Photogenic PowerLight PL2 Series Operator's Manual

Professional monolights

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Operator's Manual

For PL2 Series Professional Monolights

PowerLights

PL1250, PL300DR, PL1250DR, PL2500DR

Radio-Sync PowerLights

PLR300DR, PLR1250DR, PLR2500DR

Solair Constant Color PowerLights

PL500DR, PL1000DR

Solair Radio-Sync Constant Color PowerLights

PLR500DR, PLR1000DR

Voltage Smart PowerLights & Solair PowerLights

PLX1250DR, PLX2500DR, PLRX1250DR, PLRX2500DR,

PLX500DR, PLX1000DR, PLRX500DR, PLRX1000DR

Remote Control Systems

Infrared Manual System, Infrared Computer Controlled System,

Wired Manual System, Wired Computer Controlled System

p/n 999525

v.03/09

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Page 1 Operator’s Manual For PL2 Series Professional Monolights PowerLights PL1250, PL300DR, PL1250DR, PL2500DR Radio-Sync PowerLights PLR300DR, PLR1250DR, PLR2500DR Solair Constant Color PowerLights PL500DR, PL1000DR Solair Radio-Sync Constant Color PowerLights PLR500DR, PLR1000DR Voltage Smart PowerLights & Solair PowerLights PLX1250DR, PLX2500DR, PLRX1250DR, PLRX2500DR, PLX500DR, PLX1000DR, PLRX500DR, PLRX1000DR Remote Control Systems Infrared Manual System, Infrared Computer Controlled System,...
Page 2 PLX and PLRX models will operate on any worldwide voltages and frequencies. Photogenic Remote Control Systems can be used on all PL2 series PowerLights and Solair lights except for the PL1250. Before using your new PowerLight for the first time, please read this manual carefully to acquaint yourself with the controls and features.
Page 3: Safety Precautions
Do not operate the unit with a damaged or broken flashtube or modeling lamp. Do not use flashtubes with broken, cracked or missing glass envelopes. To prevent damage always use Photogenic specified replacements for the flashtubes and modeling lamps. Perform no internal service work on this unit. Refer all out of warranty to a factory authorized service agent or return to factory.
Page 4 When mounting the lights overhead or on a rail system, use the appropriate mounting adapter, or contact the Photogenic repair department to have the mounting adapter mounted on top of the light.
Page 5: Power Input
POWERLIGHT MODEL PL1250 CONTROL PANEL AND BASIC OPERATION Quick Change Levers (Front of Light) Flash Power Control Modeling Lamp WARNING! Power Control O NOT OPERATE LASH WITHOUT GLASS LAMP COVER IN PLACE. 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 ODEL Modeling Lamp Power Switch Controls ANUAL...
Page 6: Ready Light
Flash Power: All settings and controls of the PowerLight 1250 are extremely stable and repeatable due to the use of an internal microcomputer. The PowerLight 1250 is adjustable from 16 watt seconds to 500 watt seconds. LASH 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 ODEL To adjust the PowerLight 1250 to its lowest flash power setting (16 watt seconds), slide the FLASH control knob all the way to the left.
Page 7 POWERLIGHT MODELS PL300DR, PLR300DR, PL1250DR, PLR1250DR, PLX1250DR, PLRX1250DR, PL2500DR, PLR2500DR, PLX2500DR and PLRX2500DR CONTROL PANEL AND BASIC OPERATION Quick Change Levers (Front of Light) Digital Display Flash On/Off LED LASH WARNING! O NOT OPERATE WITHOUT GLASS LAMP COVER WATTS Modeling Lamp On/Off LED IN PLACE.
Page 8: Test Function
Modeling Light: The modeling light has three modes of operation: MANUAL Press the ADJUST button to turn the MODEL yellow LED on. Adjust the modeling lamp intensity using the 1/2 or 1/10 f-stops UP/DOWN arrow buttons. Pressing the MANUAL button a second time will change the mode to flash adjustment and is indicated by the illuminated red LED.
Page 9: Synchronization And Triggering
flash tube or modeling lamp. This is a feature, over which the user has no control. Synchronization and Triggering: Triggering is accomplished by using a sync cord, built-in photoslave, infrared or radio triggering device. Other units in the system are then triggered by photoslave operation.
Page 10: Exposure Information
OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS PL1250, PL1250DR, PLX1250DR, PLR1250DR and PLXR1250DR Flashing Rate: The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts.
Page 11: Specifications
4.5” x 4.5” x 6.75” 4.5” x 4.5” x 8.75” Dimensions PLX1250DR ............Flash Tubes and Modeling Lamps: Flash Tube ............Plug-in style. Use only Photogenic C4-15, C4-15C (color corrected), C4-15F (frosted) and C4-15D (frosted and color corrected) Modeling Lamp ............
Page 12 OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS PL2500DR, PLR2500DR, PLX2500DR and PLXR2500DR Flashing Rate: The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts.
Page 13 4.5” x 4.5” x 8.75” Dimensions PLX2500DR, PLXR2500DR .......... 4.5” x 4.5” x 11” Flash Tubes and Modeling Lamps: Flash Tube ............Plug-in style. Use only Photogenic C4-19, C4-19C (color corrected), C4-19F (frosted) and C4-19D (frosted and color corrected) Modeling Lamp ............
Page 14 SOLAIR POWERLIGHT MODELS PL500DRC, PLR500DRC, PLX500DRC, PLRX500DRC, PL1000DRC, PLR1000DRC, PLX1000DRC and PLRX1000DRC CONTROL PANEL AND BASIC OPERATION Quick Change Levers (Front of Light) Digital Display Flash On/Off LED LASH WARNING! O NOT OPERATE WITHOUT GLASS LAMP COVER WATTS Modeling Lamp On/Off LED IN PLACE.
Page 15 Modeling Light: The modeling light has three modes of operation: MANUAL (press the ADJUST button to turn the MODEL yellow LED on) adjusts the modeling lamp intensity using the 1/2 or 1/10 f-stops UP/DOWN arrow buttons. Pressing the MANUAL button a second time will change the mode to flash adjustment and is indicated by the illuminated red LED.
Page 16 Turn FLASH DUMP off: Turn PowerLight AC power off. With unit power off, press and hold the MANUAL button. While holding the MANUAL button, turn the unit power on and wait until the MANUAL LED blinks. Next release the MANUAL button and the MANUAL LED will go off.
Page 17 Photocell/Photo Slave: The sensor is built-in and can be shut off by plugging in the sync cord. Flash Power Bracketing: Bracketing refers to taking up to three (3) exposures in a sequence with different flash intensities, either additional watt seconds or fewer watt seconds, from the displayed or selected “primary”...
Page 18 OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS Solair® PL500DR, PLR500DR, Voltage Smart™ PLX500DR & PLXR500DR Flashing Rate: The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts.
Page 19 4.5” x 4.5” x 6.75” Dimensions PLX500DR ................4.5” x 4.5” x 9” Flash Tubes and Modeling Lamps: Flash Tube ............... Plug-in style. Use only Photogenic C4-15, C4-15C (color corrected), C4-15F (frosted) and C4-15D (frosted and color corrected). Modeling Lamp ..............
Page 20: Operational Parameters
OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS Solair® Constant-Color PL1000DR & Voltage Smart™ Constant Color PLX1000DR Flashing Rate: The unit recharges quickly, as indicated by the READY light on the control panel. A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time. Continuous rapid flashing, however, can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts.
Page 21 4.5” x 4.5” x 6.75” Dimensions PLX1000DR (housing only) ........4.5” x 4.5” x 8.75” Flash Tubes and Modeling Lamps: Flash Tube ............Plug-in style. Use only Photogenic C4-19, C4-19C (color corrected), C4-19F (frosted) and C4-19D (frosted and color corrected). Modeling Lamp ............
Page 22: Unit Number Assignment
ADVANCED POWERLIGHT FEATURES MODEL PL1250, PL1250DR AND PL2500DR Unit Number Assignment: This feature allows the user to assign a UNIT NUMBER (1 to 9) to each DR type PowerLight in the studio. The UNIT NUMBER is necessary when INFRARED remote control is used (see accessories).
Page 23 ADVANCED PL2 SERIES ACCESSORIES PLDD-1 Digital display for Model 1250 only. The PLDD-1 is a digital display to enhance the resolution and repeatability of the Model 1250’s Flash analog slide-pot control. It displays only Flash power, over the full range of 16 to 500 watt-seconds. Resolution of the PLDD-1 is 0.1 f-stop. The PLDD-1 should be mounted to the umbrella bracket under the housing of the Model 1250 PowerLight, on flexible rotating mount, or on an extension cable, for better viewing.
Page 24 ADVANCED PL2 SERIES ACCESSORIES All PowerLights must have PLDIR-2 infrared receivers and have their unique unit numbers assigned. PowerLights may have identical unit number numbers, if they are to be operated exactly the same, under all studio arrangements. Select a Unit Number on one of the top ten buttons, then control the PowerLight with the lower buttons, observing the PowerLight digital display for the changes.
Page 25 POWERLIGHT QUICK CHANGE ACCESSORIES REFLECTORS: PL7R 7 1/2” Standard high gain reflector. 35 degree coverage. (918945) PL16R 16” Parabolic for portraits, feathering, flood and fill lighting. 60 (916741) degree coverage. PL16BD 16” 2-panel clamp-fit barndoor. (916654) PL16BDK 16” 4-panel barndoor. (916683) PL18R 18”...
Page 26 Quick-Change bracket SERVICE The operator should not attempt to make repairs. Consult a dealer for an authorized Photogenic Professional Lighting service agent. This will provide you safety, insure proper operational functions and provide continuation of your warranty. For replacing the flashtube or modeling lamp, follow the directions and specifications given earlier in this manual in the setup section.
Page 27: General Troubleshooting
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING COMMON PROBLEMS AND CAUSES Unit does not charge. Probable causes: a. Fuse blown. (Unplug and discharge the unit-Replace fuse.) b. No line power to unit. (Check line cord and outlet.) Modeling light does not turn on. Probable causes: a.
Page 28 PL2 series of PowerLights for a period of two years from date of purchase. All warranty repairs must be done by the Photogenic Professional Lighing Factory Repair Department. Send units for warranty repair to the address below Attention: Repair Department.

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