Pentax AF 540 flash not recycling

mcrogner · 01-24-2015, 08:43 PM

I have a Pentax AF 540 flash which stopped recycling this evening. The red "ready" light comes on briefly when I turn the flash on, but I cannot get it to fire. The flash has probably been used for 400-500 photos. Does this mean it's dead? I'm hoping that I'm overlooking something silly and there's an easy fix.

enoeske · 01-24-2015, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by mcrogner

I have a Pentax AF 540 flash which stopped recycling this evening. The red "ready" light comes on briefly when I turn the flash on, but I cannot get it to fire. The flash has probably been used for 400-500 photos. Does this mean it's dead? I'm hoping that I'm overlooking something silly and there's an easy fix.

Have you tried the test button?

j2photos · 01-24-2015, 09:32 PM

Did you try new batteries? My 360 becomes a real pain on low battery.

SOldBear · 01-24-2015, 09:37 PM

It's a shot in the dark (yes, pun intended), but doesn't hurt to try.

Set the charging mode to PP2 ("Switching the Charging Mode"):

Please report back.

mcrogner · 01-24-2015, 09:48 PM

Thanks all!

I let it rest for about 10 minutes and then it began working again. No idea, as I hadn't fired it more than twice tonight before it stopped working. Hopefully isn't a long term issue, but seems to be fixed for now.

DSims · 01-25-2015, 01:54 AM

Eneloops seem to work well, since they hold a constant voltage until just before they're completely discharged. Many electronics respond better to this than a gradually sinking voltage. I'd certainly test your battery voltage to see where they're at.

01-24-2015, 08:43 PM	#1
mcrogner New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chico, California Posts: 11	Pentax AF 540 flash not recycling I have a Pentax AF 540 flash which stopped recycling this evening. The red "ready" light comes on briefly when I turn the flash on, but I cannot get it to fire. The flash has probably been used for 400-500 photos. Does this mean it's dead? I'm hoping that I'm overlooking something silly and there's an easy fix.

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01-24-2015, 09:16 PM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by mcrogner I have a Pentax AF 540 flash which stopped recycling this evening. The red "ready" light comes on briefly when I turn the flash on, but I cannot get it to fire. The flash has probably been used for 400-500 photos. Does this mean it's dead? I'm hoping that I'm overlooking something silly and there's an easy fix. Have you tried the test button?

01-24-2015, 09:32 PM	#3
j2photos Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Manteca, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,653	Did you try new batteries? My 360 becomes a real pain on low battery.

01-24-2015, 09:37 PM	#4
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	It's a shot in the dark (yes, pun intended), but doesn't hurt to try. Set the charging mode to PP2 ("Switching the Charging Mode"): Please report back.

01-24-2015, 09:48 PM	#5
mcrogner New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chico, California Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thanks all! I let it rest for about 10 minutes and then it began working again. No idea, as I hadn't fired it more than twice tonight before it stopped working. Hopefully isn't a long term issue, but seems to be fixed for now.

01-25-2015, 01:54 AM	#6
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Eneloops seem to work well, since they hold a constant voltage until just before they're completely discharged. Many electronics respond better to this than a gradually sinking voltage. I'd certainly test your battery voltage to see where they're at.