first one runs out of juice during a location shoot. In the older version, the photographer would have to stop the shoot and recharge the entire unit, or have a second Travel-Pak on hand, an expensive proposition. The battery’s capacity is 150-200 shots on a 500Ws unit.
For details, read the Bowens UK press release:
Bowens Launches Advanced Travel-Pak ‘Portable Powerhouse’ Option
Bowens have announced the launch of its ‘second generation’ Travelpak, portable battery pack. The new unit, which will be available this autumn, enables location photographers to instantly ‘hot-swap’ a second battery if the first fades before the photo-shoot is complete.
Mark Aherne, Bowens technical director said: “Our original Travelpak product has been phenomenally successful. It has always held a unique position in the marketplace as it enabled all of our Gemini monoblocs to be run on location from a battery system – so photographers could travel with equipment which otherwise would be studio-restricted. Now we’ve improved the original model and we have incorporated a key feature – the ability to ‘hot-swap’ the battery.”
He added: “Up until now the Travelpak battery has been built-in, so when it goes flat the photographer had no option but to plug it into the charger and wait for it to recharge. Our new unit comprises a battery and key electronics which up rate the voltage to charge the capacitors. Now if a battery goes flat the user simply changes it and carries on shooting.”
The new Travelpak at a glance:
Unique adaptor socket enabling easy second battery exchange
Power up to 2 Gemini monolights
Fast and slow recycling button
Batteries can be charged offline
New, attractive styling
Switches and dials recessed into the robust all-metal panel construction
Improved battery level indicator
Redesigned moulded cables
Designed and manufactured in the UK.
Travelpak comes with small or large battery options.
Said Aherne: “This new product, which naturally complements the versatile Bowens Gemini range, affords new freedom to location shooters everywhere. Photographers will achieve between 150-200 shots on a 500 Ws second unit and almost twice that from the larger option.”
