Is this safe for my Rebel XTI? (picture included)

[cwr89]

I don't know how to interpret what I read on this voltage meter and I don't want to fry my Rebel XTI/400D because I cannot afford another one! There is no documentation accompanying this flash and I can find nothing online. I don't know if I set the voltage meter correctly but I put it on 15v AC and that's what it registers with the flash charged. I'd love to be able to use the flash as it has auto exposure stuff and I just suck with the popup.

anywho, heres the pic (and sorry for the lack of PP or white balanceing for that matter):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3773462912_2d8f6bc5e4_b.jpg

Thanks!
~Casey

[Anke]

Will that even fit on your Rebel? Perhaps just use it as off-camera flash and play that way?

[cwr89]

it fits my hot shoe perfectly, I just don't want to turn the it on without knowing for sure.
I don't think I can run it off camera, I don't have any triggers and it doesn't have a PC cord input/I don't have one on my XTI. I really would love to be able to use it off camera too, can someone recommend a way to do that? is there a trigger that I can buy relatively cheap?
All I know about it is that it is made by sears. don't know when though.

If it reads like I think it does it looks like its only putting out 2.5V but I want some expert opinions before I try and trigger it on my XTI

thanks!
~Casey

[Titus213]

It looks like you have the meter set on AC. Switch it to DC and take a reading.

But what I know about electricity ends at the light switch - up is on, down is off. And three way switches are magic.

[ootsk]

The old Canons, like my d30 for example, used to fry the shutter contacts when you used a non-canon flash that had more than something like 3 volts. As I understand it, Canon changed their system of triggering the flash, so voltage is not a problem. Some flashes have a trigger voltage of 80 volts or more. You can use a safe-synch that reduces voltage, or get a wireless trigger that isolates the flash from your camera. That said, check your manual again to see what the maximum voltage for the camera is. There's probably not a problem.

[cwr89]

Here is what it registers on the 15v DC side.
Again, even less sure how to read it:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/cwr89/IMG_7011.jpg

ootsk, I've not been able to find anything in the manual. all I find is "Do not attach a high-voltage flash unit on the camera's hot shoe. It might not work."
this is quite possibly the most dissatisfying answer I've ever read. But I've found several people here talking about the shoe being 250v. Not sure if it's accurate though.
~Casey

[ootsk]

First off, I HATE those types of voltmeters....lol.
Second, if in doubt, get a safe-synch by wein. Cheap insurance.

[Curtis N]

The wein safe-sync doesn't work reliably if the trigger voltage is low to begin with, so don't buy one unless you're sure you need one.

Looks to me like the meter is reading about 2 volts. Test a new alkaline battery (~1.5 volts) to make sure you're reading it right.

[cwr89]

Brand new battery is coming in at 1.5V on the AC side.

[Curtis N]

Batteries produce direct current (DC), which is why Dave instructed you to use the DC setting on the meter.

[dustyporch]

But what I know about electricity ends at the light switch - up is on, down is off. And three way switches are magic.


lol at this... I'm pretty handy, but that is my limit on the electricity side too!