Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi there,

I have a CSR+ that I was planning to use as a remote on an AB800 and a Zeus 2500. I'm having a recurring problem with using the CSR+ at a particular location.

The problem is that when the flash units power is reduced they begin to fire repeatedly until they are turned off. When the CSR+ is replaced with a CSRB+ the problem goes away. This remote also works attached to my Vagabond II just fine, along with at most other locations.

I assume the problem is in the 120VAC wiring at this location? It's a little bit of a headache though, and I wonder if I'd be better off replacing my CSR+ with another CSRB+?

Thanks, Greg

P.S. I know that this was answered here before but I tried searching for it and couldn't find it...

First a question: Are you using a CyberCommander with this set up, or do you just have a CSRB+ and trigger from a CST? Ancillary question, which cord(s) are you connecting the reciever to teh pack with?

Most likely it is going to be in the AC system, but a little more info would still help.

Yes, a Cyber Commander to set power and a CST on the camera. The receivers are hooked up with the phone cords.

Did you use the same phone cord with both recievers, or did you replace both? Was there a CSRB+ on and set to the same CH/FREQ as the CSR+, but not connected to a light? Are any receivers set to repeater mode?

Different phone cords (the one one the CSR+ is gaffer taped to the power cord to keep it out of the way). When I hooked up the CSRB + I changed it to the same channel and freq. as the CSR+ that it replaced.

No, the CSRB+s in my bag were all off when I had the strobing problem and non of the receivers were in repeater mode.

Could also be a phone cord issue. Try again using the CSRB+'s phone cord on the CSR+.

I'll try it. The gear is all put away and I don't have another shoot 'till the weekend.

I'll have to reproduce the problem before I can swap the phone cord to check. The problem is it works fine except when it's been plugged in to different plugs at one location (not my place).

Don't you think it's odd that if it's the RJ-11 it only happens at this one location? The same setup has been working fine elsewhere and when it's plugged into the Vagabond II?

if this was the last shoot, it could be a newly developed issue with the cord. However, it is likely the location. Even if it was properly grounded, there are any number of things that can introduce noise on the line and cause wankyness.

I guess that's kinda my point. I think I might be better to just use CSRB+s for everything if they are going to be more reliable.

Alright, I've unpacked everything and have ruled out the cord... I'm plugged in to a known power source and I have the same problem.

Ergh. Anything less than about -4.5 EV and the Zeus ends up in a endless flash, recycle, flash and so on. Doesn't happen at all on the Vagabond.

Ideas?