Electronic flash for Crown Graphic

[campy51]

Like this. It is a Honeywell Auto Strobonar 700 I picked up inexpensively and rebuilt the battery pack with sub-C NiCad cells, easily available. Recalling the context of the period when Honeywell was marketing these models, Graflexes were still being used regularly. The Strobonars were a drop-in replacement on those cameras, as long as they had more modern shutters with a X sync. The Graflite mounting rings work perfectly for them.

Do you have a link for the batteries and do they just pop in or is wiring required? Which Strobonar would be better? 700 or 800 series?

 

[Montegoblue]

I don't recall where I got them. however I did make a point of finding good ones is an ocean of worthless Chinese junk, which abounds. I had to solder them up of course, in a configuration duplicating the original pack, so they would fit the holder properly. They're not just drop in. As I recall the 800 series was all 510V batteries, which are neither available or even reasonable to use. A 682S is one made under the name Rollei after Honeywell sold the name to them. It uses ordinarry AA batteries and is a thyristor model. The 700's were old style non thyristor. But what did I care? If the flash holds 70-80 flashes per charge, I need neither quick recycling or hundreds of flashes with a Graphic camera. I can't remember if mine is a 700 or a 710. Mine has the strobo eye built into the actual flash lens, with no provision for remote strobo eye. I bought it because I knew 1) I was handy enough to make up a new pack, 2) that sub C NiCad's are still available, and 3) being NiCad allowed me to use the original charger, which I would't be able to do with other kinds of rechargeable battery chemistry. Now I'm happy and it works fine. And my Graflite rings fit it perfectly.

 

[campy51]

I bought a Sunpak 555 from KEH but I am going to return it due to it flexes too much when carrying it by the handle. I'm afraid it will snap because it's made of plastic. I have a Strobonar 770 coming but don't know if it works. It was $10 plus shipping and will try new batteries.

 

[campy51]

I got the strobonar to work with ac cord after cleaning the corroded contacts. The batteries won't charge so I ordered new ones.