Battery mystery
Aug 3, 2020 19:36:08 #
aggiedad
Loc: Corona, ca
I have a Canon 580 Ex ll speedlight that has been giving me problems. When being turned on the screen appeared, but the pilot light did not turn on, and it would not fire. I also have a 430 EZ unit I had been using as a slave. It wasn’t working either. The batteries in both tested good with a meter. Fearful that both had died, I call a service person at Canon, who asked questions, and then suggested I switch batteries
Out, and Shazam, both units now work. Why, I don’t understand, but I am grateful for the suggestion from a very kind tech. Who’d a thunk it?
Out, and Shazam, both units now work. Why, I don’t understand, but I am grateful for the suggestion from a very kind tech. Who’d a thunk it?
Aug 3, 2020 19:46:02 #
Aug 3, 2020 19:53:09 #
aggiedad wrote:
I have a Canon 580 Ex ll speedlight that has been ... (show quote)
Try cleaning the flash's battery contacts with a Q-tip, damp with WHITE vinegar.
A second damp with water. Dry with a third.
Sounds like a bit of dirt or corrosion on the contacts.
Not uncommon.
Bill
Aug 3, 2020 19:54:31 #
Magaliaman
Loc: Magalia, CA
aggiedad wrote:
I have a Canon 580 Ex ll speedlight that has been ... (show quote)
Do the 580 & 430 take the same pack or battery holder? Maybe you somehow switched them by mistake.
-Gary
Aug 3, 2020 21:07:49 #
Aug 3, 2020 21:10:02 #
Aug 3, 2020 21:15:05 #
aggiedad
Loc: Corona, ca
The thing is, both seem to work with just trading the different branded batteries to the other flash.
Everready vs copper top.
Everready vs copper top.
Aug 3, 2020 21:16:19 #
A volt-ohm meter is NOT a battery tester ... although it CAN identify the toadally dead ones.
Aug 3, 2020 21:22:23 #
aggiedad wrote:
The thing is, both seem to work with just trading the different branded batteries to the other flash.
Everready vs copper top.
Everready vs copper top.
Coincidence. AA is AA, if quality, FRESH batteries.
Trash all eight and start fresh.
Name brand AA can be had for less than $ .25
if bought 100 at a time.
Inconcequential money at worst.
Bill
Aug 3, 2020 21:59:54 #
Obviously, dead or dying batteries will cause you Speedlights to malfunction. Testing batteries with a standard voltmeter or a multimeter will oftentimes prove a false reading because batteries have to be tested under load- as if they are in use in the flash. If you use lots of non-rechargeable batteries such as Energizers and Copper Tops, there are special battery testers that provide a load. If you don't use many batteries, usually an indication that batteries are reaching exhaustion is when recycling times become longer than usual. After a long shooting day or session, routinely change the batteries before they are totally discharged.
If you use you Speedlights frequently, you may want to consider rechargeable batteries or an external battery pack that will provide many flashes per charge.
If you use you Speedlights frequently, you may want to consider rechargeable batteries or an external battery pack that will provide many flashes per charge.
Aug 3, 2020 22:30:20 #
aggiedad wrote:
I have a Canon 580 Ex ll speedlight that has been ... (show quote)
I have sold a lot of cameras and flashes to local friends and acquaintances. If I sell a flash I generally offer free batteries, just call when out, I'll have more.
Sounds generous, but not really, few take advantage of it. And only $1 per four pack,fresh dated, when they do.
The point, I get a complaint about a flash, never a camera. Not often, but enough. I see it. It is loaded with a mixture of junk drawer batteries.
Always have fresh batteries, and plenty.
You never feel so stupid as when you have gone miles for a shoot, and find you have forgotten fresh batteries. On a hot day, take extra.
Personal experience.
Bill
Aug 3, 2020 23:33:17 #
If they're NiCd batteries I'm not surprised. They will show full charge at times when they are nearly dead. I refuse to use NiCd batteries.
Aug 4, 2020 08:16:38 #
newtoyou wrote:
Coincidence. AA is AA, if quality, FRESH batteries.
Trash all eight and start fresh.
Name brand AA can be had for less than $ .25
if bought 100 at a time.
Inconcequential money at worst.
Bill
Trash all eight and start fresh.
Name brand AA can be had for less than $ .25
if bought 100 at a time.
Inconcequential money at worst.
Bill
Exactly. Fussing over battery expense for speed lights is childish. I choose the word “Childish” cuz it refers to folks too young to have ever paid for flashbulbs.
If speed lights had never been invented then flash pix would cost ~ $1.25 per shot in 2020 $$. If you get only 100 full power flashes from a set of 4 AA cells you’re still getting your money’s worth.
Aug 4, 2020 08:25:14 #
JRiepe wrote:
If they're NiCd batteries I'm not surprised. They will show full charge at times when they are nearly dead. I refuse to use NiCd batteries.
Nicads are sooooooooo obsolete. When they first came out I tried them ... and then went back to single use batteries. Nimh were not great either but were a decent improvement over nicads and proved to be usable.
Aug 4, 2020 08:58:52 #
User ID wrote:
Nicads are sooooooooo obsolete. When they first came out I tried them ... and then went back to single use batteries. Nimh were not great either but were a decent improvement over nicads and proved to be usable.
Okay, in my reply I mistakenly said NiCd when I meant Nimh. Thanks.
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