Operating instructions Topas A2/A4/A8Evolution www.broncolor.
Operating Instructions broncolor Topas A2/A4/A8 Evolution Before use We are very pleased you have chosen a broncolor Topas A power pack which is a high-quality product in every respect. If used properly, it will render you many years of good service. Please read the information contained in these operating instructions carefully. They contain important details on the use, safety and maintenance of the appliance.
Important safety instructions When using your studio flash equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: 1. Read and understand all instructions before using. 2. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used near children. Do not leave appliance unattended while in use. 3. Care must be taken as burns can occur from touching hot parts. 4.
Attention: Read before starting up the power pack - Prior to replacing fuses, modelling lamps or flash tubes, discharge the power pack and disconnect from power supply. Disconnect the lamp base from the power pack. - These units are designed for use in dry conditions. Protect them from water and from excessive exposure to dust. - The units are not suitable for use in an environment where there is a risk of explosion.
Controls and displays 1. Mains switch 2. Circuit breaker 3. Keys for individual power distribution 4. Photocell on/off 5. IR receiver on/off 6. Modelling light on/off 7. Test key, ready light green 8. Additional functions (aux) 9. Display symmetrical power distribution 10. Buzzer 11. Slow charge 12. Charging dimmer 13. Operating mode modelling light 14. IR receiver cell 15. Digital power display per lamp 16. Photocell 17. Energy control up/down 18. Sync socket 19.
1. Application Topas A We are delighted that you have chosen the high quality product broncolor Topas A. With proper care it will render you many years of good service. This mains (AC-line) supplied studio flash unit is designed for professional photography. For your safety, use a three-wire extension cable when required. 2. Start up 2.1 Mains (AC-line) voltage The power packs Topas A2 and Topas A4 automatically adapt to the respective mains (AC-line) voltage between 240 V and 100 V.
3. Energy control 3.1. Variation of the energy Use the "up/down" keys (17) to control the flash energy (flash intensity) on both lamp outlets (1 and 2), respectively channels, within a range of 5 f-stops. Whole numbers are full f-stop intervals, decimals indicate 1/10 f-stop steps. Brief pressure on the "up/down" keys runs the power up (or down) by a 1/10 f-stop interval, prolonged pressure by a full f-stop. Both energy displays (15) then blink until charging or discharging has stabilized the new level.
3.2.1 Topas A2 on mains (AC-line) 110 V-240 V If the unit is set to individual energy distribution the power is divided between the two lamp base outlets as follows: Lamp outlet 1 = 60%. The control range of the flash energy extends between 1000 J down to 30 J (optional down to 15 J) Lamp outlet 2 = 40%. The control range of the flash energy extends between 600 J down to 20 J (optional down to 10 J) 3.2.
The control range of the flash energy extends per channel: a) when using one lamp base outlet: from 3050 J down to 190 J (optional down to 95 J) b) when using both lamp base outlets: from 1525 J down to 95 J (optional down to 50 J) per lamp base In asymmetrical mode, a maximum of 3050 J can be drawn from each lamp socket respectively channel with Topas A8 Evolution. Consequently Topas A Evolution power packs are in asymmetrical mode compatible with all broncolor lamp bases.
3.2.6 Stabilisation of the colour temperature The power packs Topas A2 and Topas A4 are equipped with a circuit providing an approximate stabilisation of the colour temperature (CTC light). Thus, in symmetrical operation, the colour temperature can be constantly maintained over a range of about 3 f-stops within +/- 150K. 4. Lamp base outlets The two lamp base outlets (19.1 / 19.2) of the Topas A2 / A4 are marked with the numbers 1 and 2. The four lamp base outlets (19.1 / 19.2 / 19.3 / 19.
„P1“ Proportional modelling light with broncolor power packs up to 6400 J (= setting ex works for Topas A8) „P2“ Proportional modelling light with broncolor power packs up to 3200 J (= setting ex works for Topas A4) „P3“ Proportional modelling light with broncolor power packs up to 1600 J (= setting ex works for Topas A2) „P4/5“ If a power pack is operated at a low output level, the halogen modelling light will be, as known, relatively weak and yellowish.
5.3 Modelling light switch on lamp base The switch on the lamp base permits individual lighting control with the modelling light. To avoid damage to the lamp filament, we recommend, always to switch off the modelling light before moving the lamp base. 6. Release and remote control The flash release is enabled when 75% of the selected energy is available. Please note, however, that the ready indicator is activated only at 100% charge (chapter 7).
6.4 RFS Interface The RFS interface of the power packs Topas A in the RFS version can be switched on/off. The procedure is described in chapter 9. 6.5 Remote control channels The remote control can only be used with the power packs Topas A RFS and is effected by radio over the separate channels (studio workstations). The procedure is described in chapter 9. 6.6 Power pack addresses The assignment of addresses by radio to each unit is only possible with the power packs Topas A RFS.
7.2 The audible signal ("buzzer") sounds when the power capacitors are at 100% charge of the set flash energy. It may be switched on or off (chapter 8). 7.3 Audible fault signal When the flash discharge fails, a warning signal of approx. 3s duration will sound and the display (15) of the respective lamp base will blink. 8. Setting additional functions The "aux" key (8) is used to select additional functions.
8.2 Set charging dimmer (dim) The dim function can be switched on or off (on/--) by briefly pressing the “up/down” key (17) of lamp base outlet 2. If the dim function is switched on, the modelling light will extinguish when charging takes place. This feature can be used as a visual flash monitor and to reduce the current load on weak mains (AC-lines). 8.3 Set slow charge (slow) In case of weak mains (AC-line) power supply lines, charging time may be extended to approx. double the standard value.
The LED array will blink “cell”-“ir”-“mod”-“test”-“sym” to indicate that you are in the programming mode. In functions number 0 and 3, pressing the "up"/"down" key of the digital display 1 (15) will toggle through the "prop", "dim" or "slow" green LED display in order to show different parts of a multi-digit display.
10. Protective facilities / Fault indication 10.1 Display "th" If excessively high temperatures build up inside the unit despite the fan cooling effect, the charge mode will be blocked for a certain period of time and a long audible signal will be emitted. During the cool-down period "th" shows on the display of lamp base outlet 2 (15). The display of lamp base outlet 1 shows in "countdown" procedure the remaining duration of the cooling process.
Note: With Topas A8 Evolution the acoustic flash trigger control is only activated, if per channel one of the two lamp base outlets are occupied. 11. Service/repair Your broncolor power pack is a precision device which will work for many years without malfunctions if you take proper care of it. If malfunctions do arise, please do not attempt to open the unit to repair it yourself. Even when the unit is shut off, dangerous voltages may remain within the interior of the device.
Lamp bases use plug-in flash tubes. The Pulso, Primo and Unilite flash tubes 1600 J normally have the UV coating directly on the flash tube. In this case an uncoated protecting glass has to be used. The protecting glasses as well as the flash tubes 1600 J are available in the versions „UVE coated“ (5500 K) as well as uncoated (5900 K). For this reason the lamp bases Pulso, Primo and Unilite can also be fitted with uncoated flash tubes and coated protecting glasses.
13.2 Changing the halogen lamp The halogen lamps are also plug-in or screw-in. Taking the service life into consideration, the halogen lamp should not be handled with bare hands. Exchange of the halogen lamp is practically identical to that of the flash tube. The Pulso G, Unilite, Primo and Picolite lamp base can be operated on the local mains (AC-line) voltage (100-240 V) when a halogen lamp is used which corresponds to the voltage. 13.
14. Technical data Flash energy F-stop at distance of 2m 100 ISO,reflector P70 Flash duration t 0.1 (t 0.5) with 230 V / 120 V Charging time (for 100% of selected energy) Ready display Lamp base outlets Power output distribution Controls Control range of flash energy (Japan: ½ f-stop less) Maximum asymmetry Modelling light Flash release Release control Additional function No.
Technical data (continuation) Flash energy F-stop at distance of 2m 100 ISO, reflector P65 Flash duration t 0.1 (t 0.5) with 230 V Charging time (for 100% of selected energy) Topas A8 Evolution with lamp base Pulso G, Primo, Unilite or Pulso Twin Topas A8 Evolution with Pulso lamp base 8 2 x 3050 J (4 x 1525 J) 128 (Pulso Twin) 6100 J 128 3050J: 1/150s (1/600s) 1525J: 1/300s (1/1200s) 0,5 – 5,2s 6100J: 1/50s (1/230s) 0,5 – 5,2s Release control Additional function No. of sync.
15. Topas A RFS The power packs Topas A are also available as a unit version with integrated 10 channel RFS Interface (Radio Frequency System). Each channel (studio) can control up to 10 units. This interface allows remote control respectively flash release by radio via the transmitter RFS as well as by means of a transceiver RFS via PC or Macintosh computer. When controlling via screen, 4 storage spaces for different lighting situations are at your disposal. 14.
Technical data (continuation) Standards UL 122, EC-standards 73/23, 89/336 und 99/5 ERM EN 300 220-1,-3 EMC EN 301 489-1,-3 EN 60950 EN 50371 FCC Part 15 This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Printed in Germany 07/04 Bron Elektronik AG CH-4123 Allschwil Schweiz (Switzerland) 26
