coollights flo mounting issues / solutions

J Davis

J Davis

Veteran
I've got the dimable portable flo from coollights.biz and the ball and socket just doesn't hold the light steady anymore

CL255PMDBackBlueCm.jpg


I thought about buying a replacement lollipop/ball section but I would like a more permanent solution.
I examined kinos on the floor at B&H and asked the sales staf if the kino mounting plates could be ordered but
sadly no. They did suggest using a $12 avenger wall plate on to the back of the light and a grip head to hold it to a
c-stand or boom arm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/67894-REG/Avenger_F805_F805_Baby_Wall_Plate.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3582-REG/Avenger_D200B_Black_Grip_Head.html

67894.jpg
3582.jpg


Does anyone else have any solutions?

Or has anyone removed the existing mount (do nuts fall inside the unit)?
I'm thinking of taking mine apart and attaching the avenger wall plate
 
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Jhoe,

Your email server consistently rejects our emails so there is no way to reply to your emails. Please contact by phone tomorrow if necessary. If your lollipop ball is worn out, you can just get another one. Otherwise to attach a wall plate just get 4 5mm bolts of the same length as the ones on the lollipop and and drill holes in the wall plate at the same centers as those in the lollipop and then attach to the back of unit with the 4 5mm bolts.
 
Hi Richard ... I thought you were on vacation or something as I emailed you 8 or 9 days ago about the brown cast on my CDM150's ! So I do want to call you but it would be about the CDM's.


The mounting issues on the flo has been there since day one. When mounted horizontally as in the picture above it would hold for about 30 minutes then the light would start to dip and this would happen with a brand new ball on the lollipop. I tightened the screw on the clamp really hard to prevent this from happening but the thread popped a notch and it felt like it would break.


Since then I just mount it vertically which is very useful. On the occasions when I need it to be horizontal I had it higher up to allow for droop or I propped the unit with another stand. I never complained about it - even when I used it for practically every scene in A Strange Confession. The light output from the bulbs is phenomenal for the price and I figure the construction on the mount just helps keep your costs at your unbelievably affordable price point.


In fact its worth mentioning to anyone who read this thread that I could not have made A Strange Confession if it had not been for Richards coollights - every scene in that film was lit with his flo and led units. Great color rendition index and very affordable.


Its strange about the emails. - it could be because both my info <at> jdmax.com and mailbox <at> jdmax.com are handled by gmail using pop/imap forwarding, maybe thats the reason? The content of those emails is identical to post 1 of the threads I've started so you haven't missed anything.
 
You should never put spam protection on the web or email server level if you have your own site. Always let your email client handle it. In that way at least the emails will be there in your spam folder.

It sounds like something was stripped on the lollipop bolt and keeping it from tightening all the way. Pat in Reno can send a new ball and bolt to you and I imagine that should fix it. I would call him tomorrow until you get your spam settings corrected.
 
Wow thanks Richard, that will definitely help when I'm taking your flo's on gigs.

As for the wall plate I had actually already bought one earlier today. While you were posting I was taking shots of
the CDM tint and drilling away at this avenger wall plate mount.

Too late to return it now because of the drill holes but I think it could be cool to finish the project as you suggested.

Then I'll have the flo mounted on the end of a boom arm with rock solid 360 degree positioning !

I've taken some pics, here's the first one. No bolts fell off inside, no rattle when I give it a gentle shake

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The lollipop is designed to take off like that. The bolts inside are fixed to the skeleton so they would never fall off. The new quick release kit we have for the portable flos allows even easier taking off of lollipop thank with the thumbscrew method of the one in your picture.
 
My favorite light has a new mount ! Thanks Richard !

$12.50 plate with a little drilling

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Richard,

I store my 4x55 portables in a Petrol largest size "One Man Band", and two fit really well except the lollipop adapters must be removed. So, I am interested in whatever upgrade you have for quick and easy removal. Any chance you could post a photo. Richard, my existing lollipops work ok, but they seem none to robust for the application. I always have to crank the knob down to the max or sag will result. Also, I recently purchased a bunch of C-Stands and the baby stud length is a bit too long for the Cool Lights stand adapter female socket to fully seat and tighten down. I tried using a a grip head on the lollipop stud and that works quite well.

I always recommend your products Richard, and one of the reasons is you are always so responsive to customer issues. Good products + good service!

Grant
 
j. davis and richard-

i know i'm a bit sappy but i like happy endings!

congrats to both for fashioning a workable and productive resolution.

ymmv

be well

rob
smalltalk productions
 
Thanks for everyone's comments and Happy Holidays.

ggrantly you can send us an email for a more detailed response on the issue.

Here is the new Lollipop Quick release kit:

MAMQRPartsCm.jpg


http://www.coollights.biz/clmamqr1-quick-release-retrofit-p-149.html

The installation manual is on that page as well so you can download to see how it works.

Just attaches where the lollipop attaches today. Then allows lollipop to slide in and out and lock in place with a spring loaded lock.
 
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