Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I noticed in your specs the old W.L. Ultra 1800 draws 1.5 amps at 125 volts. If the modeling lamp is 250 watts that's about 2 amps at 125 volts which doesn't compute right.

Does the flash circuit need the 1.5 amps and then another 2 amps for the 250 watt modeling lamp for a total of 3.5 amps per head?

The stated 1.5 amps per unit seems low for a 250 watt modeling lamp in a 1800 W.L. Ultra head. We are trying to figure out what size generator to run five 1800 heads "with" 250 watt modeling lights, but our calculation off your 1.5 amp specs (ea.) seems wrong @ 7.5 amps for them all "with" 250 watt modeling lamps in each.

It's a big jump from a 1000 watt generator to a 2000 watt unit (size, weight, and price) so that's why we are asking. We haven't looked at a 1500 watt unit since the dealer didn't have one.

Tia.

Mack

These lights predate me by several years. I will have to check on Tuesday to get the full story.

Thanks. We'll wait on an answer.

We're wondering if there is a large surge that might affect the generator and what size generator will we need to run five W.L. Ulta 1800's with 250 watt modeling lamps, although I guess we could drop down to 150 or maybe even 100 watt bulbs if needed. That and turn the modeling lights switch so they shut off while charging back up.

I think Honda comes in 1000 watt, then a 2000 watt unit, and then either a 3,000 or 3,500 watt unit (but the later one is loud!).

Mack

Don't know where the "1.5A" came from - not correct. Ultra 1800 is rated at 6A current draw. But that's the RMS average current during the recycle period. The actual peak current at the beginning of each recharge cycle is about 18A, then tapers down as it recycles.

The 250W modeling lamp does draw 2A in addition. But if you set the model lamp to go off during recycle, recycle and model current won't occur at the same time.

So if you fire the light each time it recycles, it will draw 6A RMS and 18A peak.

Thanks Paul. Seems the generator specs out at a maximum of 16.7 amps at 120 volts (brushless inverter) for a 2000 watt generator unit.

Can't be one just generator for each W.L. Ultra 1800? Don't seem right.

If the peak is 18 amps for the 1800, them I'm assuming the W.L. Ultra 1200 would be 12 amps and then the W.L. Ultra 600 would be 6 amps for the maximum current?

I'm thinking we should rent one and see if it burns up or blows the breaker in it. Yamaha has a 2800 watt unit (max. 23.3 amps) that weighs in at 66 pounds. If we go to a 3000 watt one person cannot carry it easily to location (150 pounds).

Maybe more VagaBond Mini's are called for and charge them off the lower wattage generator, if the VB Mini charger can be plugged in and ran while using them?

Mack

Wrong assumption about different cureent draw for different models. All our lights except Zeus are in the 18A short term peak/6A average range. They just have different recycle times. An AB400 draws the same 18A peak as Ultra1800, but cycles in 1/2 second.

Most competitive lights are in the same range, except Profoto and a couple of super fast recycle units . . . they draw much more peak current.

Most generators will allow about twice their rated current so a 2000W Honda will probably power two lights.

That's what Vagabond is for . . . you can run several lights from a single Vagabond or Vagabond Mini . . . when you add lights they just lengthen the recycle time. A Mini will run a couple of WL1800s but will take around 10 seconds to recycle both if set to full power.

Mini weighs 3.5lbs and costs $239.95.