"Doubling up" a strobe PS?

RJ*

Member
May 21, 2010
346
Finland
I have two old strobe power supplies. They are, I think, from the mid or late 80s - VAMA units, from before FedSig acqured VAMA. One is a 2-outlet and the other is a 4-outlet. They both work just fine, double flashing, but the flash pattern is very slow.


A technical question: would it be possible to connect both outlets to the same strobe light, to get a faster pattern? The output alternates between the two outlets, doesn't it? And I'm guessing all wires wouldn't even need to connect - one ground would be sufficient for the strobe light?


If this works, then by extension the 4-outlet could become a 2-outlet with a faster pattern? Or am I just going to cause a mushroom cloud if I try this?


Hopefully my explanation makes sense.
 

Newberry13

Member
May 21, 2010
613
SC, USA
I've worked on an ambulance that had the center clear strobe setup this way. All you have to do is run the trigger wire to the lighthead from the second outlet.
 

Newberry13

Member
May 21, 2010
613
SC, USA
Usually the white wire is the trigger.
 

RJ*

Member
May 21, 2010
346
Finland
Usually, yes... but there is nothing usual about this PS. It has a single 8-pin connector for everything (power, ground and two strobe heads it seems) and none of the wires are white. But I think I have it figured out now.
 

Newberry13

Member
May 21, 2010
613
SC, USA
You should be able to call up VAMA, give them the model number, and they should be able to tell you what wire does what. That is a very odd setup though.
 

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