Lucablitz

Gautier Paris · Dec 12, 2017

Hello,

I just recovered (following death) a whole set of studio lighting, namely:
- 1 GSP2400 LucaBlitz generator
- 3 torches qn1800 LucaBlitz with their bowls

After a big cleaning, and a test with fire extinguisher, everything works.

The power cables are to be changed.

I just have a big problem, I do not have the docs, the brand does not exist anymore. So, I do not have the characteristics of power, characteristics of the bulbs.

Do you have memories, ideas from where I could find information on this stuff.

thanks in advance
See you soon

Gautier

AgX · Dec 12, 2017

Welcome!

I got some literature on flashes, but I never came across this brand. Maybe it is something rebranded. The name is german.

Gautier Paris · Dec 12, 2017

AgX said:
Welcome!

I got some literature on flashes, but I never came across this brand. Maybe it is something rebranded. The name is german.

the French brand would be SAEFAP

AgX · Dec 12, 2017

Interesting. But I cannot even find that manufacturer at Photokina catalogs.
Did they restrict themselves to France?

Gautier Paris · Dec 12, 2017

It's a problem, I don't know.

AgX · Dec 12, 2017

Back to the flash system itself: would it not be sufficient to just meter the output with a flashmeter at the different settings to find out about the generator and the heads characteristics?

M Carter · Dec 13, 2017

AgX said:
Back to the flash system itself: would it not be sufficient to just meter the output with a flashmeter at the different settings to find out about the generator and the heads characteristics?

There's that, but also things like swapping heads or switching output levels - what can be done powered up and what needs to be powered down? So a manual is a good idea; that may be some really old stuff for all I know though.

I'd goggle up strobe repair companies, guys that repair Speedotron and Norman, send them pics and ask if there's any safety-related service or tips they recommend. Good chance you'll find an old-timer who's worked on those.

AgX · Dec 13, 2017

M Carter said:
There's that, but also things like swapping heads or switching output levels - what can be done powered up and what needs to be powered down? So a manual is a good idea; that may be some really old stuff for all I know though.

But these things one should be able to find out with a lightmeter.

I would be more worried about electrical safety. I know from experience what can hide under the cover of electrical appliances bought from electronic tinkeres. With a flash unit from a professional photographer bad surprises would be less likely though.

Gautier Paris · Dec 14, 2017

Hello

Thank you for your help.
I will do test with my flashmeter (I must buy à new battery)
And, I try to find a strobe repair companies to have technical data.

Thanks for all

John Koehrer · Dec 14, 2017

This one's a guess but the GSP2400 suggests it's 2400WS which is the power delivered to the lights
but tells you nothing about exposure.
The flash meter's going to give you that information.
Going back in time. I worked at a company that rented Speedotron systems. The older units had to be turned off
and capacitors dumped before you would change power leads to the flash heads and from people that used them
unplug the leads USING ONLY ONE HAND. using both would allow current to pass through your body if there
was something wrong.
Even if these have been stored for years, check the caps voltage before you do anything else. They may still have a
volt or two hidden away. All it takes is once!

MattKing · Dec 14, 2017

Does this eBay listing provide any useful clues: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/LUCABLITZ-5...820742?hash=item2ef939f546:g:dzQAAOSwo4pYIFpS ?

AgX · Dec 15, 2017

That is as portable flash. The OP has a studio set.
The shown manual only confirms, what we already assumed, that the type designation hints at the maximum generator power of 2400 Wsec.

(That portable one though has a unique, volume-saving design unknown to me. Thank you nevertheless for hinting at it.)

MattKing · Dec 15, 2017

AgX said:
That is as portable flash. The OP has a studio set.

I know. There is additional information in the listing though, which might provide clues for his "detective" work as he searches out sources of even more additional information.

E. von Hoegh · Dec 16, 2017

AgX said:
But these things one should be able to find out with a lightmeter.

I would be more worried about electrical safety. I know from experience what can hide under the cover of electrical appliances bought from electronic tinkeres. With a flash unit from a professional photographer bad surprises would be less likely though.

What AgX said.
But, be careful. Lacking better information do all changes power-down, and please for your own sake check with an electronics expert to see if the capacitors have bleeder resistors, and how long it will take for them to discharge to a safe level; also if they (capacitors) have high leakage current.. The storage capacitors are FORMIDABLY powerful and will easily transport you to the promised land, no joking here at all.

paul ron · Jan 18, 2018

E. von Hoegh said:
What AgX said.
But, be careful. Lacking better information do all changes power-down, and please for your own sake check with an electronics expert to see if the capacitors have bleeder resistors, and how long it will take for them to discharge to a safe level; also if they (capacitors) have high leakage current.. The storage capacitors are FORMIDABLY powerful and will easily transport you to the promised land, no joking here at all.

YES, ABSOLUTELY! Listen to these fellas.
those caps can kill if they arent tamed properly.
Dont open the box unless you know what you are doing.
Sounds easy to rewire it, but a wrong move and zap... lights out for ya.
I had a big Balcar, changing heads we always powered down first.

Even though the brand doesnt exist anymore... if you search hard enough and post on these photo sites, some old timer will have the docs you need. Just takes time.

A flash meter should give you an idea what the outputs are. AS far as bulbs n waht not.. well back to searching for more info.

good luck.

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