Speedlite 550ex

[jasonco]

Hi There,

I have a Canon Speedlite 550ex and I think it may be on the way out!!!!

When I put brand new batteries in it (2100ma rechargeable) the unit takes about 10-15 seconds to charge before the flash will fire. It used to be just a couple of seconds.

Even when the green / red light comes on I push the pilot button and the flahs doesnt fire (even with the ready light on). After about 10-15 seconds it will fire every time.

I have tried serveral lots of new rechargeable batteries with the same effect.

Any ideas what it might be or do you think the unit is faulty?

Cheers
Jason

[sjprg]

Speedlights use a capicator that is charged by the battery circuits. When the capacitor goes bad it takes it longer to charge and after charging it "forms" to the charge so it will work fairly well while in operation until shut down and then has to "form" again when turned on again. Bottom line, send in for repair.

[jasonco]

Thanks chief. it must be the capacitor then as the light comes on but the flash wont fire.

I wonder if this is a common problem in the 550ex? I have only had the flash for about 5-6 months. I do do a lot of shooting though, and I use 2100ma rechargeable batteries too, so maybe the higher battery capacity is killing the capacitor? What do you think?

For a $850 flash (Australian) you would think it would be more reliable...!

Should I use 1600ma batteries instead?

Cheers
Jason

[CyberDyneSystems]

I do not think the higher capacity batteries could have an adverse effect on the unit.

The MHA rating is a rating of how long the batteries should last... the voltage for the differing MHA rated batteries remains the same. The only way I can imagine a differeing battery would some how damage the flash is if a battery with a much higher voltage were installed.

Alternately,. batteries with a lower voltage could conceivable hurth the flash in the long run. (like a brown out or voltage drop can hurt electronics)

[sjprg]

I use the Maha batteries also. No problem there. I would suspect that the capacitor just has a manufacturing defect. Most manufactures of electronics buy components by the thousands and incoming inspection is a random sample. So occasionaly a defective part slips through. Another possiblility is a cold solder joint in the charging curcuit or capacitor connection. There are litterly dozens of possibilities.

[jasonco]

Thanks guys. I have sent it back for repair and the shop said they were just going to replace it as a DOA even though I brought it in August!!! Its in mint condition though, so they said it would be fine.

Now having said that, its not all bad news.. it gave me a chance to go out and buy a Speedlite 420ex which I will be using as a slave flash to the 550ex when I get it back. lets face it, you cant have enough light!!!

Cheer and thanks for your replies.
Jason