Vivitar 285HV Zoom Thyristor Troubleshooting

Imp · 08-22-2018, 02:05 PM

Just this day I was using the flash on my K-3 to take some product shots. I left the setup aside for half a minute, while the flash was charged, and then suddenly it discharged. After that point, it continues to randomly discharge, sometimes in bursts - it no longer fires when directed by the camera, and the manual release button on the flash to make it fire either.

Hoping someone here would have a quick diagnosis what's wrong with the connections/capacitor!

Thanks

**BigMackCam** · 08-22-2018, 02:59 PM

I have to ask, are you sure that flash is safe on the K-3 (due to voltages)??

I believe some of the 285HVs work with lower voltages, but are you sure yours is one of them?

I would be far more concerned for the body than the flash unit

vonBaloney · 08-22-2018, 03:05 PM

Yeah, don't use those on the body without a safe-sync. Anyway, sounds like it has gone bad unless you just have a stuck button or something. (Try fresh batteries.) Although they are real work-horses -- do they ever actually go bad? I have a bunch of 283s and 285s and 5600s -- they all have always worked great.

stevebrot · 08-22-2018, 03:09 PM

It sounds like it is dead. If it is the recent model Vivitar 285HV (Vivitar in label only), it should be safe on the K-3, otherwise, I might suggest checking the K-3 to see if it might be fried as well.

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 08-22-2018 at 03:13 PM. Reason: Accuracy

vonBaloney · 08-22-2018, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It sounds like it is dead. If it is the current model Vivitar 285HV (Vivitar in label only and sold new by B&H and others), it should be safe on the K-3, otherwise, I might suggest checking the K-3 to see if it might be fried as well.

They still make them? I wouldn't know about the quality now. I was assuming it was an old one -- mine are all decades old and still going strong.

stevebrot · 08-22-2018, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

They still make them? I wouldn't know about the quality now. I was assuming it was an old one -- mine are all decades old and still going strong.

There was a recent model flash with the same name, but not the same flash. The original disappeared many years ago.

Edit: ...or I may be mistaken. It is my memory that the current holders of the Vivitar name were selling such a flash in the recent past. B&H has a product page, but lists it as discontinued. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Flash.html

Steve

Not a Number · 08-22-2018, 03:23 PM

Does it only flash spontaneously when mount on the hot shoe or even off camera? If the former, there may be short in the flash shoe. If the latter, the test button may be stuck or there is a short in the foot or elsewhere. The sensor and power control unit used to be removable on these flashes. If it is, pull it out and re-seat it.

These units are plentiful and low priced enough that it would be easy to replace.

Kelvin 5500 · 08-22-2018, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

There was a recent model flash with the same name, but not the same flash. The original disappeared many years ago.

Edit: ...or I may be mistaken. It is my memory that the current holders of the Vivitar name were selling such a flash in the recent past. B&H has a product page, but lists it as discontinued. Vivitar 285HV Flash 233965 B&H Photo Video

Yes, Steve, you are are correct. There was a "reintroduced" Vivitar 285HV flash that was sold by B&H for a few years. I owned three of them and they all proved to be unreliable. One was received DOA and was replaced by B&H with another that failed in less than a year. I replaced the second one and it failed in a few months. It is easy to identify the unreliable "reintroduced" flashes because they are marked "made in China." The original Vivitar flashes, which are proven work horses, are marked "made in Japan" or "made in Korea."

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I have to ask, are you sure that flash is safe on the K-3 (due to voltages)??

I believe some of the 285HVs work with lower voltages, but are you sure yours is one of them?

Vivitar 285HV flashes have a triggering voltage of 6 volts or less which is safe for use when connected to a digital camera. The predecessor 285 model (not marked HV) have a high triggering voltage which can damage a digital camera.

Dennis

**BigMackCam** · 08-22-2018, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by Kelvin 5500

Vivitar 285HV flashes have a triggering voltage of 6 volts or less which is safe for use when connected to a digital camera. The predecessor 285 model (not marked HV) have a high triggering voltage which can damage a digital camera.

Good to know

The limit of my knowledge is what I've read on a couple of websites, such as: A Concise Guide to the Vivitar 285 and Vivitar 285 HV and Cactus KF36

That website implies care should be taken with anything but the later models of the 285HV - but if you're certain about the voltages, that's great

Kelvin 5500 · 08-22-2018, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Good to know

The limit of my knowledge is what I've read on a couple of websites, such as: A Concise Guide to the Vivitar 285 and Vivitar 285 HV and Cactus KF36

That website implies care should be taken with anything but the later models of the 285HV - but if you're certain about the voltages, that's great

Over the past 12 plus years, I have extensively read articles, reviews and user forum posts about safe triggering voltages for digital cameras and never encountered someone reporting that a Vivitar 285HV has damaged their digital camera. Having said this, "better safe than sorry" is a good philosophy to follow. When in doubt, use a multi-meter to check the triggering voltage of your flash. Although Pentax has been non-committal in providing information on maximum safe triggering voltage for their digital cameras, from what I've read, anything below 10 volts should be okay with Pentax digital cameras.

Dennis

Not a Number · 08-22-2018, 11:43 PM

I have a 285 that I bought in the early mid 80s. The trigger voltage is around 6 volts. I think its only the ones made before 1981-2 that are a problem.

**blumoon722** · 08-23-2018, 04:32 AM

This site lists the voltage of lots of flashes:
Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

Imp · 12-26-2019, 08:23 PM

Hello everyone! Thanks for the feedback and help

I wanted to share that I left the flash alone for a long while, and now when I try it out it works again. Go figure. I don't really trust it for a photo shoot, but at least I've got something. Does this change anyone's diagnosis?

Not a Number · 12-27-2019, 07:11 AM

Form the capacitor? Instructions should be in the manual. If not with fresh batteries turn it on wait 10-30 seconds after flash is fully charged and then trigger flash at full power. Repeat 3-4 times. When turning off the flash leave it fully charged instead of discharging the flash.

08-22-2018, 02:05 PM	#1
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	Vivitar 285HV Zoom Thyristor Troubleshooting Just this day I was using the flash on my K-3 to take some product shots. I left the setup aside for half a minute, while the flash was charged, and then suddenly it discharged. After that point, it continues to randomly discharge, sometimes in bursts - it no longer fires when directed by the camera, and the manual release button on the flash to make it fire either. Hoping someone here would have a quick diagnosis what's wrong with the connections/capacitor! Thanks

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08-22-2018, 02:59 PM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	I have to ask, are you sure that flash is safe on the K-3 (due to voltages)?? I believe some of the 285HVs work with lower voltages, but are you sure yours is one of them? I would be far more concerned for the body than the flash unit

08-22-2018, 03:05 PM	#3
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Yeah, don't use those on the body without a safe-sync. Anyway, sounds like it has gone bad unless you just have a stuck button or something. (Try fresh batteries.) Although they are real work-horses -- do they ever actually go bad? I have a bunch of 283s and 285s and 5600s -- they all have always worked great.

08-22-2018, 03:09 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	It sounds like it is dead. If it is the recent model Vivitar 285HV (Vivitar in label only), it should be safe on the K-3, otherwise, I might suggest checking the K-3 to see if it might be fried as well. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 08-22-2018 at 03:13 PM. Reason: Accuracy

08-22-2018, 03:12 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by stevebrot It sounds like it is dead. If it is the current model Vivitar 285HV (Vivitar in label only and sold new by B&H and others), it should be safe on the K-3, otherwise, I might suggest checking the K-3 to see if it might be fried as well. They still make them? I wouldn't know about the quality now. I was assuming it was an old one -- mine are all decades old and still going strong.

08-22-2018, 03:14 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by vonBaloney They still make them? I wouldn't know about the quality now. I was assuming it was an old one -- mine are all decades old and still going strong. There was a recent model flash with the same name, but not the same flash. The original disappeared many years ago. Edit: ...or I may be mistaken. It is my memory that the current holders of the Vivitar name were selling such a flash in the recent past. B&H has a product page, but lists it as discontinued. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Flash.html Steve

08-22-2018, 03:23 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Does it only flash spontaneously when mount on the hot shoe or even off camera? If the former, there may be short in the flash shoe. If the latter, the test button may be stuck or there is a short in the foot or elsewhere. The sensor and power control unit used to be removable on these flashes. If it is, pull it out and re-seat it. These units are plentiful and low priced enough that it would be easy to replace.

08-22-2018, 04:04 PM	#8
Kelvin 5500 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA Posts: 98	Originally posted by stevebrot There was a recent model flash with the same name, but not the same flash. The original disappeared many years ago. Edit: ...or I may be mistaken. It is my memory that the current holders of the Vivitar name were selling such a flash in the recent past. B&H has a product page, but lists it as discontinued. Vivitar 285HV Flash 233965 B&H Photo Video Yes, Steve, you are are correct. There was a "reintroduced" Vivitar 285HV flash that was sold by B&H for a few years. I owned three of them and they all proved to be unreliable. One was received DOA and was replaced by B&H with another that failed in less than a year. I replaced the second one and it failed in a few months. It is easy to identify the unreliable "reintroduced" flashes because they are marked "made in China." The original Vivitar flashes, which are proven work horses, are marked "made in Japan" or "made in Korea." Originally posted by BigMackCam I have to ask, are you sure that flash is safe on the K-3 (due to voltages)?? I believe some of the 285HVs work with lower voltages, but are you sure yours is one of them? Vivitar 285HV flashes have a triggering voltage of 6 volts or less which is safe for use when connected to a digital camera. The predecessor 285 model (not marked HV) have a high triggering voltage which can damage a digital camera. Dennis

08-22-2018, 04:28 PM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	Originally posted by Kelvin 5500 Vivitar 285HV flashes have a triggering voltage of 6 volts or less which is safe for use when connected to a digital camera. The predecessor 285 model (not marked HV) have a high triggering voltage which can damage a digital camera. Good to know The limit of my knowledge is what I've read on a couple of websites, such as: A Concise Guide to the Vivitar 285 and Vivitar 285 HV and Cactus KF36 That website implies care should be taken with anything but the later models of the 285HV - but if you're certain about the voltages, that's great

08-22-2018, 05:51 PM	#10
Kelvin 5500 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA Posts: 98	Originally posted by BigMackCam Good to know The limit of my knowledge is what I've read on a couple of websites, such as: A Concise Guide to the Vivitar 285 and Vivitar 285 HV and Cactus KF36 That website implies care should be taken with anything but the later models of the 285HV - but if you're certain about the voltages, that's great Over the past 12 plus years, I have extensively read articles, reviews and user forum posts about safe triggering voltages for digital cameras and never encountered someone reporting that a Vivitar 285HV has damaged their digital camera. Having said this, "better safe than sorry" is a good philosophy to follow. When in doubt, use a multi-meter to check the triggering voltage of your flash. Although Pentax has been non-committal in providing information on maximum safe triggering voltage for their digital cameras, from what I've read, anything below 10 volts should be okay with Pentax digital cameras. Dennis

08-22-2018, 11:43 PM	#11
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I have a 285 that I bought in the early mid 80s. The trigger voltage is around 6 volts. I think its only the ones made before 1981-2 that are a problem.

08-23-2018, 04:32 AM	#12
blumoon722 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 424	This site lists the voltage of lots of flashes: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

12-26-2019, 08:23 PM	#13
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749 Original Poster	Hello everyone! Thanks for the feedback and help I wanted to share that I left the flash alone for a long while, and now when I try it out it works again. Go figure. I don't really trust it for a photo shoot, but at least I've got something. Does this change anyone's diagnosis?

12-27-2019, 07:11 AM	#14
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Form the capacitor? Instructions should be in the manual. If not with fresh batteries turn it on wait 10-30 seconds after flash is fully charged and then trigger flash at full power. Repeat 3-4 times. When turning off the flash leave it fully charged instead of discharging the flash.