Replacement battery for Metz 60 CT-4 (Drifit 6038)
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The slow charging may be due to old capacitors, and not just the battery.
I did a DIY kludge on mine. I got some plastic AA battery holders for 6 AA batteries with wire leads. These hold 6 batteries side by side. There is enough space to put 3 of these battery holders in the base unit. I wired these holders in parallel, and used alligator clips to attach them to the positive and negative leads in the base unit.
I used AA NiMH batteries (6x3=18) for the power. Since they were wired in parallel, this was nominally 7.2V (6x1.2V). This is more than the 6V of the normal drifit battery, but it doesn't seem to matter.
Be WARNED that you can't charge these NiMH batteries in the base unit, since the base unit isn't designed for these types of batteries. You'll have to remove the holders and the the NiMH battteries, and charge them in the appropriate NiMH battery chargers.
I did a DIY kludge on mine. I got some plastic AA battery holders for 6 AA batteries with wire leads. These hold 6 batteries side by side. There is enough space to put 3 of these battery holders in the base unit. I wired these holders in parallel, and used alligator clips to attach them to the positive and negative leads in the base unit.
I used AA NiMH batteries (6x3=18) for the power. Since they were wired in parallel, this was nominally 7.2V (6x1.2V). This is more than the 6V of the normal drifit battery, but it doesn't seem to matter.
Be WARNED that you can't charge these NiMH batteries in the base unit, since the base unit isn't designed for these types of batteries. You'll have to remove the holders and the the NiMH battteries, and charge them in the appropriate NiMH battery chargers.
Nice idea! I would try .
A bit update here :
I managed to get 2 x 5-AA cells case , lined these 2 packs in parallel and tried to wired up to the original battery holder. The batteries are Ikea's LADDA Ni-MH batteries since they really have 1.2V 2450mAh, and in other words the total would be 4900mAh at 6V.
But after I switched on , I can only see the red light blinks on the case, the charging sound fainting quickly within few seconds. I can't hear the constant ready sound nor the green light on the flash body. What I can see would be the red indicators (Iso, aperture, distant) lights up . One side of the batteries and the connectors got warm and soon cooled down after disconnection.
Do I have to change the power source wtich to Ni from drifit on the battery holder?
Or does my battery holder getting defective?
I managed to get 2 x 5-AA cells case , lined these 2 packs in parallel and tried to wired up to the original battery holder. The batteries are Ikea's LADDA Ni-MH batteries since they really have 1.2V 2450mAh, and in other words the total would be 4900mAh at 6V.
But after I switched on , I can only see the red light blinks on the case, the charging sound fainting quickly within few seconds. I can't hear the constant ready sound nor the green light on the flash body. What I can see would be the red indicators (Iso, aperture, distant) lights up . One side of the batteries and the connectors got warm and soon cooled down after disconnection.
Do I have to change the power source wtich to Ni from drifit on the battery holder?
Or does my battery holder getting defective?
As I stated in my original reply, the capacitors are probably in poor condition, and a good battery won't solve that. If the flash hasn't been used in several years, then it's quite likely the capacitors will at least need to be reformed. This may not even be possible, and they may need to be replaced. This probably means your flash is ready for the electronic recycle bin.
How long did you wait for the ready light to come on? It may take several minutes to get it working. On mine, it still takes 20 seconds or more to recharge, so it's more than just the battery that's worn out.
How long did you wait for the ready light to come on? It may take several minutes to get it working. On mine, it still takes 20 seconds or more to recharge, so it's more than just the battery that's worn out.
Didn't Quantum make a rig that could be used for this? I recall having this combo many years ago. Memories are foggy of the details as I write this.
Quantum made external battery packs that could be used with the Metz 45 series, but I don't know if they made anything for the 60 series.
I build the battery pack with 2 of these.
Each is rated at 3.2V thus gives 6.4V and 6Ah which is more than the original 4Ah dryfit.
Of course I have to charge them outside. They hold the charge very well. I charged them up and put them in the flash and 6 months later they still have a lot of charge left.
Of course I have to charge them outside. They hold the charge very well. I charged them up and put them in the flash and 6 months later they still have a lot of charge left.
MattKing
Moderator
The Quantum packs are essentially just batteries.
The 60 series flashes moved the capacitors to the battery/shoulder pack.
The 60 series flash heads are fairly bulky, but they are surprisingly light.
MattKing
Moderator
This looks very interesting - sadly, won't ship to Canada!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204026565001
Batteries are either alkaline AA or rechargeable AA - recharged outside the holder.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204026565001
Batteries are either alkaline AA or rechargeable AA - recharged outside the holder.
MattKing
Moderator
IIRC, that switch changes how batteries are recharged when you use the battery holder as the charger. It doesn't affect how the batteries power the flash.
Thanks for your reply.
I checked the plastic AA battery holder again and discovered one of them has a small plastic piece was holding the first (+) contact between the Ikea batteries . It seems that was from the After I removed it with knife, the batteries are in contact now . Then I put the setup back to the rack , the flash works now.
Obiously it is recharging faser than my old Drifit. Not more than 10s after a full power (1/1) flash ? And it seems the light is much brighter? I can't tell as far as it is now working as it used to .
I just saw it and just ordered 1 . Hoping it iw will come soon .
Since the guy 3D printed the unit I did asked him if he would make me one without the battery holders so I can installed my LiFePo4 batteries in it. He said he would for the same price. I found my 2 LiFePo4 cells work very well.
I have seen another seller selling a kit on ebay, when which is also 3D print but need assembly. Perhaps you can take a look ?
I am not sure whether LiFePo4 available in my place. Will try to look for it during the weekend.
Maybe I'm a bit late now, but you may want to have a look at my solution as described on a flickr forum page:
My charge time after a full flash is below 5 seconds, hundreds of times per charge. As full flashes are hardly needed too many times, I was not able to drain one battery within a day. A while ago I shot over 400 pictures on one day, there was still enough power in the battery.
My charge time after a full flash is below 5 seconds, hundreds of times per charge. As full flashes are hardly needed too many times, I was not able to drain one battery within a day. A while ago I shot over 400 pictures on one day, there was still enough power in the battery.
I took a decidedly low tech approach. I built a dummy battery out of wood that is wired to a 6v SLA battery (it would be too big for the Metz case). Both go into a small camera bag.
Does it work and does it comply to your expectations?
A bit update here:
Looks like 32700 battery is not common in my place (18650 is far more common here) .
And the latest post office regulations forbid import of LiFePo4 batteries.
You really cannot buy LIPO batteries from China? Other question, is there a good LIPO supplier that you actually can order at. You'll need a 2S LIPO (7.4 of 7.6V), but in the format of a 'shorty' (9.6 cm long instead of the standard 13.8 cm)
I really can't. The parcel forward service banned the any batteries in transport.
Do u have the model # of the LIPO 4 battery that you used and also I like to see a pic of the 3D printed box that u had bought. I currently have 3-4 boxes w/ several 60 series flashes that were bought at auction with the batteries been dead.
I use 2 of these battery in series
Ausgeknipst Metz Dryfit 6038 Battery Basket for Mecablitz 60 CT 1 2 4 | eBay
You will need the standard battery holder (not included).
www.ebay.com
The batteries last quite well. The only problem is that I have to remove them to charge because the charger that came with the flash won't charge them well.
Ok, thanks. Another question. Can anyone tell me how to go about removing the top of the older 60 series dryfit batteries? I like to get a like of what is inside and maybe make my own replacement batteries.
Did u get the no tabs or tabs LIPO batteries. Thanks
Did u get the no tabs or tabs LIPO batteries. Thanks
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I know people who could cut the top apart of the dry fit battery but I can't. I get the Lifepo4 batteries with tab that makes it's easier to connect the 2 of them together.
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