vivitar 283 and 285 thyristor

slip · 09-21-2012, 10:56 AM

I bought a vivitar 283 with auto thyristor, and saw a 285 with the variable power thyristor. are the thyristor's interchangeable? I would like to take the vari power and put it on the 283 (the 285 looks like it is for parts)

thanks

randy

elliott · 09-21-2012, 12:01 PM

I believe the connector layout is different, so they are physically incompatible. There are some homebrew solutions for a Varipower, seems to be just a 100K potentiometer.

slip · 09-21-2012, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by elliott

I believe the connector layout is different, so they are physically incompatible. There are some homebrew solutions for a Varipower, seems to be just a 100K potentiometer.

thanks very much

I have read about the potentiometer, is it similar to a dimmer for lights?

thanks

randy

elliott · 09-21-2012, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by slip

I have read about the potentiometer, is it similar to a dimmer for lights?

Similar, it is a variable resistor in this configuration, quite hard to mess up. There are 3 connections on a normal potentiometer, one wire will go to the middle and the other will go to one of the ends. It doesn't really matter which end or which wires, if you don't like the direction it turns, just switch the wire to the other end. Even as useless as RadioShack is now, they carry a 100K potentiometer for $3.

slip · 09-21-2012, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by elliott

Similar, it is a variable resistor in this configuration, quite hard to mess up. There are 3 connections on a normal potentiometer, one wire will go to the middle and the other will go to one of the ends. It doesn't really matter which end or which wires, if you don't like the direction it turns, just switch the wire to the other end. Even as useless as RadioShack is now, they carry a 100K potentiometer for $3.

thanks very much... my problem is radio shack left canada a way back (replaced by the source and they suck)
anyone from canada know a supplier for these?

thanks

randy

Not a Number · 09-21-2012, 06:20 PM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-flashes-lighting-technique/143820-...er-module.html

There's a link to a page with a chart of the resistances towards the end of the thread.

marklev · 10-29-2012, 10:40 PM

No, they are not interchangeable. They have different layout and not compatible with each other and also the configuration of the circuit is different with each other that's why you cannot interchange them.

D W · 11-03-2012, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by slip

thanks very much... my problem is radio shack left canada a way back (replaced by the source and they suck)
anyone from canada know a supplier for these?

thanks

randy

There are still component store around Toronto.

09-21-2012, 10:56 AM	#1
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	vivitar 283 and 285 thyristor I bought a vivitar 283 with auto thyristor, and saw a 285 with the variable power thyristor. are the thyristor's interchangeable? I would like to take the vari power and put it on the 283 (the 285 looks like it is for parts) thanks randy

10-29-2012, 10:40 PM	#7
marklev Banned Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1	Thyristor No, they are not interchangeable. They have different layout and not compatible with each other and also the configuration of the circuit is different with each other that's why you cannot interchange them.

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09-21-2012, 12:01 PM	#2
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	I believe the connector layout is different, so they are physically incompatible. There are some homebrew solutions for a Varipower, seems to be just a 100K potentiometer.

09-21-2012, 12:40 PM	#3
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	Originally posted by elliott I believe the connector layout is different, so they are physically incompatible. There are some homebrew solutions for a Varipower, seems to be just a 100K potentiometer. thanks very much I have read about the potentiometer, is it similar to a dimmer for lights? thanks randy

09-21-2012, 04:26 PM	#4
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by slip I have read about the potentiometer, is it similar to a dimmer for lights? Similar, it is a variable resistor in this configuration, quite hard to mess up. There are 3 connections on a normal potentiometer, one wire will go to the middle and the other will go to one of the ends. It doesn't really matter which end or which wires, if you don't like the direction it turns, just switch the wire to the other end. Even as useless as RadioShack is now, they carry a 100K potentiometer for $3.

09-21-2012, 05:40 PM	#5
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	Originally posted by elliott Similar, it is a variable resistor in this configuration, quite hard to mess up. There are 3 connections on a normal potentiometer, one wire will go to the middle and the other will go to one of the ends. It doesn't really matter which end or which wires, if you don't like the direction it turns, just switch the wire to the other end. Even as useless as RadioShack is now, they carry a 100K potentiometer for $3. thanks very much... my problem is radio shack left canada a way back (replaced by the source and they suck) anyone from canada know a supplier for these? thanks randy

09-21-2012, 06:20 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-flashes-lighting-technique/143820-...er-module.html There's a link to a page with a chart of the resistances towards the end of the thread.

11-03-2012, 06:16 PM	#8
D W Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hogtown, ON, Canada Posts: 329	Originally posted by slip thanks very much... my problem is radio shack left canada a way back (replaced by the source and they suck) anyone from canada know a supplier for these? thanks randy There are still component store around Toronto.