INSTRUCTIONS 1 Introduction
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2.4 GHz 80-Channel Transceiver 2.4GHz PS16-Mini-R / T PowerSync Mini Digital Radio Slave INSTRUCTIONS 1 Introduction Thank you for choosing Impact. Impact’s PowerSync Mini is a sixteen-channel radio slave system that’s a reliable, professional-grade solution to remotely trigger portable on-camera flashes and studio monolights. Add additional receivers, and the PowerSync Mini system will control multi-light setups and allow you to trigger as many flash units as your setup requires. The PowerSync Mini system features 16 user-selectable channels that allow you to work in the most demanding conditions, without fear of interference from other photographers or radio slave systems in the area. The 2.4 GHz radio signal lets you control your flashes without line-of-sight, and it offers an exceptional operating range of 328 ft. (100 m) as well as a maximum sync speed of 1/200 sec. The receiver is equipped with a multi-use hot shoe that’s compatible with most on-camera flash units. Connecting the receiver to a camera with a compatible release cable (not included) makes it possible to trigger a single- or multi-camera setup by using the transmitter as a handheld remote. 2 Precautions • Please read and follow these instructions, and keep this manual in a safe place. • Keep this unit away from water and any flammable gases or liquids. • Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the equipment—doing so will void the warranty, and Impact will not be responsible for any damage. • The Impact PowerSync is an accessory device for flash photography. Do not use this product in a manner not specified within this documentation. • Use only the batteries recommended by this manual. • Install fresh batteries into the PowerSync System. Make sure to align batteries with proper polarity. Weak batteries will shorten the distance of transmission and reception. • Turn your equipment off before changing batteries. • Remove all power sources from the unit before long-term storage to prevent the product from igniting or leaking corrosive liquids. • All images are for illustrative purposes only. 3 Overview PS16-Mini-R Receiver 1 3.5 mm flash sync output 1 7 8 2 Channel selector 9 2 3 Hot shoe 4 Power switch 10 5 3 LED indicator 4 6 USB port 7 Lanyard hole 8 Battery compartment 5 9 Battery compartment 6 lock 10 1/4-20 socket 4 Overview PS16-Mini-T Transmitter 11 Locking wheel 12 Channel selector 13 LED indicator 13 14 Test button 12 14 11 15 Mounting foot 16 Battery door release 17 Power switch 15 16 17 5 Overview PS16-Mini Accessories 18 1/4 in. adapter 19 3.5 mm flash sync connector 20 Cradle with adhesive strips 21 Flash sync cable 22 Lanyard with pin tool 18 19 22 20 21 6 Overview Installing the Batteries Receiver 1. Remove the receiver from its cradle. 2. Press the battery compartment lock and open the battery compartment door. 3. Place two AA batteries into the battery compartment, with the orientation shown in the diagrams inside the compartment. 4. Close the battery compartment door until it locks shut. Transmitter 1. Use the tip of a pen or the included lanyard pin tool to press the battery door release, and open the battery compartment door. 2. Place a CR2450 battery into the battery compartment with the orientation shown in the diagram inside the compartment. 3. Close the battery compartment door until it locks. 7 Synchronizing Channels For the PowerSync system to work properly, the transmitter and receiver must be set to the same channel. The lanyard features a pin tool for changing the DIP switches. To set the channel, follow these steps: 1. Make sure both units are turned off. 2. Use the diagram below to set the DIP switches on the transmitter and receiver to the same configuration. Channel 3. Turn on the transmitter and receiver. 4. To test the setup, press the test button on the transmitter. The receiver’s LED indicator will flash to indicate correct synchronization. Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6 Channel 7 Channel 8 Channel 9 Channel 10 Channel 11 Channel 12 Channel 13 Channel 14 Channel 15 Channel 16 The PowerSync Mini is backward compatible with the PowerSync 16 and PowerSync 16-80 systems (see Backward Compatibility below.) 8 Synchronizing Channels Setting Up the Transmitter 1. Slide the transmitter into your camera’s hot shoe. 2. The test button should be at the back, on the same side as the viewfinder. 3. Then tighten the locking wheel until secure. 9 Setting Up the Receiver With a Portable Flash Unit Slide the flash directly onto the receiver’s hot shoe. Remove the cradle to expose the 1/4-20 socket. You can now mount your flash directly onto a tripod, light stand, or mounting arm with a 1/4-20 screw. With a Monolight Use the flash sync cord to connect the receiver directly to the monolight’s sync socket. If the monolight has a 1/4 in. sync socket, use the included 1/4 in. adapter on one end of the sync cable. 10 Setting Up the Receiver Mounting the Receiver to a Monolight With a Portable Flash Unit There are several ways to mount the receiver to a studio flash. Here are two common methods: • Attach the lanyard to the receiver via the lanyard hole, and hang the receiver on the light stand where your studio flash is mounted. • With the receiver in the cradle, remove the backing to expose the adhesive strips. Press the cradle onto your light’s chassis. The PowerSync’s effective range depends on the orientation and position of the transmitter and receiver. Reception can be affected by large metal or concrete objects and by bodies of water. Moving one or both devices a few feet is often enough to With a Monolight solve many reception problems. 11 Triggering a Remote Camera You can user your PowerSync Mini to trigger a remote camera. The camera must have an electronic shutter release connection, and you must have a compatible camera release cable (sold separately). 1. Connect the receiver to the electronic shutter release connection on your camera, using a compatible shutter release cable. 2. Make certain that the receiver and transmitter are set to the same channel and are powered up. 3. Half-press the test button to wake the camera or activate autofocus. Fully press the test button to trigger the camera. 12 Triggering a Remote Camera Bulb Mode 1. Set your camera to bulb mode. 2. Half-press the test button to wake the camera or activate autofocus. 3. Fully press the test button to focus and open the camera’s shutter. 4. Release the test button to close the shutter and end the exposure. Bulb Lock Bulb lock lets you trigger the camera and leave the shutter open indefinitely without holding the test button. 1. Set your camera to bulb mode. 2. Press and hold the test button for three seconds to lock the shutter open. Releasing the test button will not close the shutter. 3. Press the test button again to close the shutter and end the exposure. 13 Backward Compatibility The PowerSync Mini is backward compatible with Impact’s PowerSync 16 and PowerSync 16-80 systems. See the Backward Compatibility table for channel configurations. PowerSync Mini Transmitter to PowerSync 16-80 Receiver The PowerSync Mini transmitter can be used to trigger the PowerSync 16-80. Set the PowerSync 16-80 to Receiver (Rx) or Transmitter/Receiver (Tx/Rx) mode, and use the M button to accept a signal from the PowerSync Mini transmitter. Make sure both devices are set to the same channel. PowerSync Mini Transmitter to PowerSync 16 Receiver The PowerSync Mini will automatically trigger the PowerSync 16 AC or DC receiver as long as both devices are set to the same channel. PowerSync 16-80 Transmitter to PowerSync Mini Receiver The PowerSync 16-80 can be used to trigger the PowerSync Mini receiver. Set the PowerSync 16-80 to transmitter (Tx) or Transmitter/Receiver (Tx/Rx) mode, using the M button to send a signal. Make sure both devices are set to the same channel. For channel selection, the PowerSync Mini and PowerSync 16 systems rely on manual channel selection DIP switches. Use 14 Backward Compatibility the PowerSync 16-80’s digital interface to set the corresponding channels. Backward Compatibility Mini Mini Important! The PowerSync 16-80 will work with the PowerSync 16 system only if No Group is selected on the PowerSync 16-80. 15 Accessories Your PowerSync Mini system is compatible with a wide variety of flash units right out of the box, but you may need an accessory sync cable for some flash units. Below are the plug ends commonly in use and the equipment they typically connect. Verify the plug compatible with your equipment. 1/8 in. (3.5 mm) 2.5 mm Miniphoned Sub-Miniphone Fits a wide variety This plug is typically of flashes. used only on slave systems 1/4 in. Phono Plug Fits most Bowens, Dynalite (new), Monolite, Profoto, Speedotron, etc. Household Hot Shoe 2-Blade Plug Fits most Most professional flashes cameras with dual-blade receptacles, featuring a hot such as Lumedyne, Norman, shoe with a large Speedotron, and Dynalite (old) center contact Visit www.impactstudiolighting.com for a complete list of plugs and cable lengths available. 16 Accessories Troubleshooting If the Transmitter and Receiver are not communicating with each other, try these common solutions. • If it’s a DC receiver, turn the receiver off, and verify that the batteries’ polarity is correct.