GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

I just found out the Bowens strobe units have returned under the Bowens/Wex photo/video brand. They come with battery units for them

Although I'd love to get them, I'm already happy with my Bowens Esprit Gemini GM500 units, (2). They are old although the quality build has them still working pretty good.

Since obtaining them, I have been wanting to get a good battery pack for remote use. Looking around seems to end up with a pack that costs more than the strobes did! Yuck!

There are several YouTube videos about making a battery pack using a 12v battery and inverter. The only problem is that those are not mentioned as being useable for my Bowens units.

Does any one know if there is a schematic somewhere to build a good pack for the Bowens Gemini 500?

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

Hi, G!

Sorry I did not respond to your post earlier. I am a commercial photographer but for a number of years, in the past, I also operated an electronic flash service business. I did not want to advise you immediately because I am not familiar with the exact specifications of the internal circuitry of your Bowens units. I did a bit of research and was unable to find a service schematic diagram, however, I was able to access, online, a basic user manual.

Without knowing the exact nature of the flash unit's internal circuitry and the same for the original battery back, my advice is to stick with the original equipment. Here's why:

I noticed there is a switch on the flash unit to select AC or DC operation This indicates to me that some of the required conversion circuitry is in the flash unit itself. I don't know if the battery pack just contains a battery or other necessary protective circuitry.

Simple buying or making an inverter and plugging the AC cord into it might work but there could be incompatibilities. I am not sure but there could be sine wave problems that could harm the unit.

If the Youtube tutorial does no specify a known homemade version of the battery pack, just making one at random may not work properly.

If there is anyone on this site that has successfully and safely operated this unit on a standard inverter, perhaps the will chime in.

I have serviced older Bowens modes and I am still using a few of them in my studio but these date back to the 1980s in manufacture. They have always made reliable equipment and it is worthwhile maintaining yours.

If it is simply a matter if a straightforward battery pack without special circuitry, there are many reasonable priced batteries that can be obtained. The information required will be the voltage and ampere/hour specifications. There might be a fuse in the pack? Polarity, of course, is important and obtaining a proper cable and plug. An external charger can be utilized or a charging circuit built into the pack.

If I can come up with a service diagram, I will let you know.

Ed

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Thank you Ed.

Mine are likely to be the older type since they both have a dial to raise and lower the flash output instead of the "formerly new" digital adjustment.

Until I have reasonably good information to go by, I'm not in favor of testing them on a straight battery and inverter unit. Like you said, it might work but one never knows.

Right now one strobe works fine. The 2nd unit works fine except for the modeling light rotary dial. It's either on or off. No variable light like the 1st unit.

Like I said, everything else including the wireless remotes all work fine. It's just that I'd like to be able to use them out in a field or somewhere I couldn't reach ac electricity.

Speaking of electricity, for very important shoots in the past, I've always used my 20 amp inverter generator.

That works great but really takes up space and time for me to setup and disassemble. (One thing for sure, people are very impressed with all the "offical" looking equipment.) LoL

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

If you or I can find out if the original power packs simply uses a 12 Volt battery, I havehad excellent service from Gel-Cells, those are sealed lead-acid batteries. I attached a shot of two that I just replaced in my Lumadyne portables. At an average price of $40. they lasted 5 years in constant use and were still operational at the end but the were not holding as much of a charge. The Nicds replacements from the original manufacturers would have cost over $300 per unit. Theses Gel-Cell are normally used in those emergency lights in hallways and stairwells that come on and can reami on trickle charge if required and are always ready for use.