The Safari Portable Flash Generator

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1 The Safari Portable Flash Generator The Lencarta Safari is a battery powered portable flash generator and dedicated flash heads. The Safari generator is specifically designed to be used where mains power is not available, for example at weddings, events and other outdoor shoots, but it is also at home in the studio. The mains charger can be plugged into a normal power supply while the generator is being used. This will then start to charge the battery whenever the generator is switched off, extending battery life. Please note that the Safari cannot be charged while it is in use. As with all electronic equipment, the generator must be kept dry and must not be exposed to fumes, sand or excessive dust, vibration or shock. The Safari generator is water resistant but is not waterproof and it must be protected from rain and must be placed on a dry surface. Up to two flash heads can be plugged into the generator at any one time. If just one head is fitted, all of the available power is used by that head, and if two heads are fitted the power is divided equally between them. If only one head is needed a second head, pointed away from the subject, can be fitted to halve the power if required. Two types of flash head are available, a standard flash head and a ringflash head. The standard flash head is fitted with a normal spigot mounting bush, which allows it to be fitted to any modern lighting stand, and a handle is also supplied, allowing the head to be hand-held if required.

2 The standard flash head is fitted with a 2A fuse. It has a low wattage modelling lamp, which indicates the effect of the flash. Because the modelling lamps increases the rate of battery discharge, it should be used only when necessary. The standard head accepts all Bowens S-fit accessories, so can be used with all of the accessories suitable for the Lencarta ElitePro flash heads. The modelling lamp can be switched on for approximately 25 seconds by pressing and holding the button on the rear of the standard flash head for approximately 5 seconds. A Ring Flash head is also available, the ring flash can be used with any 35mm, digital SLR or medium format camera fitted with a standard tripod bush and can be used with any lens up to 98mm diameter. The tripod bush allows it to be mounted to a tripod if required, or (with a suitable adapter) to a lighting stand.

3 Generator controls The controls are simple and consist of an on/off switch, a power adjustment dial and a test button. The on off switch should always be in the off position when the generator is not in use, to avoid draining the battery. The switch doubles as a charging switch, so it must be in the off (or charge) position when charging the battery. For safety reasons the battery cannot be recharged when the Safari Generator is in use. However, the charger can be plugged in and connected to the mains. Then, when lighting arrangements are being changed or your model is changing clothes etc, simply switch off the generator to start charging the battery.

4 The power adjustment dial allows the power to be set over a 4 stop range, and as the adjustment is stepless the power can be set to the precise output required. The power is adjustable from Joules with one head fitted and Joules with two heads fitted. The test button simply discharges the flash, and is used to test it, to dump power quickly when required and for use as an open flash. The system is protected by a 15A fuse, simply rotate the fuse holder anti clockwise to release the fuse Flash heads are plugged into either or both of the sockets provided. The sockets are marked A and B With the generator switched off, unscrew the dust cap and screw in the plug for the flash head. It is impossible to fit the flash head socket in the wrong position. The dust cap should always be replaced after use. Once one or both flash heads have been connected, switch the generator on. The Ready and OK lights will come on, followed by the Battery charged light. You will hear an audible flash ready beep when the flash is ready to use. The longest of the lights indicates battery life and is in four sections. If all four sections are lit, the battery is fully charged. The generator can still be used if only one section is lit, but when the indicator starts flashing the battery must be recharged. The OK light is also an overheating warning light. If it starts to flash, switch the generator off and allow it to return to normal operating temperature. Do not use it again until the OK light is constant. In order to preserve battery life, the Safari is not fitted with a cooling fan so the overheat protection is likely to cut in if more than about 200 full power flashes are fired in very quick succession, especially in very warm operating conditions. Firing the flash The generator can be synchronised with the camera by means of a standard synch cable connected to both the camera and the generator or by means of a battery powered radio trigger. Whichever method is used, the synch cable or the radio trigger is plugged into the SYNC socket, situated between the power adjustment dial and flash head socket B. The Safari is not fitted with a slave cell. If you are using more than one Safari generator you may wish to plug a slave cell into the sync socket of your slave generator but slave cells are often unreliable in bright lighting conditions and we recommend that you use radio triggers instead. Charging the battery The battery can be charged in one of two ways, with the battery either fitted or removed. With the battery fitted, simply plug the end of the charger cable into the charger socket (to the right of the indicator lights), turn the on/off switch to CHG and plug the charger into the wall. To remove the battery for external charging, simply slide the battery cover towards the back of the generator and lift out the battery. Place it in the charging transformer. The red charging light will indicate that the battery is charging, and the light will turn green when the battery has reached ¾ of its full power. Charging normally takes 5 hours but the battery should be charged overnight the first time it is used. The battery will reach its maximum capacity when it has been used and recharged 5-6 times. The battery must never be allowed to discharge fully, so it should always be recharged after use and, if the generator has not been used after three months, the battery must be recharged.

5 Do not leave the battery in the generator for excessive periods of time. Once you have finished your shoot the battery should be fully recharged and it should be stored separately, because if it is left inside the generator it will slowly discharge. Spares and repairs There are no user serviceable parts inside the casing and because of this and for safety reasons, faulty units must be returned to us for repair. Spare flash tubes are available, even though they are very unlikely to be needed, and the flash tubes are user-changeable. Specifications: Spare batteries are also available, and can be precharged for use at events etc where very large numbers of shots are likely to be needed. Guide No. 174(ft), Safari 400. Recycling time at minimum and maximum power seconds, increasing to about 5 seconds immediately before the battery is fully discharged. Power adjustment: 4 stops, infinitely variable Full charge indicators: LED, beep Full power flash duration: (t.05) 1/1200 th sec with ringflash, 1/2000 th sec with standard head. Colour temperature: K Triggering options: Standard synch cable, radio trigger Trigger voltage: 5V DC Power source: NIMH rechargeable battery, 24V DC, 3000mah capacity Weight including battery: 4.7Kg Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 26cm. Standard flash head without reflector: diameter 16.5cm, length 12.5cm. Weight 1.5kg Handle for standard flash head, length 12cm. Ring flash: Diameter 18cm, length 10cm, weight 2.2kg We reserve the right to change specifications without prior notice.