Both SB600s dead. How can this be

[mark]

I own two used SB600s. They both worked a few months ago. Tonight they did not work. I took the batteries out, put them in the cases and now nothing. They are not over used, in fact under used.

How is this possible?

 

[Eric Rose]

Leave them turned on for awhile, maybe the capacitor just needs to be reformed.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Yep, sounds like the capacitors need to be reformed. Crazy as it sounds, once per month I put batteries in all my flash units, let them charge for 10 minutes, then pop each one. The reason it's crazy is that I don't use flash in my photography at all, but I have some really nice flash units. Several of the manuals suggested to do this if the flash isn't going to be used for a while.

 

[AgX]

The majority of flashes after rests of decades turn on within a minute. I experienced only few flashes that needed some minutes, or failed completely. And none after a use a few months ago.
And here such happened the same time with two flashes (though of same model). Strange...
Unless you found both not working after few seconds and then prematurely turned them off.

Something else would be, turning on quite fast, but not reaching full capacity.
Also many modern flashes turn off automatically after a few minutes, thus long charging for forming as with the old ones no longer is not possible without hassle.

 

[ic-racer]

What does not work? Won't power on? Won't charge? Won't flash?

 

[jim10219]

What does not work? Won't power on? Won't charge? Won't flash?

Indeed. Let's start by defining the problem. Can you trigger the flash with the test button? Does the LCD come on when you power it up? Does it make a whining sound?

If it is indeed the capacitors, I'd have them replaced by a professional. You can't properly reform a capacitor in while it's still in a flash circuit. It ramps up the voltage way too quickly. They need to be reformed slowly to avoid damage. Plus, the capacitor might be leaking fluid everywhere anyway, and you won't know that until you open it up. And they can explode and damage nearby components or worse. It's best to get a bad one out rather than try to bandage it up and send it along. Electrolytic capacitors usually only last about 20 years. I've seen some last 60 and I've seen many fail after 3. So replacing electrolytic capacitors in old electronics is considered routine maintenance in most circles. It's a job you could do yourself, but you'd have to be good at soldering, know how to orient and order a proper replacement cap, and know how to safely discharge the old capacitor. If you don't properly discharge the old cap, and perhaps the new one, you could really hurt yourself. So I recommend having a professional do it, or at least someone who knows how to safely do that.

 

[mark]

Should have been more specific. Sorry folks, I was frustrated.

One will not turn on at all and the other will only turn on after I swivel the head once of twice. I had them both out and working in November then put them away with no batteries. I grabbed some fresh batteries yesterday, put them in (correctly, I triple checked things when they would not work) and nothing on one. My son asked if the head swiveled so I showed him. That one powered up after that.

Flash 1-zero power at all no matter what I do even with a different set of batteries.
Flash 2-Powered up after swiveling the head. I turned it off, then powered it off then on again with no problem several times and did not have to swivel the head. I then thought maybe I got dud batteries in Flash one so took the batteries out of 2 and put them in one. Still nothing. Put them back in two and nothing again.swiveled head once, nothing, swiveled head several times and it powered up. Then it worked just like before on/off/on no problem. Removed the batteries, put them in, same issue.

I am the only one in my camera bags, the flashes stay in their pouches unless needed, and have not been dropped.

 

[MattKing]

Maybe they were US government flashes, and have been furloughed.
More seriously, clean the contacts - aggressively.

 

[jim10219]

Clean the battery contacts on the inside and battery cover and make sure the batteries you are using are actually putting out 1.5v or more. Also try working the power button a bit. It may have built up some corrosion.

Otherwise it sounds to me like you might have a loose wire or bad solder joing in the one that comes on when you swivel the head. The other might need further digging around on the inside. If the above doesn't help, I'm afraid they'll probably need some professional help.

 

[jtk]

Given that both are dead, that means both have the same battery problem OR that they've somehow destroyed themselves through contact with water, salt, and/or the same metal (e.g. a wire).

 

[mark]

I’ll clean the contacts but they look just fine.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

This is really odd. From fully working in November till now isn't long enough for capacitors to deteriorate by natural means, so I think it's something else. How were you using these two flash units last time? One on the camera and the other a slave, or what? I assume the light output for the exposure was ok when you looked at the photos.

Hard to think of what could've taken them both out - although maybe a clue from swivelling the head. Sounds like maybe corrosion on switch or battery contacts due to environmental factors maybe. Are you in a damp or marine-like environment?

 

[AgX]

The majority of flashes after rests of decades turn on within a minute. I experienced only few flashes that needed some minutes, or failed completely.

Just for the records: this is for electronic flashes that take primary batteries or hang on the mains. Flashes that got a NiCads have a further source ouf trouble.

 

[mark]

This is really odd. From fully working in November till now isn't long enough for capacitors to deteriorate by natural means, so I think it's something else. How were you using these two flash units last time? One on the camera and the other a slave, or what? I assume the light output for the exposure was ok when you looked at the photos.

Hard to think of what could've taken them both out - although maybe a clue from swivelling the head. Sounds like maybe corrosion on switch or battery contacts due to environmental factors maybe. Are you in a damp or marine-like environment?

I live in the desert and have not traveled to any humid climates. I agree it is weird. I'm e-mailing nikon to see how much it would be to diagnose and repair. Hopefully not more than new flashes.

Then again the manual Flashpoint Streak light with battery pack is cheaper than a new comparable ttl SB700.

 

[jim10219]

Unless they're under warranty, I wouldn't go through Nikon for repair. They'll likely be a lot more expensive than a local electronics or camera repairman. I've repaired a lot of flashes myself, and I haven't even needed a schematic to do it (though that would have been very helpful for one particular case where the flash was modified by a previous owner and I was trying to get it back to it's original configuration). Flash circuits aren't usually too terribly complicated. At least not compared to most of today's modern gizmos.

 

[Tim Stapp]

I've had great luck with the Yungnuo YN685 speedlights. I've replaced my SB700 and added a number of the Yungnuo units for my wedding photography. I can purchase three of the Yungnuo units for the cost of one of the SB700s.

 

[Tim Stapp]

Have you used the batteries in something else to verify that the batteries are good????

 

[mark]

Have you used the batteries in something else to verify that the batteries are good????

That was my first thought. Two flashes dead at the same time and a new pack or batteries, so I tested them all and all were fine.

 

[Kodiak]

I have Leica SF20 and METZ 40-3i and Ni9kon SB800. Did not use them for past 10 years or more. Put battery in and all is fine.