almost dead 600ex-rt

update

upon further review, the flash tube is broken. i watched the video linked and it looks pretty straight forward to replace it. just depends on how much soldering i want to do vs how much i want to spend...

$10 for the tube, $55 for the tube/reflector assembly and 3 wires vs what looks like 6 wires. theyre pretty damned fine (30awg id bet)...

thanks for everyone's help. ill let you know how it works out

Ltdave wrote in post #19325388
update

upon further review, the flash tube is broken. i watched the video linked and it looks pretty straight forward to replace it. just depends on how much soldering i want to do vs how much i want to spend...

$10 for the tube, $55 for the tube/reflector assembly and 3 wires vs what looks like 6 wires. theyre pretty damned fine (30awg id bet)...

thanks for everyone's help. ill let you know how it works out

You need to make sure that the Voltage rating of the replacement flash tube, and the power handling of the replacement flash tube are not LESS than the original flashtube!

And, since eTTL assumes a certain brightness coming out during preflash, so in-camera flash metering can properly determine the reflectivity of the scene, so it can command the proper amount of pre-determined power, it is not apparent that one can substitute indiscriminately but really needs to use a Canon-supplied replacement part.

Ltdave wrote in post #19325388
update

upon further review, the flash tube is broken. i watched the video linked and it looks pretty straight forward to replace it. just depends on how much soldering i want to do vs how much i want to spend...

$10 for the tube, $55 for the tube/reflector assembly and 3 wires vs what looks like 6 wires. theyre pretty damned fine (30awg id bet)...

thanks for everyone's help. ill let you know how it works out

I think I’d go with https://www.ebay.com/i​tm/322427959901 But I say that becuase of the use of the word “genuine” and the seller’s reputation. It is 3-wire however and from what you’ve said you have a 6-wire hookup which surprises me as an engineer. Perhaps someone jury-rigged the wiring to reduce instantaneous current????

the 6 wire is because it APPEARS there are wires going to the metal framework around the reflector.

there probably ARENT any but i havent pulled the reflector assembly from the head unit.

i have a couple of lines on an entire head unit. $90 on ebay (genuine Canon part per the #number) or at another vendor for $55, if i can get their log in page to work properly...


the tube/reflector assembly require pulling the zoom "rail" pins and im not sure i want to tear into that, although i DID look closely at the reflector/tube offering.

update to the update

i found a replacement (genuine part with canon number) on ebay for $90 + $5 shipping...

went digging deeper on the net and found the exact same part number'd part at a parts place but i had all manner of trouble creating an account. i was more interested because it was listed at $56, but i had to have it ready to purchase to find out shipping.

there was NO phone number listed on the website only an email address to contact them. i plugged the address into the web and found a DIFFERENT place, same address but it was a warranty repair place, with an 800 number. when i called them, they referred me to parts and the tech said, "its not really a retail site, thats why you cant create an account." i told him what i was looking for, he double checked and said they did have it on hand and the price shown was actually their price per unit. "he said he would sell it to me but they needed some markup, and offered it at $65 +$10 for shipping. this was on wednesday.

i got the exact part i needed UPS today and it fit as designed and it pops when i test it. it fires from the camera as well...

im all good now...

Nice of that guy to make you a deal, in spite of the fact they are normally not retail parts supplier. And very glad you went with original manufacturer part.

Curious...what was the story behind 6-wire vs 3-wire?

Wilt wrote in post #19327940
Nice of that guy to make you a deal, in spite of the fact they are normally not retail parts supplier. And very glad you went with original manufacturer part.

Curious...what was the story behind 6-wire vs 3-wire?

i dont think there IS but i never pulled the reflector portion out (needed in order to swap the flash tube) so until i dig into the old one, i dont have an answer


just an FYI this is the stepper motor for the auto zoom head

Ltdave wrote in post #19327974
i dont think there IS but i never pulled the reflector portion out (needed in order to swap the flash tube) so until i dig into the old one, i dont have an answer

Color me confused

1. ...if you need to pull the reflector out in order to swap the flash tube
   
2. ...you have already tried and verified operation of the replacement flash tube provided from this flexible vendor of spares
   

Well done Lt.
Eliminated all possible scenarios. Identified the issue, persistence, a bit of labor and…….Issue Soved!
Congratulations are in order.
My system is almost ten years old and…………. Well you know

Wilt wrote in post #19328012
Color me confused

1. ...if you need to pull the reflector out in order to swap the flash tube
   
2. ...you have already tried and verified operation of the replacement flash tube provided from this flexible vendor of spares
   

...so how did you accomplish #2, without getting a clue as to the 3-wire vs 6-wire unknown?!

Read reply #19 above. I think the OP purchased and replaced a complete reflector/flash tube assembly and he has to further disassemble the old and defective reflector/flash tube to determine if there are indeed (6) wires.

John from PA wrote in post #19328285
Read reply #19 above. I think the OP purchased and replaced a complete reflector/flash tube assembly and he has to further disassemble the old and defective reflector/flash tube to determine if there are indeed (6) wires.

I reread post 17 and 19...he mentions entire head unit (would apparently avoid dismantling reflector assy.) but in post 18 he mentions being able to buy a part (not identified if flash tube only vs. entire head unit). Inconclusive, to me.

He said, "it pops when i test it." so he connected something and test fired 'it'...what?

This canon 600ext is really awesome flash, light colour is very consistent (did not turn yellow if you use it for a long run)

But since I switch to godox, I havent touched this flash for years. (I just dont want to waste 70-80 for another slave unit that need to attach to this flash beside with that money you can buy another cheap godox flash)

If I do event photography again, I might use this again

Good luck with the fixing job.

Younuo also very awesome brand with affordable bugget, but since godox have more stuffs, I dont want look back to this brand anymore (pixels also good brand with powerful output)

Wilt wrote in post #19328337
I reread post 17 and 19...he mentions entire head unit (would apparently avoid dismantling reflector assy.) but in post 18 he mentions being able to buy a part (not identified if flash tube only vs. entire head unit). Inconclusive, to me.

He said, "it pops when i test it." so he connected something and test fired 'it'...what?

OP also stated in post #16, "$10 for the tube, $55 for the tube/reflector assembly and 3 wires vs what looks like 6 wires. they're pretty damned fine (30awg id bet)..." which is why I think he replaced the entire assembly. The ultimate vendor may have changed, but the price is reflective of the assembly.

John from PA wrote in post #19328483
OP also stated in post #16, "$10 for the tube, $55 for the tube/reflector assembly and 3 wires vs what looks like 6 wires. they're pretty damned fine (30awg id bet)..." which is why I think he replaced the entire assembly. The ultimate vendor may have changed, but the price is reflective of the assembly.

OTOH Ltdave also had posted, "a couple of lines on an entire head unit. $90 on ebay (genuine Canon part per the #number) or at another vendor for $55, if i can get their log in page to work properly..."

Well, until Ltdave returns with his response, we're both left speculating.

Wilt wrote in post #19328012
Color me confused

1. ...if you need to pull the reflector out in order to swap the flash tube
   
2. ...you have already tried and verified operation of the replacement flash tube provided from this flexible vendor of spares
   

...so how did you accomplish #2, without getting a clue as to the 3-wire vs 6-wire unknown?!

there are 3 options that im aware of.
replace just the flash tube
replace the flash tube and reflector
replace the entire head assembly

the tube and reflector assembly are mounted on stainless pins that allow them to move in and out for the zoom function. i didnt want to attempt removing those pins (pressed in place, it appears) to remove the reflector which is needed to remove the tube.

by just swapping out the entire head, i only had to remove 3 screws and unplug 2 cables.

and no, i never verified or disproved any wires connecting the tube to the reflector, because i never pulled the reflector from the head.

there probably ISNT any wires connecting the tube to the reflector (deduced from photos of just the tube itself) but when i first looked at it, it APPEARED there were.


the head unit assembly