bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I've been going back and forth between keeping my Paul C Buff studio strobes, and getting vagabond power supplies, or selling them and going with the AD600pro.

Well, being who I am, and knowing that the Buff vagabond Lithium extreme recycles twice as fast, and can handle 2 PCB 1600 white lightnings at once, I found one on ebay. You can find the mini lithiums on there all day long... but the extremes are more rare.

Well, the one I got was C H E A P, because it needs a new battery. I remember seeing them on the Buff site, and knew that even with the cost of a new battery, this was a "DEAL"

Here's where my luck came in. Buff stopped carrying the VLX models AND batteries in January, so basically, I'm going to have to figure out a way to get another similar battery, and modify the case or something, so the power pack and battery can stay as one single, simple to transport and hang on a light stand, thing.

Anyone else out there have a VLX that maybe the battery is good, but the transformer is bad? (I doubt it, the reason I've always used PCBuff equipment is that they build their stuff like tanks.

I guess it will make a nice paperweight.

clickety

Try a ‘Batteries Plus’ store if they’re around you. They have “created” replacements for some not common batteries for me. It’s worth a try.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Well, that's a thought. Thanks, I will give it a try. Not sure, but maybe they can even use the old case to make a new battery? (I don't know much about what is actually inside, other than Lithium batteries can be dangerous to mess with if you don't know what you are doing)

clickety

Please let us know how this ends.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Will do. Probably can't go until next week

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

batteries.com

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Thanks Bill, I will contact them as well. I really do love this community.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

What is the Voltage and Ampere/Hour specifications of the battery and what is the physical size (height width and depth). I have listing of all kidsof batteries for flas equipment. Let me know.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

My thoughts as well, I’d be amazed if they used a custom battery. You’ll probably find them on Amazon.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Unlike ANY batteries I've ever bought, and I am talking a lot. (Medical equipment, Automotive, Remote control airplanes, cars, and drones) These are the only batteries I've ever seen with no identifying marks that tell that stuff. Frankly, I'm surprised it is allowed for shipping reasons. Maybe it was with the original documentation.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I'm guessing that what is called "the battery" is a case that is plastic welded around the actual battery packs. If I can't find what I need, I may carefully (VERY CAREFULLY) try to get the case apart, and remove the battery (or multiple batteries) from the case, and then purchase that (those)

I hate messing with lithium batteries. I'm generally fearless when it comes to repairing my equipment, but I've seen someone drop an exacto knife on a lithium battery. If it gets pierced, it's like 4th of july. That's why I always charge them in a pyrex dish.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I looked up the technical specification for your power supply. The battery specifications are listed as to type dimensions, voltage and energy storage in ampere/hours. The next step is to find a battery provider that can supply this item or can construct a pack that will replace the original. Oftentimes theses packs are fabricated from a number of smaller cells put together in series and/or parallel sub sets to arrive at the voltage and amperage that is required.

If Buff no longer provides the battery as a package, perhas they can direct you to the supplier or fabricator. There are a few companies in my city that advertise that they can create packs for just about any specification. There might be similar services in the U.S. See what you can come up with and let me know- perhaps it can be made up here. Worst cases scenario is that a pack can be made up and hooked up extrinsically.

You can download the entire manual for your Vagabond unit at www.paulbuff.com

8 OVERVIEW / Components and Specs
The Vagabond™ Lithium Extreme (VLX™) Portable Power System provides a
current-limited, pure sine wave power source, optimized for field powering
of 120V studio flash units that are normally AC-powered. The system ar￾rives with the VLXBAT battery, the VLXINV inverter (with light stand mount
attached), and the VLXCHG battery charger.
the VLXBAT Vagabond™ Lithium Extreme Battery
The 25.6V, high capacity lithium iron phosphate
(LiFePO4) battery offers long life and increased
performance. The design includes a convenient
front panel connection for charging using the
supplied rapid battery charger.
Battery Ratings 25.6V, 6.2AH, 158.7 Wh, 20A max. cont. current
Voltage Full Charge: 29VDC, Cutoff: 20VDC
20A DC nominal output
Battery Lifespan 1000 - 1500 charge/discharge cycles
System Weight 6 pounds (excluding charger)
Component Weights 2.2-pound inverter / 3.8-pound battery
System Dimensions 6.5” h x 5” w 7.8” d (with stand clamp)
Inverter Dimensions 2.4” h x 5” w 7.8” d (without clamp)
Battery Dimensions 2.4” h x 5” w 7.5”

BebuLamar

See if you can take the old battery apart. Most likely you can recell it for not much money.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Thanks Ed. I plan to take the battery, and this to Batteries plus. I tried the website, and called them to ask if they had a replacement pack for it already, and they didn't, so they suggested bringing it in. With the info you found, it should be enough to either re-cell this, or maybe just make a pack that I can somehow just connect to the inverter.

The connectors are pretty straightforward, so I'm guessing that won't be an issue, it's just hanging it onto the inverter like the original that may require a work around.

I do love my Buff lights, but every since Paul passed away, they've changed a lot. I did ask for specifics for replacement, they sent a blanket reply that they no longer sell, and unfortunately no longer offer replacement parts for that unit. When I replied, asking if they could direct me to a 3rd party supplier for the batteries, they never replied. Back in the day, they were always ready, willing, and able to help. They also won't even attempt a repair on an older flash that has a bad capacitor. I have several, so I'm keeping it for parts, but they used to at least offer a discount on a new unit if they couldn't repair one of your old ones.

I guess it's "progress" I still like them as a company, and I understand change, but the biggest selling point to me moving from Speedotron to Buff was the service, not necessarily the price.