Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Were your model lamps on? Also, are you able to recharge the unit and use the flashes? If the unit is not currently working, do you have any of the battery gauge lights? Do you have a green light next to the USB port?

I made sure the model lamps were off. I did not try to recharge while using them because I was at the end of my shoot, and they went off at just the right time. Silver lining, anyone? :D

I fully charged it again this afternoon and all 3 battery indicator lights are on, as well as the green light by the USB port.

Do you get power from the AC outlets now that it is recharged?

Yes, I do. Just plugged in a small table fan, and it runs just fine. Don't want to do that for long, though.

Did you plug it in and let it charge, or did you plug it in and look at an LED status? If the latter, which LED did you reference?

Also, is it possible the VML got too hot and overheated? This is typically indicated by a fan that continues to run, no AC output, and a yellow LED by the USB.

I won't say it is impossible for such a low capacity to be in the battery, however, that is atypical of failed batteries. Also, we would need to repeat the same test to really be able to tell if there was a fluke or mistake made the first time around.

1: I plugged it in, power off, and waited until the red light on the charger turned green to know it was fully charged.

2: By the time I was done, the VML was warm to the touch, but based on the ambient temp of around 73 when I was shooting, I would say the chances of it overheating are slim. The fan was running, as it usually does. I was just shocked that my indicator light was on half power only after about 30 to 50 shots at such low output.

I really don't have the time to set up both lights, and trigger them to see if the same thing happens, but I guess I have to, to see if this was some fluke occurrence or a problem with the battery.

Thanks for all the replies. The CS is stellar, as always.

An absolute test would be to identically repeat the process. However, battery life can be judged by running a 100W lamp and see how long it lasts. A healthy battery would last about an hour. That would at least rule that out.

Additionally, we have been informed by the battery cell manufacturer that this type of battery will have a useful life of about 2-3 years, regardless of storage. While this is a possibility, I would still recommend testing the battery again to verify its capacity to hold a charge before purchasing a new battery.

Would this be the "officially" recommended discharge procedure for doing the recommended "fully cycle the battery every 2-3 months": discharge using a 100W lamp and then recharge to 50% for storage or 100% for use?

Also, what's the best recommended way to "charge to 50%", seeing as the charger only gives indication of 100% charge?