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Lowel Tota-light Instructions
TOTA-LIGHT
T
OTA-BRELLA
TOTA-FRAME
General Warnings
The Lowel Tota-light® is a professional
lighting fixture. Read these
instructions and lamp manufacturer’s
warnings before operating.
n Not for household use,
use only for film, video or imaging purposes.
n Do not leave lit fixture unattended.
n Unplug lights when unattended or
when relamping.
n Make certain that lamp voltage
matches power source voltage.
The units use lamps of different voltages
(example: never connect a 120 volt lamp to
a 220/240 volt source).
n Units such as this emit considerable
light and heat and, if not properly used,
could be dangerous.
n The Protective Screen must be used
to protect people and property in the unlikely
event of a defective lamp exploding, which
can cause small fragments of hot glass &
filament to be scattered about.
n Tota-light should never be operated
with doors either closed or beyond the
below shown “safety stop” position.
n Open faced lights should not be
positioned extremely close to people.
Ultraviolet light ray emissions can cause damage to the eyes and reddening of the skin. The
likelihood of either occurring is increased with
length of exposure, focus intensity and proximity. As a result, lights should be kept away
from people. Bounce illumination also eliminates this problem.
n Avoid aiming the light at,
or placing close to, people, delicate objects
or flammable materials.
n Do not interfere with ventilation
by covering the lights in any way.
n Never touch hot parts.
n Do not use near standing water.
n Lights should be operated with
lamp filament horizontal.
Yes
n Avoid mounting lights directly
over people unless secured with a safety
cord or cable.
Tota-light
360°
Constant
tension
no-yoke
tilting
3” (7.6 cm)
Flexi-shaft locks
into mount to hold
flags and flectors
Adjustable
reflector can
actually
light behind
itself
4.5” (11.4 cm)
2” (5 cm)
Technical Data
Size closed: 2" x 3" x 11"
(5 x 7.6 x 27.9 cm)
Weight less cable: 1.3 lbs (595 g)
With 16' cable: 2.25 lbs (1.02 kg)
Max. wattage: 750w at 120v,
800w at 220/240v
Max. amperage: 6.25 at 120v
Beam control: door angle provides
vertical beam control
Fits on: studs 5/8" (1.59 cm) or smaller
Materials: primarily aluminum alloy
Cable: 16' (4.88 m) #18/3 wire
Switch: in-line
U.S. Patent: 3852582
Large cool
knob for
360° tilting
Safety stop/
reflector handle
Gull-wing
reflector produces
wide, smooth
light pattern
11” (29.9 cm)
Slot for
umbrella and
gel-frame
Lock for
umbrella and
gel-frame
A second
Tota stacks
on and locks
in place
Lamp/Beam Data Performance
Lowel F. C. at 10' (3 m)
Code Volts Watts °K Avg Life doors norm doors 180°
EHZ 120 300 2900 2000 hr 14 (149) 11 (122)
FDN 120 500 3200 400 hr 27 (295) 22 (235)
FCZ 120 500 3000 2600 hr 26 (280) 19 (200)
FCM/HIR* 120 650 3200 400 hr 60 (640) 45 (485)
(FWM)
EMD 120 750 3200 400 hr 41 (445) 34 (365)
EMF 220/240 800 3200 250 hr 45 (480) 34 (365)
• 750W max @ 120V.
• 800W max @ 220/240V.
• Tota and V-light lamps are not
interchangeable.
• Tota lamps are frosted except FCM/HIR
• *G.E. Watt Miser™, also known as FWM,
has virtually same output as 1000W lamp
(see manufacturers specifications).
With 120v, 750w, 3200°K, EMD lamp
Beam angles-points at which intensity drops
to 50% of maximum
Tota Operations
Tota Lamps Replacement
Warning: Always unplug unit
before relamping.
n Lamps must be operated at their
rated voltage. Avoid touching
“glass” with bare fingers,
use tissue or handkerchief. Skin oil
on lamp glass
will focus heat
unevenly and
cause premature
lamp failure.
No
n Insert lamp carefully, to avoid breaking
porcelain ends.
n The tension springs of the Tota sockets A
are very stiff, remove and install lamps carefully with 2 hands to avoid damaging lamp.
The porcelain contact of the socket may occasionally stick in its protective metal housing.
The contact can be freed by pushing against it
with a pencil or other suitable object.
A
n Due to inconsistencies in lamp (bulb) production, an individual lamp may function for
less than avg. rated life. Some lamp manufactures are of better quality than others and may
provide longer life and better performance.
See Lowel Catalog or www.lowel.com
for complete technical data.
A
Attaching Tota
Protective Screen
Warning: Never operate light without
supplied Protective Screen.
After opening Tota-light reflector doors, push
long open edges of screen into slots between
open doors of
Tota-light. When storing
the screen protect from
bending which will
effect the proper fit.
Tota Door
Operating Positions
Tota-light must be operated with
doors open.
Operating fixture with doors closed or partially
closed will cause serious damage to the
fixture and possible personal hazard.
A Maximum light intensity (total door angle
of 90°). Door handles will help prevent
doors from closing beyond the safe operating
position.
B Maximum vertical spread.
C Compensates for light fall-off when illumi-
nating a wall or cyc from below (opposite
door configuration when lighting from above).
AB
C
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TOTA-LIGHT
TOTA-BRELLA
TOTA-FRAME
Lowel Tota-light Instructions
Storing Tota Tota Light Controls
To Store Tota
When fixture is cool to the touch, disconnect
plug on rear of Tota-light. Remove
Protective Screen, spring out door
handles slightly until open end
can slip between double walls
and close doors. Store Protective
Screen “over” folded light. When
storing the screen, protect from
bending which will effect the
proper fit.
Tota/Omni Shared Light Control Accessories
The following components are shared by both the
Tota and Omni-lights. Their attachment may differ
slightly between Tota and Omni, as described below.
Umbrellas
Photographic umbrellas
convert relatively hard
light sources, such as
spotlights, into relatively
soft sources that provide
soft shadows and highlights. Although not
appropriate for every
subject or mood, the
quality of light can be very beautiful. There are two Umbrellas
designed for use with the Tota lights, a woven, soft silver
Tota-brella (T1-25) and a softer white Tota-brella (T1-26) that
produces a softer light and also may be used as a large diffuser. The larger Lowel DP Umbrellas (Silver D2-25, White
D2-26) may also be used with the Tota-lights (see below).
Warning:
When lights with umbrellas are extended very high, or used on
undersized stands or in areas of heavy “traffic”, it is advisable
to add weight (such as the Lowel weight) to the base of the
stand. This reduces the chance of lights falling over which
could damage the umbrella, the lamp, and possibly cause
personal injury.
Using Umbrellas with Tota
Insert umbrella through hole until shaft
appears through opposite hole. Lock with
knob. When the umbrella is in place, the
gel frame cannot be used. Tota-shades and
gels should be used for daylight correction.
The use of clear instead of frosted lamps
will increase the light output by approximately 15%. When
using the DP Umbrella, the tilt tension of the light may have to
be increased. This can be done easily by tightening the nut
located on the stand fitting with a 7/16" wrench.
Do not over tighten!
Tota-shade
Codes: T1-21 (1)
T1-24 (set of 4)
Top/ Bottom Shades.
Attach Tota-shade panel to the top or bottom reflector door
with black clips facing in to
lock over the door's ribs.
Side Shades can be used
only when top and bottom
panels are attached. Turn
each black clip 45° and
attach one each to the bent
rod ends of the top and bottom panels. Reflector doors
must be held tightly against
their 45° angle stops while
doing this.
Tota-frame
Code: T1-20
Unfold frame, extending frame bar and insert
through front accessory mounting hole
until shaft appears through opposite
hole. Lock with knob.
Tota/Omni Gels
Gels are secured to the frame with
corner spring clips. Gels should not
be doubled up. Precut, tough, fade
resistant Lowel gels are available in
daylight blue, frost diffusion, and
neutral density. Gels can be cut
into various shapes to cover only
part of the frame and subject.
(See gel instruction sheet.)
Tota-flag & Tota-flector
Codes: T1-52 & T1-54
Tota flags can be used separately, or
snapped together end to end or side to
side. Flags can be attached to the light
with a flexi-shaft. Flags block or “feather”
light off background, subject, or camera
lens. Tota-flectors can be attached in the
same way and used to redirect some of
the light. It can also provide close-up fill
illumination from the sun or other source
over a small area. Slight convex bowing
of the surface will reduce the intensity
and increase the area illumination.
Avoid mounting flags or reflectors directly
over people unless secured with a safety
cord or cable.
Flexi-shaft
Code: T1-50 (set of 2)
A flexible arm positions Tota-flags and Tota-flectors. The fixed end of the Flexi-shaft snaps into a
female connector on the Tota & Omni-lights, Tota-clamp and a
few other Tota components. The rotating end snaps on to the
flag, flector etc. Avoid overstressing connectors while bending
and twisting. Insert the non-rotating end into the light.
Panels become extremely hot; do not touch
with bare fingers. Do not close Tota-shade
when lamp is on.
Tota-tatch
Code: T1-34
Spring clamp attaches Tota-flags and
Tota-flectors with or without Flexi-shafts,
to stands, pipes, and flat surfaces.
The snap-in fitting rotates to help
position flags. Tota-tatch may also be
used to hold and position black & white
cards, cue cards, gels, etc.
Lampaks
Lampaks provide transparent, semi rigid
foam filled storage for spare lamps.
Always remove lamps from fixture
& store in Lampak if the kit will be
travelling for an extended period
(example: flights or cargo).
Never put hot lamps in
Lampak.
Tota Lampak
Code: T1-61
Stores 6 Tota lamps in foam filled
plastic case. (lamps not included)
Tota/Omni Lampak
Code: TO-61
Stores 2 Tota & 4 Omni lamps in foam
filled plastic case. (lamps not included)
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The following components are shared
TOTA-LIGHT
TOTA-BRELLA
T
OTA-FRAME
Male
Female
16'
MaleFemale
1
6'
MaleFemale
16'
Male
Female
10'
by both the Tota and Omni-lights.
Omni-stand
Code: O1-33
Weight: 2.6 lbs
(1.2 kg)
Size: (2.74 m), 27"
(69 cm) folded
Sturdy and lightweight;
extends to 9'. Collar
clamping;
standard 5/8"
(1.59 cm) stud.
Uni TO Stand
Code: UN-55
Weight: 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)
Size: 21.5" (54.6 cm) folded.
Maximum height:
7'11" (2.4 m)
Base diameter: 43"
New stand, based
on design
combination
of Uni-stand &
Omni-stand. More stable than
Uni-stand, more compact than
Omni-stand.
Tota-mount
Code: T1-32
Tota-mount supports small fixtures atop
doors and partitions. Doors can be open or
closed. The light can be inside or outside
room, since swinging arm extends past most
door jams. Tota-mount can be flipped over
and nailed to studio set walls or Gaffer-taped
to windows or tile, wood, metal and other
wall surfaces. Tota-mount should not be
used with lights heavier than 3 lbs. (1.33 kg)
Lowel Tota-light Instructions
Tota/Omni Mounts Cables & Connectors
Tota-daptor
Code: T1-35
Steps up undersize stand tops
to standard 5/8". It also acts as
a short extension. It has two
snap-in fittings for Flexi-shafts.
Two Tota-lights can be locked
together by turning one of the
stand fittings “backwards” and
locking it onto the stand fitting
extension. For each additional two Totas, a
Tota-daptor must be added. The stacked lights
can then be mounted on a stand or hung from
a suitable clamp. Care must be exercised to
provide sufficient ventilation and prevent
cables from contacting lights.
16' Tota/Omni Cable
Code: T1-80
Standard #18/3; with switch & Edison
wall plug.
16' (5 m) Tota Eurocord
Code: T1-801
#18/3 (.75 mm/3) with double pole switch
and male CEE-7 plug.
16' (5 m) Tota UK Cord
Code: T1-802
#18/3 (.75 mm/3) with double pole switch
and male fused BS 1363A plug.
10' Unswitched Cable
Code: T1-808
For portable stage lighting use.
“Hard service” #18/3 cable.
Tota-clamp
Code: T1-30
Tota-clamp supports most lights
that fit standard 5/8" studs.
Tota-clamp can be attached to
pipes, stands or flat surfaces.
When clamping on furniture,
use thin wood or cardboard to
avoid marring. To rotate stud,
turn wing nut counterclockwise
several turns. The stud can be
locked in any of four positions; two for the
5/8" stud and two for the end with the 1/4-20
tapped hole. A 1/4-20 screw can be used to
lock on some microphone yokes and various
accessories. Tota-clamp has two snap-in
fittings for Flexi-shafts.
Mounting Tota-mount
with Gaffer Tape
Use 12"of Gaffer-tape on each bar of
Tota-mount or side of Vipod and burnish
down with a coin. Avoid wallpaper, soft
composition board or flaking paint. Never
attach to the ceiling with tape. Use original
Lowel Gaffer-tape, as many substitutes leave
adhesive residue or lack sufficient strength.
When properly attached, Tota-mount or Vipod
will support the Iight for days. However,
on dirty or poorly bonded surfaces, or with
improper or poorly applied tape, there is the
danger of the mount falling down and causing
serious damage. Check adhesion periodically.
Prevent direct light from overheating tape.
Remove tape when cool, by peeling back
diagonally. Tota-mount should never
be used with heavier lights.
Scissor-mount
Code: CM-20
Attaches Tota-lights,
and Omni-lights to dropped ceiling:
Clamp X bars of grid lock to
T-Bar of ceiling frame at support
cable intersection. Attach fixture
to mount stud and tighten.
Omni-lights should also use the Tota-daptor
enabling the fixture to be turned “right side
up” (top of the light facing the ceiling).
Operating the Omni-lights upside down will
cause short lamp life. Avoid mounting fixtures
directly over people unless secured with a
safety cord or cable.
These accessories may also be
used, consult their instructions
for proper use.
Space-clamp
Grip
Tota Adjustments
Tota-light has a
constant-tension tilt
(torque) which can be
adjusted, if needed, by
tightening the nut located
on the stand fitting with a
7/16" wrench.
Reflector door tension can be adjusted by
tightening the screws located on the rear of
the reflector door with a screwdriver.
Interlink
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Lowel Tota-light Instructions
A
Camera
B
A
Camera
B
C
A
Camera
B
A
Camera
B
A
Camera
C
B
E
xtreme drama, contrast,
s
hadows and lens flare;
or translucent subjects
and rim-light
T
ransparent
s
ubjects
C
opy art
T
raditional angle
f
or many opaque subjects
Dramatic modeling
texture, shadows
S
ubject
Camera:
film, video, still
45°45°
Glare, ugly shadows,
flat-light look and squinting
C
opy art
Tota for the New Pro
The wide angle coverage area of the broad throw
Tota-light makes it the ideal choice for lighting
a large area evenly.
The Tota-light is an open face (lensless) fixture.
Therefore its capable of throwing sharp shadows. Tota’s
versatilities are easily extended by addition of light control
accessories. For example, adding a Tota-brella instantly
transforms the light into a soft Key (main) light or Fill
(secondary) light.
The Tota is a tungsten-halogen source.
Its color temperature will be in the 3000–3200k° range,
depending on lamp choice. To use Tota in locations where its
output will mix with daylight (5600–6500K°), its color
temperature can be converted by adding various strengths
of day blue gels to the Tota-frame for more realistic
white-balancing in video or film.
Tota is one half of the Tota/Omni lighting system.
As a starting point, when using them together in simple setups,
use Omni-light A for focusing on your subject, and a second
Omni B for fill if desired. Use a Tota-light C to illuminate your
background evenly. Position of the lights and distance to the
subject can be varied for different creative results.
Add diffusion gel in a Tota-frame, or attach an umbrella to
create a softer source.
For soft Key & Fill in a classic interview setup,
use 2 Tota’s with reflective umbrellas A & B from 3/4 angles.
Varying the distance of either light from the subject will vary
the contrast ratio between Key & Fill.
Tota’s ability to light evenly makes it ideal for archival copy
work. See Setup #2 below for further information.
Because the coverage area of the Tota is so wide,
it may be necessary to trim its spill, especially to reduce risk
of shadow in your shot caused by use of overhead boom
microphones. Accessory Tota-shades attach quickly to the
light & allow you to cut output on 2 or 4 sides. Flexi-shafts
& Tota-flags can also be attached for increased light
control options.
The oversimplified diagram above shows some of the
ramifications of positioning lights for different subject types
& lighting effects. The diagram is only useful as a starting point
for new pros. All subjects & scenes are different and make different demands upon lighting. The height of the
lights & camera, and the subjects angles & reflectivity
must be considered.
The Tota-light can use different wattage lamps,
from 300–750W at 120V. This increases its versatility,
especially when mixing with other fixtures of different max.
wattages. See the lamp chart for more information.
Note: if you need less output, it may be better to use a lower
wattage lamp than to control the light with a dimmer. Dimming
tungsten lamps causes their color temperature to shift warmer.
These are just some starting suggestions.
For an in-depth understanding of the creative decisions
involved in the art of lighting, we suggest Ross Lowell’s
acclaimed book, Matters of Light & Depth. Available from
Lowel and many of our dealers.
Example Setups using Tota-light
Setup #1
To simply raise the ambient level of light in a room,
point the Tota-light at a white wall or ceiling (from a safe
distance of several feet or more). Position the light so it wont
be in your shot.
Setup #2
For archival copy work (Example: a painting hung on a wall)
start by placing Totas A & B on stands at 45° angles to the
wall, on both sides of the camera. Vary the angle to the
wall/camera to reduce unwanted reflection. Large subjects
may require 2 Totas at different heights on each side.
Setup #3
In classic interview setup, use 1 Tota A with diffusion and
Tota-frame as the key light, and another Tota B with reflective
umbrella as the softer fill light. Vary position & angle to
camera for desired creative effect. Note: the output of the Tota
key will be harder/sharper than the Tota fill because the
umbrella addition creates a softer source.
Option: add a third Tota C to evenly light the background.
90 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788
Call: 800 645-2522 or 631 273-2500
e-mail: info@lowel.com
www.lowel.com
Problems, info, repairs, etc.Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc.
Lowel equipment and kits are sold through authorized Lowel Dealers and, in some countries,
Authorized Lowel Distributors. Repairs, problems, suggestions, and requests for brochures,
instructions, parts lists may be handled by your authorized Lowel Dealer (Distributor) or directly
with Lowel. Electrical repairs should be made only by Lowel or a qualified electrician.
Lowel Omni-system, Lowel Omni-light, Lowel Tota-system and Tota-light are trademarks of
Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc. Lowel Patent Nos.: 3852582, 4187531
version: 5.2 © Lowel-Light Mfg., Inc. 2009 625
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