Sunpak 383 + Sunpak TR-Pak II = Awesome!

[yunaiseng]

Well, today my Sunpak TR-Pak II battery pack was delivered and boy is it ever awesome! I was able to shoot 10 full powered flashes in 10 seconds (just to test of course). No more worrying about missing a shot because of flash not firing or annoying my fiance waiting for the flash to recycle. So I'm a pretty happy camper :)

http://www.yufamilyonline.net/nel/TRPAK.jpg

But of course it doesn't come without questions...

(1) *** never mind on this one :) *** the battery pack works with one of my 383 flashes (its actually badged as a Quantaray Q383 Super), but not on the other (a Sunpak Auto 383 Super). They are identical in every way except the badging, but with one it doesn't give power at all

(2) with the one that works, it seems to always fire at full power. I tried setting the flash to 1/16th power and firing, both with Test button as well as through wireless triggers but the power is always at full blast

Anyone have any experience with either of these? :)

[FlashZebra]

On the power issue.

Do you have the function switch set to manual when you are testing the power levels and not one of the auto modes?

It is likely you do, but never overlook the fundamental.

Enjoy! Lon

[yunaiseng]

Hehe, thanks for the response!

Yup, I have it set on manual. I also tried going back and forth between AC (HV) vs BATT on the power switch and it doesn't make any difference. And it definitely does work properly when using alkalines or NIMHs.

And a silly thing for (1). Both flashes are now getting power fine :D All I did was disconnect the chord and adapter from the TR-Pak and reconnect. Might have been a slightly loose connector or something, but it works! Now if I could only figure out the power setting issue...

It seems documentation on the TR-PAK II is very sparse online...either that or I'm not doing a very good Google search :P

[Strayz]

I am jealous, where did you find that? I am looking and I just get the unavailability message or bat packs for the unit. No one has them in stock... I geuss I start looking at Ebay... /shudder

[yunaiseng]

I've been looking around for one for a while. I almost bought one on eBay, but when I called in, they didn't have the adapter that would make it work on the 383. Then I happened to check on B&H used section and they had just one! Its used, but I would rate the condition like 9.5+! Great deal :)

Oh, and I haven't figured out my problem yet, but in my searching around the internet, I happened to find the Sunpak 383 manual. I put it here in case anyone else needs it.

Sunpak 383 Manual (http://www.yufamilyonline.net/nel/Sunpak383Manual.pdf)

[yunaiseng]

This might be a dumb question, but how do you test whether my Sunpak 383 is safe for my 20D hotshoe? I'm trying to follow the directions here: http://www.wireheadarts.com/blog40.html

I recently got an analog multimeter which has a switch where you choose what you're measuring. Honestly, I don't really know what I'm doing :o I'm figuring I need to set it on the 10 volt range under the DC voltage section, but I'm not sure. Does this look right? If it is, when I'm touching the contacts, the needle barely moves at all. I've also tried firing the flash with the test button while touching the contacts. Still nothing...

http://www.yufamilyonline.net/nel/Multimeter.jpg

[johnu]

I have also have 2 sunpak 383, one also shoots at full power, after i connected the sunpak tr-pak II. The other one works normal?
I hope someone know what happend.

[FlashZebra]

This might be a dumb question, but how do you test whether my Sunpak 383 is safe for my 20D hotshoe? I'm trying to follow the directions here: http://www.wireheadarts.com/blog40.html

I recently got an analog multimeter which has a switch where you choose what you're measuring. Honestly, I don't really know what I'm doing :o I'm figuring I need to set it on the 10 volt range under the DC voltage section, but I'm not sure. Does this look right? If it is, when I'm touching the contacts, the needle barely moves at all. I've also tried firing the flash with the test button while touching the contacts. Still nothing...


You are there.

Start with the highest DC Voltage scale and work you way down to a more accurate reading as you get readings on the higher scale.

If you are not getting a reading, my guess is that your negative side rail probe is not actually touching the contact. If that is the case, jam a penny or a dime in there and put the probe on that.

Enjoy! Lon

[raymushgrush]

If you want to use the Sunpak 383 in auto mode you must have the 4 AA batteries in place. Even if you are using the Sunpak TR2Pak. The auto circuitry uses the 4 AA batteries to function. Evidently the 383 was not designed to use the high voltage battery pak to power the auto circuitry. I read this someplace but i can't remember where.

[raymushgrush]

By the way I have 4 of the Sunpak 383 units with the TR2Pak's and they all require the 4 AA batteries inserted to function in auto mode which is they way I use them most of the time.

I typically use one 383 on a lightstand off to the side. It is set for F5.6 and is fired by a slave. I have another 383 on my camera flash bracket that is set for F2.8. Camera is set for ASA 200. Both 383's are set on auto. I have to make sure that the auto sensor on both 383 units are pointed at the same approximate area but other than that this setup works very well.

Sometimes I bounce the 383 on the lightstand into a 36 inch umbrella and bounce the 383 on the flash bracket off the ceiling. This is a super cool setup for doing portraits.
It works very well for me.

[ccfoung]

I would like to get this TR_Pak II from used store but the connecting cord is not included. May I know what kind of cord is it and where can I get it from? Thanks!

[yunaiseng]

Which connecting cord are you talking about? On mine, its not possible to remove the cord going between the battery pack and the flash. Like, its permanently connected. See picture:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/52969.jpg

Are you talking about the charger for the battery pack?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52848-REG/Sunpak_1621_CHG_20_Charger_fo_TR_Pak.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52969-REG/Sunpak_1620A_TR_Pak_IIa_Battery_Pack.html

[PacAce]

Which connecting cord are you talking about? On mine, its not possible to remove the cord going between the battery pack and the flash. Like, its permanently connected. See picture:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/52969.jpg

Are you talking about the charger for the battery pack?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52848-REG/Sunpak_1621_CHG_20_Charger_fo_TR_Pak.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52969-REG/Sunpak_1620A_TR_Pak_IIa_Battery_Pack.html
Then how do you use the pack with the different flash models? Is there an interchangeable tip for the differnt flashes? Just curious.

[EDIT: Never mind. It just occurred to me that the TR-PAK II is just for Sunpak flash units. ]

[yunaiseng]

Then how do you use the pack with the different flash models? Is there an interchangeable tip for the differnt flashes? Just curious.

I know it works with several of the different Sunpak models (but not sure exactly which) and, yup, there is a little removable adapter thing that goes on the end of the cord on the side that connects to the flash. I only know of that one tip though.

[ccfoung]

Which connecting cord are you talking about? On mine, its not possible to remove the cord going between the battery pack and the flash. Like, its permanently connected. See picture:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/52969.jpg

Are you talking about the charger for the battery pack?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52848-REG/Sunpak_1621_CHG_20_Charger_fo_TR_Pak.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52969-REG/Sunpak_1620A_TR_Pak_IIa_Battery_Pack.html

I asked the store helper if the cord is included and he said no. Since it is permanently attached, I will just hope the pak I ordered is in good condition.

yunaiseng, thanks for your reply!