Camera flash (vivitar 560D) testing and repair

[Jim Witte]

Hi,

I've got three non-working Vivitar 560D flashes that I want to try to
repair.. What are the most likely components to fail (it looks like
there're at least 6 capcitors in it). Is it possible to test components
in-circuit without removing them (I generally thought it not)?

Thanks,

Jim Witte
Indiana University Computer Science
[email protected]

 

[gothika]

Hi,

I've got three non-working Vivitar 560D flashes that I want to try to
repair.. What are the most likely components to fail (it looks like
there're at least 6 capcitors in it). Is it possible to test components
in-circuit without removing them (I generally thought it not)?

Thanks,

Jim Witte
Indiana University Computer Science
[email protected]

The main problems I've found in Vivtar flashes was either the trigger
coil or the main capacitor.
The cap is very pricey and hard to find.
Vivitar charges almost as much as a new flash for one.(About 30 bucks
for a 283/285 cap.)
Do a google for camera repair/restoration groups or clubs to find the
latest on DIY photo repair.

http://www.aperture.net/

http://www.photoshopper.com/forum/flash.html

http://db.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=photo.net


These are a few old links from my bookmarks, I can dig up more if you
need.

Try the graflex users group:

graflex.net or graflex.org

 

[WbSearch]

I had a similar situation with 3 SubSea underwater strobes, except the company
has been out of business for over 15 years, no information to be had. Anyway,
first thing is to determine what part of the circuit to attack. For instance,
does the strobe oscillator "squeal" and charge the main capacitors but not
discharge them? Or is are the units totally dead? I was lucky in that one of
my units would charge, but not flash. Used that to compare components to the
totally dead one. Got that one to charge and it flashed. I then used that to
compare components to the first one, and so on. Good luck.

 

[WbSearch]

Another thing I tought of is to check the batteries or temporarily wire some in
the circuit. Are they totally dead?