Vivitar 283 bought the farm?

**germar** · 05-20-2008, 08:51 PM

Folks:

I just acquired an old Vivitar 283 flash as part of a larger gear purchase.

I loaded some batteries in it and noted that the flash would squeal up and give me a ready light, but then suddenly would POP loudly (no flash) and start squealing again.

It would settle down and fire as expected, but this behavior returns when the batts start getting used up....I've also noted the batts will be rather hot after one of these popping events.

Has this flash bought the farm?

regards,

germar

Jodokast96 · 05-20-2008, 08:55 PM

Don't know much about flashes, but it sounds like the capacitor firing but not the bulb. Without the bulb firing, all of the energy from the capacitor's charge has to go somewhere, and it seems to be in the form of the heat you feel on the batteries.

High Roads Photo · 05-20-2008, 10:45 PM

It sounds like it is shorting out inside. If you are a brave soul and don't mind taking it apart, you will clearly see where it is discharging itself inside the body. It may be caused by something as simple as a build up of dust acting as a condutor.
My .02

JCSullivan · 05-21-2008, 05:36 AM

I have a 285 that I refuse to give up. It won't work with batteries and have been trying to get the SB-6 for it but no luck so far.

**germar** · 05-21-2008, 12:21 PM

Yea, I opened up the 283 and found nothing that really looked strange.

After reassembly, the powerup "whine" is nothing but a low grumble and the ready light never comes on.... and the batteries become hot to the touch after a few seconds.

Hmmm... scratch one 283 from the list.

thanks for the advice, tho.

germar

Big Dave · 05-23-2008, 11:52 AM

JC,
What type of batteries are you attempting to use. I have a nice 285 which refuses to work with NIMH batteries, but works great with ni-cads. You might try ni-cads or alkaline if you were trying nimh batteries.

Dave

Originally posted by JCSullivan

I have a 285 that I refuse to give up. It won't work with batteries and have been trying to get the SB-6 for it but no luck so far.

05-20-2008, 08:51 PM	#1
germar Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 728	Vivitar 283 bought the farm? Folks: I just acquired an old Vivitar 283 flash as part of a larger gear purchase. I loaded some batteries in it and noted that the flash would squeal up and give me a ready light, but then suddenly would POP loudly (no flash) and start squealing again. It would settle down and fire as expected, but this behavior returns when the batts start getting used up....I've also noted the batts will be rather hot after one of these popping events. Has this flash bought the farm? regards, germar

05-21-2008, 12:21 PM	#5
germar Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 728 Original Poster	Surgery Yea, I opened up the 283 and found nothing that really looked strange. After reassembly, the powerup "whine" is nothing but a low grumble and the ready light never comes on.... and the batteries become hot to the touch after a few seconds. Hmmm... scratch one 283 from the list. thanks for the advice, tho. germar

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05-20-2008, 08:55 PM	#2
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Don't know much about flashes, but it sounds like the capacitor firing but not the bulb. Without the bulb firing, all of the energy from the capacitor's charge has to go somewhere, and it seems to be in the form of the heat you feel on the batteries.

05-20-2008, 10:45 PM	#3
High Roads Photo Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 32	It sounds like it is shorting out inside. If you are a brave soul and don't mind taking it apart, you will clearly see where it is discharging itself inside the body. It may be caused by something as simple as a build up of dust acting as a condutor. My .02

05-21-2008, 05:36 AM	#4
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	I have a 285 that I refuse to give up. It won't work with batteries and have been trying to get the SB-6 for it but no luck so far.

05-23-2008, 11:52 AM	#6
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	JC, What type of batteries are you attempting to use. I have a nice 285 which refuses to work with NIMH batteries, but works great with ni-cads. You might try ni-cads or alkaline if you were trying nimh batteries. Dave Originally posted by JCSullivan I have a 285 that I refuse to give up. It won't work with batteries and have been trying to get the SB-6 for it but no luck so far.