Bowens Gemini 500w/s charger question: So far I've always used the stock 120vac power cords for my old Bowens studio strobes. Lately I came across a Bowens Travelpak that are made to...

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

So far I've always used the stock 120vac power cords for my old Bowens studio strobes. Lately I came across a Bowens Travelpak that are made to fit my strobe.

One bad thing is that there is no charger for it.

Does anyone know if I can use a simple 12vdc battery charger, or directly from a automobile "cigarette" lighter? Or even directly to another 12v battery. That is providing I get the correct plug to fit.

Being I don't want to screw up my strobes, I've not checked anything yet. I don't even know if the charge connection is 12 volts.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

GENorkus wrote:

So far I've always used the stock 120vac power cor... (show quote)

I believe the Bowens Battery Pack is only For the XMT500 Flash Head

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

PixelStan77 wrote:

I believe the Bowens Battery Pack is only For the XMT500 Flash Head

The model numbers match up to use on mine.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

GENorkus wrote:

So far I've always used the stock 120vac power cor... (show quote)

Why not make a call to Bowens? ask someone who knows!!!

BebuLamar

Manglesphoto wrote:

Why not make a call to Bowens? ask someone who knows!!!

They would simply tell you to use the charger that was designed for it which is ideal but I don't think the OP can get one.

BebuLamar

You will need to check a few things.
1. How the charger plug is connected to the battery. Is there any component in between (resistors, diode etc..). Does it disconnect the battery from the rest of the unit when the charger is plugged in?
2. The Ah, voltage rating and the battery type (i.e. lead acid, gel type, NiMH, Li-ion etc..) But my guess is gel type lead acid.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

GENorkus wrote:

So far I've always used the stock 120vac power cor... (show quote)

The Bowens xmt500 strobe contains a lithium ion battery. Are you certain that the travel pack was intended for this unit? From the photos and info available, the travel pack appears to use lead acid batteries. If true, the voltages are NOT the same. Have you used the travel pack with your heads? I would confirm everything with Bowens. You DO NOT want to charge lithium ion batteries with a lead acid battery no matter how it was charged.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Great stuff, I have several monolights myself and bought a couple of sets for my former workplace.

Bowens is no longer in business:
https://petapixel.com/2017/07/20/bowens-yes-dead-chinese-brands-killed-us/

Or is it?
https://petapixel.com/2019/02/20/is-bowens-really-back-yes-and-its-manufactured-by-godox/

"The products are being made to the previous Bowens specifications by the Godox factory. Note that Godox was previously involved with the manufacture of Bowens products prior to the closure, but the Bowens factory was separate to the Godox production line"

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

aphelps wrote:

The Bowens xmt500 strobe contains a lithium ion battery. Are you certain that the travel pack was intended for this unit? From the photos and info available, the travel pack appears to use lead acid batteries. If true, the voltages are NOT the same. Have you used the travel pack with your heads? I would confirm everything with Bowens. You DO NOT want to charge lithium ion batteries with a lead acid battery no matter how it was charged.

My strobes are the old style esprit Gemini GM500 by Bowens. They were made it the analog dials which are NOT the digital type.

The older battery pack is the Travelpak with lead acid battery. Data I've come across doesn't indicate what charge power voltage is used. I might need to do some reverse engineering to end up making a plugin charger unless someone knows for sure what it is.

Again, my problem is that I do not have a charger at this time.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Good news. I finally found a charger unit and it just a simple 12vdc charger.

Thanks for your support everyone!