Repair options for elderly Vivitar 365 potato-masher flash

digital_archivist

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I'm somewhat inspired by the 'Electronic flash for Crown Graphic' thread in the Large Format section here. So I dug out my circa 1978 Vivitar 365 flash (random web photo of a 365 below), attached it to my Crown Graphic, and shot some test images using my LomoGraflok. It actually worked fine; however, after repeated triggering, I detect a faint 'electronics' odor.

Does anyone know a reliable place to have my 365 serviced? Or should I just use it occasionally until it dies, then pick up a replacement on the auction site.



 

ic-racer

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Nice flash. What is wrong with it, battery problem?
 
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digital_archivist

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Nothing so far. But I know that vintage electrolytic capacitors (for example) can fail - sometimes spectacularly. I don't want to ruin my flash.
 

gone

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Never mind the flash, look at that lens! It's unusual to see a Nikkormat dwarfed by an 85mm lens.
 

MattKing

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I'm just trying to get comfortable with describing that flash as "elderly" .....
You might see if you can find someone who works on "vintage" stereo equipment.
 

xkaes

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Who knows where that smell could be coming from. What are YOU using as a power source?

I'd use your "potato masher" until whatever is causing the "problem" "dies". Depending on what "dies", you might be able to fix it. If not, these great "elderly" "blow torches" sell for peanuts on EBAY. I've ended up with more Vivitar 283 flashes than I will ever need because they are so CHEAP -- little more than the cost of shipping.
 
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digital_archivist

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@MattKing: I bought the flash new in 1978. People at work think I’m elderly. So…

@xkaes: I’m just running off the low-voltage battery pack (eight C-cells). I’ve long-since lost the NiCad pack and charger. I do have the AC adapter somewhere in my clutter; not sure if that would make a difference.

Running it until it dies makes sense. I just hate to have something that works damaged because I was too cheap to fix it properly.

I do have experience repairing old electronics (oldest being a mid-30s Philco where the capacitors were buried in tar. That was interesting). I’m not so sure about disassembling the flash without damage, and troubleshooting the Thyristor circuit.

Then again, it’s not like I have much to lose.
 

cramej

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The Sunpak 544 would be a good successor. They can be found for under $50.
 

xkaes

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I asked about the power supply because that might be the problem. Switching it might answer that question.

Anyway, there are over a dozen on EBAY right now starting at under $10 -- in various condition & with various accessories, of course.

Given the competition, it should be EZ to get a GREAT deal.

I won't be bidding -- although the 365 is a winner, I've got enough 283 BLOW TORCHES to last a lifetime. With one 283 on the camera hot shoe, and another on a camera handle/bracket I've got even more power than the 365, Sunpak 544, Minolta 450, Metz..... etc.
 

Fujicaman1957

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There's a brand new in the box 365 on Ebay for $ 19.95 plus shipping as of this AM. No LVP-2 or sensor or cord, but you have all that already.
 
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digital_archivist

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That's pretty cool! I understand that it probably has the same issues from deteriorated capacitors as mine does. But a new flash as a spare is a nice thing to have.

Thanks for the tip!
 

Jude the Obscure

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cramej said:
The Sunpak 544 would be a good successor. They can be found for under $50.
Click to expand...
True, but I got near mint one for $15 (equivalent). Ebay is a buyer's market at present, and while some sellers still expect to get what they would have 10 years ago, you can easily find better bargains, especially with a bit of patience and watching.

As for the Vivitar 365, there is one on UK Ebay at the moment for £19.99 and open to offers, still boxed. A repair, if you can find anyone to do it, would cost far more than that. I'd rate the Sunpak better because the 365 needs an extra module to control the manual output (like a 283) and has a rather high trigger voltage (48v).
 

Helge

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Wouldn’t worry about the capacitor going. If it has reasonable charging time it’s only going to become better by being used. Capacitors of that vintage and size either (after being re-formed) usually either work or don’t. And the plastic will contain a popping capacitor adequately.
All of my 283 and 285 (around 15 in all. They where given at away at a point) charge perfectly.
 
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digital_archivist

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Thanks again to all who responded. Thanks especially to Fujicaman1957 for the tip about the new 365 on eBay. I purchased it, reformed the capacitor, and it works perfectly. I also reformed my existing 365's capacitor and it seems to be working properly once more.

As for a Sunpak (or a Metz, or whatever): I have most of the accessories for my 365 from when it was new, including the Varipower module and the umbrella. I'm looking forward to using it all with my Crown Graphic. If I get any interesting shots, I'll be sure to post them.
 

Fujicaman1957

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Let me know if you want the plans for my home made high voltage power pack for the 365.

With it full power manual recycling times are 2-3 seconds.
 
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digital_archivist

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Fujicaman1957 said:
Let me know if you want the plans for my home made high voltage power pack for the 365.

With it full power manual recycling times are 2-3 seconds.
Click to expand...

That would be great! I still have a good SB5 (or whatever the AC adapter was), but (as you mentioned in your thread) it takes forever to cycle.

Thanks!
 

wiltw

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digital_archivist said:
That's pretty cool! I understand that it probably has the same issues from deteriorated capacitors as mine does. But a new flash as a spare is a nice thing to have.

Thanks for the tip!
Click to expand...

One merely needs to POWER UP the flash, and let it idle without use for about an hour, in order to 're-form' the capacitor, particularly the main (power) capacitor. That is a process that many flash manufacturers recommended to owners in their user manuals.
I recall that my very first electronic flash was a Honeywell Strobonar unit and re-forming the capacitor was something recommended as a periodic maintenance procedure, and that was back in 1966! Each manufacturer I have encountered over the decades would recommend different intervals to perform this maintenance...some recommend every quarter, some recommended every 6 or 12 months...the Honeywell Strobonar 'rejuvenating the capacitor 'was 'after 4-5 days of non-use'! I do my many lash units (both studio flash and on-camera flash) every 6 months as a routine.
 
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