Lowel iLight at DVinfo.net

Nicholas Valentine · April 13th, 2007, 04:04 PM

Hey everyone, I just bought two Lowel iLights over the internet and realized my XL2s have only 3 pin XLR jacks and the iLight has a 4 pin. Is there an adapter I can purchase so I don't have to find new lights? I can't seem to find any.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Gary Moses · April 13th, 2007, 04:27 PM

I hope you won't try to plug your lights into the audio inputs.
Gary

Seth Bloombaum · April 13th, 2007, 04:47 PM

Not super familiar with the XL2, but you'll probably need a separate battery system for your iLights. Check out Bescor products at forum sponsors. As Gary has hinted, the 3-pin XLR connectors on your camera are audio inputs for external microphones and other sources.

Nicholas Valentine · April 13th, 2007, 06:49 PM

Yeah I realized that the XLR ports are for audio only. I'll just have to get batteries for them. Thanks.

Marcus Marchesseault · April 14th, 2007, 06:09 AM

Those iLights are notorious for picking up wind noise if you don't use a zeppelin.

;)

Gary Moses · April 14th, 2007, 06:30 AM

Nicholas, I have 2 of the I lights as well as 6 of the Pro lights. The 100 watt I Light will need 8.3amps dc. I have always used 7 amp/hour gel batterys that are made for emergency lighting. They are heavy and last about 1/2hour to 45 minutes continous.
Not pleasant but that's the only choice you have. As you can tell, you cannot run this light off the camera battery, if that's what you were thinking.
Gary

Paul Mailath · April 14th, 2007, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Marchesseault

Those iLights are notorious for picking up wind noise if you don't use a zeppelin.

;)

now THAT was funny!!!!

Nicholas Valentine · April 18th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Was wondering if anyone can suggest a inexpensive battery pack for the iLight? I have to buy two and that's why I can't spend too much (limited budget).

Larry Vaughn · April 18th, 2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas Valentine

Was wondering if anyone can suggest a inexpensive battery pack for the iLight? I have to buy two and that's why I can't spend too much (limited budget).

What about the batterys in uninteruptable power supplies for computers and so on? They come in different sizes and don't cost too much via ebay.

Marcus Marchesseault · April 19th, 2007, 09:11 AM

The 7AH gel cell batteries are really cheap. If you ever do get a budget, there is a 12v 10AH NiMH pack for $110 at batteryspace.com that weighs two pounds less and can handle the draw better than a lead battery.

Charles Hurley · April 20th, 2007, 02:11 AM

Check out the bescor stuff. You can get 18 and 20Ah packs or belts with chargers and dual outputs for under 200 all day. I was surprised by how reasonably priced they were.

Douglas Toltzman · April 24th, 2007, 08:21 PM

I use a 15Ah motocycle battery with my iLight. The battery has to remain upright to avoid leaking sulphuric acid. I put the battery in an insulated lunch bag I got at a second hand store for $1.50. I don't use it often, so I don't mind toting around the battery in my lunchbag. It operates the 100W bulb for over an hour. The best "feature" of the motorcycle battery is that it cost about $25 for the battery. It's not an ideal setup, but for a light I use 5 times a year, it works.

I also use the 12V battery to power a small inverter that charges some of my other batteries or powers my camera in the field. With an 18W solar panel feeding the 12V battery, I can work outside all day (when there is sun) without ever draining my batteries. That may be the only good thing about shooting in broad daylight.

Nicholas Valentine · April 25th, 2007, 12:02 PM

Thanks for everyone's advice. I just ordered a Bescor BEBES015XLR
with a Shoulder Pack, Lead-Acid Battery 12v, 14.4 amp hours - Cigarette and 4-Pin XLR Connectors, with BC-1000 Charger REG

If this works out, I'll be buying the second one by the end of the week.

Thanks again everyone. You've been VERY helpful.

April 13th, 2007, 04:04 PM	#1
Nicholas Valentine Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northwestern/Central, PA Posts: 62	Lowel iLight Hey everyone, I just bought two Lowel iLights over the internet and realized my XL2s have only 3 pin XLR jacks and the iLight has a 4 pin. Is there an adapter I can purchase so I don't have to find new lights? I can't seem to find any. Thanks in advance for all your help.

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April 13th, 2007, 04:27 PM	#2
Gary Moses Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	I hope you won't try to plug your lights into the audio inputs. Gary

April 13th, 2007, 04:47 PM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Not super familiar with the XL2, but you'll probably need a separate battery system for your iLights. Check out Bescor products at forum sponsors. As Gary has hinted, the 3-pin XLR connectors on your camera are audio inputs for external microphones and other sources.

April 13th, 2007, 06:49 PM	#4
Nicholas Valentine Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northwestern/Central, PA Posts: 62	Yeah I realized that the XLR ports are for audio only. I'll just have to get batteries for them. Thanks.

April 14th, 2007, 06:09 AM	#5
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Those iLights are notorious for picking up wind noise if you don't use a zeppelin. ;)

April 14th, 2007, 06:30 AM	#6
Gary Moses Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	Nicholas, I have 2 of the I lights as well as 6 of the Pro lights. The 100 watt I Light will need 8.3amps dc. I have always used 7 amp/hour gel batterys that are made for emergency lighting. They are heavy and last about 1/2hour to 45 minutes continous. Not pleasant but that's the only choice you have. As you can tell, you cannot run this light off the camera battery, if that's what you were thinking. Gary

April 18th, 2007, 06:05 PM	#8
Nicholas Valentine Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northwestern/Central, PA Posts: 62	Was wondering if anyone can suggest a inexpensive battery pack for the iLight? I have to buy two and that's why I can't spend too much (limited budget).

April 19th, 2007, 09:11 AM	#10
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	The 7AH gel cell batteries are really cheap. If you ever do get a budget, there is a 12v 10AH NiMH pack for $110 at batteryspace.com that weighs two pounds less and can handle the draw better than a lead battery.

April 20th, 2007, 02:11 AM	#11
Charles Hurley Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 128	Check out the bescor stuff. You can get 18 and 20Ah packs or belts with chargers and dual outputs for under 200 all day. I was surprised by how reasonably priced they were.

April 24th, 2007, 08:21 PM	#12
Douglas Toltzman New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hubert, North Carolina Posts: 16	I use a 15Ah motocycle battery with my iLight. The battery has to remain upright to avoid leaking sulphuric acid. I put the battery in an insulated lunch bag I got at a second hand store for $1.50. I don't use it often, so I don't mind toting around the battery in my lunchbag. It operates the 100W bulb for over an hour. The best "feature" of the motorcycle battery is that it cost about $25 for the battery. It's not an ideal setup, but for a light I use 5 times a year, it works. I also use the 12V battery to power a small inverter that charges some of my other batteries or powers my camera in the field. With an 18W solar panel feeding the 12V battery, I can work outside all day (when there is sun) without ever draining my batteries. That may be the only good thing about shooting in broad daylight.

April 25th, 2007, 12:02 PM	#13
Nicholas Valentine Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northwestern/Central, PA Posts: 62	Thanks for everyone's advice. I just ordered a Bescor BEBES015XLR with a Shoulder Pack, Lead-Acid Battery 12v, 14.4 amp hours - Cigarette and 4-Pin XLR Connectors, with BC-1000 Charger REG If this works out, I'll be buying the second one by the end of the week. Thanks again everyone. You've been VERY helpful.