Help please with Metz 60CT1

[lofty ideas]

Capacity

Also, the two Metz batteries I have are 3.8Ah. Does that matter?

 

[billythekidd]

can someone repost links to the batteries, given the age of this thread the links are no longer working... I need to buy 2 replacement batteries for my 60 CT-1 and don't know where to start. Thanks!

 

[Anaxagore]

can someone repost links to the batteries, given the age of this thread the links are no longer working... I need to buy 2 replacement batteries for my 60 CT-1 and don't know where to start. Thanks!

Given that Metz unfortunately went bankrupt some years ago (kind of like DHW/DW Photo, restarting then closing for good, with only the name being used by another company to sell cheap stuff under a reputable name), I doubt it is possible nowadays to purchase anything like that easily, except if someone made their specialty to sell Metz-compatible batteries.

 

[Ian C]

Here is a solution that some Metz CT60, CT60-2, and CT60-4 owners have used.

https://ausgeknipst.de/en/products/...t-4-6v-dryfit-6038-6039-a-605-4-2k-b09v1tlmh3

Note: As an old flash unit ages, its large capacitor might have degraded to the point that it no longer holds a meaningful charge or have become shorted. In either case, the flash won’t work unless you can find the appropriate capacitor and replace it. The replacement must fit inside the unit in addition to having the correct charge storing capacity and voltage rating as high or higher than the original capacitor.

A capacitor can be discharged so that it can be safely handled and then tested with a multimeter to determine its condition.

Also, flash units contain a variety of other electronic components, any of which might have degraded beyond use, preventing the flash from functioning

 

[Chan Tran]

I just solder 2 wires to the terminal inside the battery compartment and connect the battery pack I build myself using 2 LiFePO4 32700 cells. Recycle a bit faster and last longer than original battery

 

[billythekidd]

I just solder 2 wires to the terminal inside the battery compartment and connect the battery pack I build myself using 2 LiFePO4 32700 cells. Recycle a bit faster and last longer than original battery

thanks for the idea... can you share photos of how you did this?

 

[billythekidd]

Here is a solution that some Metz CT60, CT60-2, and CT60-4 owners have used.

https://ausgeknipst.de/en/products/...t-4-6v-dryfit-6038-6039-a-605-4-2k-b09v1tlmh3

Note: As an old flash unit ages, its large capacitor might have degraded to the point that it no longer holds a meaningful charge or have become shorted. In either case, the flash won’t work unless you can find the appropriate capacitor and replace it. The replacement must fit inside the unit in addition to having the correct charge storing capacity and voltage rating as high or higher than the original capacitor.

A capacitor can be discharged so that it can be safely handled and then tested with a multimeter to determine its condition.

Also, flash units contain a variety of other electronic components, any of which might have degraded beyond use, preventing the flash from functioning

thanks! At $128 usd this is out of my price range for 2 of them (sigh) but would otherwise be a great solution.

 

[Chan Tran]

thanks for the idea... can you share photos of how you did this?

Yes I will do it tonight.

 

[Chan Tran]

This is how it looks like. The pack just fit into the compartment and when you close the cover it wont rattle. I bought the batteries from Amazon

Amazon.com: Palowextra 6 Pack 32700 LiFePO4 Lithium Battery with Holder, 35A Discharge 3.2V High Power 7200mAh Lithium ion Rechargeable Cell with DIY Nickel Sheets : Toys & Games

Amazon.com: Palowextra 6 Pack 32700 LiFePO4 Lithium Battery with Holder, 35A Discharge 3.2V High Power 7200mAh Lithium ion Rechargeable Cell with DIY Nickel Sheets : Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

 

[billythekidd]

This is how it looks like. The pack just fit into the compartment and when you close the cover it wont rattle. I bought the batteries from Amazon

Amazon.com: Palowextra 6 Pack 32700 LiFePO4 Lithium Battery with Holder, 35A Discharge 3.2V High Power 7200mAh Lithium ion Rechargeable Cell with DIY Nickel Sheets : Toys & Games

Amazon.com: Palowextra 6 Pack 32700 LiFePO4 Lithium Battery with Holder, 35A Discharge 3.2V High Power 7200mAh Lithium ion Rechargeable Cell with DIY Nickel Sheets : Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

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Thanks, this helps. So how are the 2 batteries connected to each other? Did you solder the blue and white wired into the metz unit? How are those blue and white wires connected? Thx!

 

[Chan Tran]

Thanks, this helps. So how are the 2 batteries connected to each other? Did you solder the blue and white wired into the metz unit? How are those blue and white wires connected? Thx!

The batteries have tabs so you cut the tabs to the right length and solder them together in series. I solder the blue and white wires to the terminal in the battery compartment. I don't like doing this but can reverse what I did. It's not hard to clean up the solder if you ever remove the wires. I use the WAGO 221 level nuts to do the connection so that I can remove the battery for charging. The charger that came with the Metz works OK provided that you don't charge it for more than 12 hours. I use a different charger so that it would shutdown when the battery is full. But when I travel the Metz charger works fine with the battery in place.

The cleanest way to do this is if you or someone can 3D print a box exactly the same size as the original battery and just use 2 flathead bolts for the terminals to mate with the terminals inside the battery compartment.

 

[billythekidd]

The batteries have tabs so you cut the tabs to the right length and solder them together in series. I solder the blue and white wires to the terminal in the battery compartment. I don't like doing this but can reverse what I did. It's not hard to clean up the solder if you ever remove the wires. I use the WAGO 221 level nuts to do the connection so that I can remove the battery for charging. The charger that came with the Metz works OK provided that you don't charge it for more than 12 hours. I use a different charger so that it would shutdown when the battery is full. But when I travel the Metz charger works fine with the battery in place.

The cleanest way to do this is if you or someone can 3D print a box exactly the same size as the original battery and just use 2 flathead bolts for the terminals to mate with the terminals inside the battery compartment.

I don't know much about how to use 3D printers, but if I had a template I could go to the library and use their printer. I especially like this solution, but can't find anything in the USA and the cost for the one shown here is way too expensive, especially when factoring in shipping. https://ausgeknipst.de/en/products/...t-4-6v-dryfit-6038-6039-a-605-4-2k-b09v1tlmh3

or this: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/23499207382...37b&pg=4481478&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851

 

[Chan Tran]

I don't know much about how to use 3D printers, but if I had a template I could go to the library and use their printer. I especially like this solution, but can't find anything in the USA and the cost for the one shown here is way too expensive, especially when factoring in shipping. https://ausgeknipst.de/en/products/...t-4-6v-dryfit-6038-6039-a-605-4-2k-b09v1tlmh3

or this: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/234992073825?_trkparms=itmf=1&aid=1110006&rkt=10&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&asc=20220405142716&mech=1&algv=SimOrganicCassiniWithToraRecalls&pmt=0&amclksrc=ITM&sd=234838866498&sid=AQALAAAAEI+ROxAZJVOBNjRedO6BmqE=&itm=234992073825&noa=1&ao=1&rk=2&pid=101506&b=1&mehot=none&lsid=146&meid=69a83c6e3b8347629c1ab8890eaab37b&pg=4481478&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851

I don't mind the cost so I emailed that guy and ask him if he could 3D print the box the way I wanted but he refused. I don't like his solution because the the 10AA batteries don't work as well as my 2 cells pack.

 

[blee1996]

If you are into DIY, you can also find one of those 6V 5Ah SLA batteries. But the newer batteries are slightly wider and won't fit inside directly. So you need to modify the casing of the original power pack a bit to fit it in. Also you need to do a bit of manual wiring to connect the two terminals. It won't look nice, but works. And the original charging circuit should work too.

 

[billythekidd]

If you are into DIY, you can also find one of those 6V 5Ah SLA batteries. But the newer batteries are slightly wider and won't fit inside directly. So you need to modify the casing of the original power pack a bit to fit it in. Also you need to do a bit of manual wiring to connect the two terminals. It won't look nice, but works. And the original charging circuit should work too.

any chance you can send some photos of this solution, including the mods to the power pack? I do a lot of DIY stuff!

 

[billythekidd]

I don't mind the cost so I emailed that guy and ask him if he could 3D print the box the way I wanted but he refused. I don't like his solution because the the 10AA batteries don't work as well as my 2 cells pack.

oh, OK, that's good to know... thanks!