked or missing glass envelopes.
7. Perform no internal service work on this unit. Refer all such service to a qualified service person or
return to the factory.
PREPARATION AND BASICS
Unpacking and Setup
Unpack all units carefully to remove all parts from the carton(s). Do not discard or destroy the packing
material until the equipment has been inspected, assembled, and all parts accounted for.
After unpacking, all parts should be examined for any damage, which may have been caused by rough
handling during shipment. If any damage is detected, contact the delivering carrier at once. Claim for
damage should be made to the delivering carrier before destroying packing cartons.

To set up the unit, first mount it on a suitable stand. The PowerLight stand adapter allows the unit to be
mounted on a stand with a 3/8” to 5/8” post. Be sure to use a stand that is stable and will not tip easily.
The unit is shipped with the modeling lamp and flashtube not installed. While installing the modeling
lamp and flashtube (with glove or rag to protect the hand) be sure they are properly inserted and tight to
avoid arcing and failure of the socket contacts during operation. [Never touch a quartz modeling lamp with
the bare hand. Body salt may shorten the life of the lamp.]
The reflector is attached by the quick-change mechanism. Three tabs on the unit grip the ring on the
reflector. Two of these tabs are controlled by finger levers. To mount the reflector, squeeze the finger
levers towards each other and tilt the reflector past the stationary tab, then past the two tabs that are
controlled with the levers. Release the finger levers and make sure all three tabs are securing the reflector
(see illustration below.)
Illustration from PL1500 p. 2
With power switch OFF, attach the line cord to the power input connector, located on the bottom of the
PowerLight, and connect it to a grounded wall outlet. Turn the power switch ON. The power indicator in
the switch should light. The READY light will light when the unit has charged to the power level set by
the FLASH power control.
CONTROL PANEL AND BASIC OPERATION
Illustration from PL1500 p. 3
Power Input:
The power required to operate the PowerLight 1250 or 1250DR is 105 to 125 volts AC, 60 Hz, 10 Amp.
The power cord has a 125V, 10 Amp. rating. Cords rated for less amperage may overheat.
Circuit Protection:
Circuit protection automatically protects this appliance from excessive damage due to circuit or component
failure. Operation exceeding the rated cycle of the appliance may cause the fuse to open. [Always replace
fuse with same rating of fuse.] An additional thermal protector is located inside the PowerLight and may
open, if the rated duty cycle is exceeded. A cooling off period of 10 to 45 minutes is required to reset the
thermal fuse.
To replace a blown fuse (power cord disconnected), simply unscrew the fuse holder cap (bottom of unit)
and replace the exposed fuse with a new fuse. If fuses continue to blow, contact your dealer or qualified
service person.
Power Switch:
The power switch controls the AC power to both the modeling and flash circuits.
Model 1250
Illustration of 1250 control panel
Flash Power:
All settings and controls of the PowerLight 1250 are extremely stable and repeatable due to the use of an
internal microcomputer.
Slide knob illustration

To adjust the PowerLight 1250 to its lowest flash power setting (16 watt seconds), slide the FLASH control
knob all the way to the left.
To adjust the PowerLight 1250 to its greatest flash power setting (500 watt seconds), slide the FLASH
control knob all the way to the right.
To adjust the PowerLight 1250 to an exact flash power setting, use the accessory digital display.
Ready Light:
The PowerLight 1250 is fully charged when the READY lamp is on. Full power charge (500 ws) time is a
maximum of 1.5 seconds. The unit may be flashed before fully charged.
Modeling Light:
The modeling light has three modes of operation:
1. MANUAL adjustment [press the MANUAL button, LED on] adjusts the modeling lamp intensity with
the MODEL slide control knob. As with flash power, minimum setting is full left and maximum
setting is full right. The MODEL intensity scale corresponds to the FLASH intensity scale, measured
in f-stops.
2. TRACK mode causes the modeling lamp intensity to track the FLASH control knob setting. The
modeling lamp may be set to full intensity at any FLASH control knob position, by simply pressing the
TRACK/SET button a second time, with the FLASH control knob in the desired position. Setting is
retained when user returns from another mode.
3. FULL ON/OFF is exactly what it says. Press the FULL ON/OFF button to turn the modeling lamp
OFF (LED off) or ON (LED on).
All mode settings are retained, even after power has been off.
Model 1250DR and 2500DR
Illustration of 2500DR control panel
Flash Power:
Use the Adjust button to turn on the Flash ws red LED. Adjust the PowerLight 1250DR or 2500DR Flash
power setting using the 1/2 or 1/10 UP/DOWN arrow buttons.
Ready Light:
The PowerLight 2500DR is fully charged when the READY lamp is on. Full power charge (1000 ws) time
is a maximum of 3 seconds. The unit may be flashed before fully charged.
The PowerLight 1250DR is fully charged when the READY lamp is on. Full power charge (500 ws) time
is a maximum of 1.5 seconds. The unit may be flashed before fully charged.
Modeling Light:
The modeling light has three modes of operation:
1. MANUAL [press the ADJUST button to turn the MODEL yellow LED on] adjusts the modeling lamp
intensity using the 1/2 or 1/10 UP/DOWN arrow buttons.
2. TRACK mode causes the modeling lamp intensity to track the FLASH setting. The modeling lamp
may be set to full intensity at any FLASH value, by simply pressing the TRACK/SET button a second

time, with the FLASH already set to desired watt-seconds. Setting is retained when user returns from
another mode.
3. FULL ON/OFF is exactly what it says. Press the FULL ON/OFF button to turn the modeling lamp
OFF (LED off) or ON (LED on).
All mode settings are retained, even after power has been off.
1250, 1250DR and 2500DR
Test:
The TEST button is pressed to fire the flashtube for test purposes.
Flash Indication:
The flash indication feature will dim the modeling light to its lowest setting, then intensify slowly to full
brightness, and then back to its original state. This will occur after each flash, even though the modeling
light may be off. This feature is turned ON (LED on) or OFF (LED off) with the FLASH INDICATION
button.
Automatic Flash Dump:
This feature will automatically flash the unit when the FLASH setting is lowered; otherwise, the internally
stored power is discharged through a resistor, before the unit is READY. Flash Dump is faster. This feature
can be turned on or off, by the user.
Turn FLASH DUMP on: With unit power off, press and hold the FULL ON/OFF button. While holding
the FULL ON/OFF button, turn the unit power on and wait until the FULL ON/OFF LED blinks. Next,
release the FULL ON/OFF button and the FULL ON/OFF LED will go off.
Turn FLASH DUMP off: With unit power off, press and hold the MANUAL button. While holding the
MANUAL button, turn the unit power on and wait until the MANUAL LED blinks. Next, release the
MANUAL button and the MANUAL LED will go off.
Also, each time the AC line power is disconnected or switched off, the flashtube will flash. This removes
most of the flash capacitor charge to prolong the life of the unit and is a much safer condition for storage,
transporting, and replacement of flash tube or modeling lamp. This is a feature, over which the user has no
control.
Synchronization and Triggering:
Triggering is accomplished by using a built-in photoslave or a trigger cable from the power supply to the
camera shutter contacts of ”X” or “zero” delay. Other units in the system are then triggered by photoslave
operation. It is best to connect the fill light directly to the camera since it will be positioned furthest back
in the studio and will usually provide sufficient illumination to trigger the other units. It is suggested that
all walls and ceiling be painted either in white or light neutral colors for most reliable photoslave operation.
After the trigger cord is properly connected, check the synchronization with the camera. Adjust the
lighting unit to same height as the camera lens and face the lights into the lens. The lens aperture should be
open to its fullest extent and set on “X” or “zero” delay. Remove the camera back. It is best to perform
this test with the modeling lamps turned off.
While looking at the lens through the back of the camera, operate the shutter. A few sheets of white paper
in front of the lens will cut down the brilliance of the flash and aid in making the observation. The flash of
the light should then appear as a circle the same size as the aperture. If the circle is flattened on the sides,

or if no light appears through the lens, the shutter is not synchronized. If the shutter appears not to be
synchronized, a reputable camera repair shop should check the shutter contacts.
OPERATION
Flashing Rate:
The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of
flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can
overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts. The maximum recommended rate of flashing
depends on the power level being used and the amount of operation time. Use the following chart to serve
as a guide for the maximum rate to use in your situation.
Power Level
Operating Time
Seconds Between
Flashes
Number of Flashes
Full
Continuous
30 minutes
3 minutes
15
6
4
Continuous
300
45
1/4
Continuous
30 minutes
3 minutes
6
3
2
Continuous
600
90
1/32
Continuous
1.5
Continuous
Exposure Information:
The following charts give the BCPS output for various umbrellas and reflectors. Coverage angle is given
in degrees.
Umbrella
Diameter
28 inch
45 inch
54 inch
Coverage
120
120
130
Full Power
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
5500
2750
1375
688
344
172
5583
2792
1396
698
349
174
5583
2792
1396
698
349
174
Reflector
Diameter
None*
7.5”
14”
16”
20”
24”
Coverage
360
35
40
60
65
145
Full Power
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
2333
1167
583
292
146
73
25000
12500
6250
3125
1562
781
17500
8750
4375
2188
1094
547
23333
11667
5833
2916
1458
729
16333
8167
4083
2042
1021
510
4200
2100
1050
525
262
131
GN @ ASA100
@ Full Power
110
365
305
350
295
150
*Data for no reflector is with unit positioned vertically.
SPECIFICATIONS
General:
Flash Power........................................................................................500 watt-seconds maximum
Flash Duration....................................................................................1/1130 second at Full

1/600 second at 1/32
Recycling time....................................................................................0.2 to 1.5 seconds
Power Control....................................................................................Full to 1/32 range.
0.1 f-stop resolution.
Digital Display Accessory Available.
Modeling Light Power ...................................................................... 250 Watt Quartz, ESS
Modeling Light Control .................................................................... Full to 1/32 range.
0.1 f-stop resolution.
Line voltage regulated.
Triggering ......................................................................................... Built in Photoslave.
Synchronization Jack,
5 volt isolated.
Push to Test button.
Main Supply ....................................................................................... 105-125 VAC, 60 Hz, 15 Amp.
Consumption ....................................................................................... 0.2 amps idling, 15 amps charge.
Voltage Stabilization ........................................................................... Plus or minus 0.05 f-stop.
Overload Protection ..............................................................................Fuse.
Packaging .............................................................................................Extruded Aluminum case.
Weight ................................................................................................. 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
Dimensions ...........................................................................................4.5” x 4.5” x 6.75”
Without tube, lamp, reflector.
Flashtubes and Modeling Lamps:
Flashtube ..............................................................................................Plug-in style, use only
Photogenic C4-5.
Modeling Lamp ....................................................................................250-Watt Quartz Halogen, ESS.
150-Watt Quartz Halogen, ESP.
100-Watt Quartz Halogen, ESR.
Fuse .......................................................................................................3AG type, 16 Amp, SLO-BLO.
COMMON PROBLEMS AND CAUSES
Unit does not charge.
Probable causes:
a. Fuse blown. (Replace fuse.)
b. No line power to unit. (Check line cord and outlet.)
Modeling light does not turn on.
Probable causes:
a. Lamp turned off. (Press FULL ON/OFF button until LED lights.)
b. Lamp burned out. (Inspect and replace, when cool.)
Light flashes by itself without apparent reason.
Probable causes:
a. Defective trigger cord, or trigger cord incorrectly polarized.
b. Bright light falling on photoslave.
c. Poor connection in line cord.
d. Reverse connection on trigger cord connection at camera.
Trigger cord will not flash unit, but charge indicator shows that the system has charged.
Probable causes:
a. Defective trigger cord.
b. Defective flashtube. Turn unit off. Wait until cool, then replace flashtube.

SERVICE
The photographer should not attempt to make repairs himself. Consult a dealer for an authorized
Photogenic Machine Company service agent.
For replacing the flashtube or modeling lamp, follow the directions given in this manual.