Gaffer & Gear 96 HMI Head Leads

Run through of connecting HMI head lead to the ballast and the head.

[@createtoserve]

As an educator I appreciate that you take the time to patiently walk through things that seem like they should be obvious without any kind of condescension or arrogance. This is exactly the kind of thing that people mess up because nobody thinks to teach them how to do it. It's also the kind of thing a student or intern will be too embarrassed to ask about. Well done.

[@tcrproductions7508]

I can't believe I just enjoyed an 11 minute video about plugs.

[@dominikhaberstock]

I feel like with every video I watch, I’m getting more confident to rent equipment I haven’t used before. Thanks Andrew!

[@robertharker]

I have a feeling that yet again, a HMI was returned with a broken multi-pin connector and Andrew wanted to pull his hair out. While some might consider this a newbie topic, someone has to show the newbie the right way before they figure out the wrong way on their own. Once again a great video.

[@gaffergear]

A lot of newbies are having to teach them self's working for free on short films because budget cuts have done away with interns on payed gigs. I respect the get up and give it a go attitude of these guys. My lights get broken because the system is broken.

[@jonpav6224]

@@gaffergear At a time when knowledge and skill are needed just as much and more than ever, it's sad to see many courses (in various industries) charging lots of money but not teaching the nuts and bolts and hands-on skills. Many keen and motivated people out there, they need to be taught well and have a chance. Commoditising of skills and services.

[@OldSchoolFilm1930]

"Let's not overcomplecate here." Talks about plugging in a cable. :D

[@djktman]

It baffles me how there will be some people that can’t figure something like this out, or worse, don’t treat equipment with care but it happens. We get all kinds in this industry. Regardless, it still is important to know something like this and I appreciate you teaching more then the regular KZbinr.

[@MrMansionIV]

In my experience a lot of people don't own any such gear and thus never seen long term effects of their behaviour. Coiling cables is a common examples. And some just don't care "it's insured, not my problem".

[@carlosmelville]

Top educational video Andrew. Absolutely staggering that anyone could do that much damage to the connector on a head lead! Total incompetence and they shouldn't be let anywhere near a film set! Take care and hope that you're back shooting.🍺

[@ballisticaom645]

Great teacher, I wish I went to Melbourne instead of Sydney and apprenticed for you when I went back in 2016, learning so much from you now as a camera op turning Gaffer

[@parasympatholytic]

No fluff, no crap, no what I ate for breakfast... just hard core useful information. Well done as usual.

[@Rolypopoly]

Another truly excellent video packed with useful information. Thanks and here's hoping you get fewer damaged leads and heads in the future!

[@airindiana]

Your teaching skills are top! I’m addicted to this channel. One man band film maker who never (currently) gets to use big lights but I’m learning so much

[@aebonstudio7193]

If no one damaged his gear we'd never get these videos. I think that's kinda funny. Hopefully the revenue from videos help pay for repairs!

[@birkgroven9160]

I think his gear is insured

[@mikohughes7802]

Unfortunately not likely. I believe these cables are in the range of $200-$500! Seems silly to make a video about something so trivial... until you realize the price.

[@mikohughes7802]

*At least not the revenue from this video alone I should say

[@andyvan5692]

by the way, Andrew, this is how most MIG welders connect their torches (guns) to the power supply, a plug with a twist lock, you twist the collar, not the cable, help people, as not many get a chance to see this equipment up close, so an analogy for refference.

[@andyvan5692]

Andrew, you CAN do it that way, ie: cable top to the ground, but!, do like other 'tradies' do it, electrical linesman, etc. use a ROPE, tie a clove hitch around the connector, then lower via the rope, slowly, to someone on the ground, that way also when the rope falls, nobody gets injured as well.

[@danielbravo6528]

Hola,desde ARGENTINA. Soy Daniel de CYL RENTAL.Muy didácticos tus videos,agregaría algunas técnicas más.Thank you.

[@Davinchielwxp]

Thanks so much!

[@artobzor]

Thanks a lot from Russia )

[@-PaulT-]

Ever tried removing a 9k header from the ballast with optional outputs, and that annoying blanking plate - in the snow, at night... nigh on impossible

[@RuXTaR]

Scrubs comes to mind.. "Righty tighty, lefty loosey"

[@jonpav6224]

I've seen examples of Powercon and Speakcon damaged, too much twisting force and no release of locking pin. Multi pin connectors are expensive and can take quite a bit of effort to re terminate. I tend to rope up / down heavy gear, if there's only ladders.

[@olivermuff3375]

I did not know how much you can fuck up, plugging two connectors together... Never had an issue with head leads, but apperently there are a lot of idiots out there which really need this tutorial :-D

[@YuriusSan]

I could almost sense his frustration with past renters.

[@PancakeLighting]

Andrew, I feel so bad for your gear! I hope this video saves you from some silly repair headache. Are you able to purchase new end connectors and make the repairs yourself? Does your insurance cover damage during rentals?

[@gaffergear]

New connectors are less then the insurance excess, so cost is invoiced to production. In most cases it's just a lack of education so I'm not upset, people are giving it a go, getting on set to teach them selfs on short films because its their only option. I respect and encourage that attitude

[@vontd9]

Is that one of those off-brand HMIs? How do you find them?

[@clk55amg208]

Hey Andrew. Love your videos. Over the years I've encountered a few HMI leads where the locking ring doesn't "click" to a complete lock. I'll try to apply added force to get it to "click" but sometimes they just won't. When I've run into these situations I usually avoid that lead and switch to another. Is there any danger in using a lead where the lock ring won't "click" completely? Is there an easy solution to non-clicking lock rings?

[@gaffergear]

I have Desisti ballasts that don't click over, they miss by about 1mm. As long as it's firm, your fine.

[@ricklord7144]

I see mounted on the side your HMI, there is a spring metal coupler holder thingy. I have a couple of old cinepars that I would like to install those types of clamps too. Is that possible? And if so, is that an after-market add-on?

[@gaffergear]

These are on all the HMIs I own, on different and came with them. I can ask my supplier if they can get it as a spare part and get back to you.

[@ricklord7144]

@@gaffergear That would be great... Thank you! Getting tired of these guys letting head feeders dead-hang.

[@EclipseSound]

how about astera titan tube review?

[@adamreich2647]

Hi Andrew, this is definitely off topic, but I was wondering if you labeled your equipment in your rental business (i.e. lights but also things like cables) to make sure you’re getting back your own equipment. And if so, how do you label them? Thanks in advance.

[@gaffergear]

I used to paint my name on them, but that effects the resale value and I'm not keeping lights very long as the Tech changes every two or three years. Now.im just using coloured cable ties to identify my gear. It's a problem, I get gear come back that isn't mine all the time, usual addition gear

[@andyvan5692]

one other safety point you didn't make, when doing this, CHECK THE POWER IS OFF!!, like a welder, a lot of current\voltage is in this stuff, and when you get them close, it arcs, which can cause burns, electrocution, or blindness (from the resultant UV light).

[@gaffergear]

That's a good point. So basic I overlooked it

[@igetitlitsoicansit2950]

whats your thought on these hmi Clones?

[@gaffergear]

Heads are about 15% dimmer than the arri, the ballasts have way better power factor so pull far less power. All up cost me 40% of an arri. I'm Melbourne, most gaffer have ARRI heads and these Chinese ballasts to get the best of both worlds. I would be reluctant to buy these if I wasn't dealing with a local distributor giving me 3 years parts and service warranty.

[@igetitlitsoicansit2950]

@@gaffergear well im sold on them. I have a local Service tech, that upgrades the internals on the heads and the ballasts. I'm going to try one out. but i do like the idea of haveing the arri head . thanks andrew

[@user-oj6kq6so9v]

hello maintenance arri thailand

[@NicholasVeezy-pt5fv]

Please is this cable original name HMI?

[@gaffergear]

HMI is the light

[@Deaddinoproductions]

Jeepers. Can’t believe there are actual crew people working with gear like this who don’t know how to plug/unplug a cable and require this level of explanation 🙄.

[@gaffergear]

It's due to budget cuts, I can't remember the last time I was on a job and has a junior on set paid to learn, and the film schools are useless.

[@305kubrick]

Really? You never made mistakes on a film set? You knew EVERYTHING on your first day?

[@malikismyname]

Agreed. People Can be very dumb! .... an other thing... have You seen this New large led panel? Would love to see You do a review. They look quite handy... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXPZlZ6gmc5mbck

[@gaffergear]

Link won't come up, what's the name and brand