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Ensign flash not working??

marcusverger

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Oct 20, 2010
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I have an Ensign 'Synchroflash' flash unit,1950's, made by Ross Ensign, Clapham Common North Side, London SW4.

Tried it witha few cameras as it has a PC socket. Nothing !

It is not the battery, as I have an AGFA flash, same vintage, transfered the same battery and is working fine...

So, does this mean the capacitor inside the unit has died ?? If so, how do I get it working again ??

Any thoughts most welcome.

Thanks,
 
Duplicate threads combined - it isn't necessary to post in multiple sub-forums.
Best of luck getting the answers you seek.
 
If not charged regularly capacitors fail, and as Ross Ensign ceased trading in a severe recession in 1961 it's at least 61 years old. A lot of UK photographic manufacturers ceased trading around then.

I assume it's the flash bulb holder.

Ian
 
Thanks Ian, appreciate your help.

If it is a dead capacitor, how do I get it working or even gat a replacement for it?
 
MattKing said:
Duplicate threads combined - it isn't necessary to post in multiple sub-forums.
Best of luck getting the answers you seek.
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt, was just trying to reach as many as I could!
 
I never saw a capacitator offered at a hardware store. But at electronics supplies store. Which now practically only exist on the web.

Alternatively you could modify the circuit to make it battery only.
 
I did see electronic components in a hardware store in Canada not that long ago, but it was a large two level store, nothing like the dwindling number of small hardware sores in the UK and the rest of Europe. There are very few electronic stores these days either. Tandy/Radio Shack disappeared here a few years ago, then Maplins went bankrupt.

Either buy a capacitor online or take one from a broken flash bulb unit.

Ian
 
Thanks AgX !!

Ian, I like your suggestion about getting a new/old one from a broken unit. I genuinely hadn't thought of that!

Will see what I can find.
 
Have just discovered what's wrong with the flash unit - the wires in the PC socket/connector (?) where it joins to the camera, have come broken/snapped.

Will need to get this fixed.

Any suggestions on how to get this done most welcome.

Thanks,
 
Get yourself a snychro cable out of a rummage box or so. Never mind the type, as long one end got a male-PC connector. Cut the unusable connector off and solder this end in your flash, after having desoldered the broken cable. If this is within your technical scope.
If not, just cut both, old and new cable, by half, deislolate both ends end connect the four resultuing ends by means of a 2-pole terminal end, you might have at home, for hooking-up some home luminair to the ceiling.
 
A bit late in the day for safety advice.
Electrolytic capacitors can build up a charge if left for a time, even if there is no battery fitted.
Avoid touching the terminals to prevent a shock.
Large electrolytic capacitors when kept as stock spares should be stored with a piece of fuse wire shorting out the terminals, this stops the build up of a charge. They can give you a painful electrical bite, mostly when you are least expecting it.
Ask a decent electrician about capacitors and safety.
 
  1. Sometimes, one can 're-form' the capacitor by turning on power and just leaving it on for over an hour...the capacitor can regain its ability to store an electrical charge...if your ready light on the flash lights up, it is storing a charge!
  2. If you seek a replacement capacitor, you MUST match the Voltage rating (or exceed the Votage rating) and the Capacitance rating (microFarads, or mFd) of the original capacitor.
  3. As suggested, the synch cord itself might have a broken wire...the flash unit should fire (assuming the Ready light is lit) if you simply connect the center Pin in the PC connector to the surrounding metal collar of the PC connector, or when you press the Open Flash button on the flash unit.
 
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