Cactus V5 and Einstein issues

Im looking for help on this one. I just bought my einstein and for the few test shots I have done with it, I absolutely love it. I am having a slight issue though.

When using my cactus V5's, I am noticing they work fine (Using them for 15 minute bursts or so for my first few tests) but after I unplug them I think they are overheating. They will still receive, but will no longer transmit. I tried changing the battery, but it still didnt work. After letting it sit for a about 20 minutes, they work like normal.

Am I alright continuing on in this way, or will I fry my transmitters? Is there a way I can prevent this problem?

You saw the advantage of buying the Einstein - Quite a bit better, and more expensive, than the entry level strobes available on E-Bay.

For the same reason I think you can justify the Cybersync transmitter & receiver. They really are a good value for as well as they perform.

I have cybersyncs and they work well, no complaints. But I can see the attraction to the cactus V5's. They are half the cost of the cybersyncs and can be used as a xmit or rec. I have read several threads here about how people love the V5's. I was actually thinking about changing out. The "get what you paid for" saying always is in the back of my mind.

If your V5's work after they cool off, it does sound like they were getting hot. If this is indeed true, I hope others chime in to see if they have had the same problem. It doesnt seem like there is any relevance to your Einstein though.

Curtis N wrote in post #12694021
You saw the advantage of buying the Einstein - Quite a bit better, and more expensive, than the entry level strobes available on E-Bay.

For the same reason I think you can justify the Cybersync transmitter & receiver. They really are a good value for as well as they perform.

I am actually very happy with my Cactus. I bought the Einstein because I loved the huge range of power and would love to add it to my wedding kit. Truth is, I have 6 Cactus transcievers and use them all, and changing those out with the cybercync's is just not an attractive option.

leeport wrote in post #12694066
I have cybersyncs and they work well, no complaints. But I can see the attraction to the cactus V5's. They are half the cost of the cybersyncs and can be used as a xmit or rec. I have read several threads here about how people love the V5's. I was actually thinking about changing out. The "get what you paid for" saying always is in the back of my mind.

If your V5's work after they cool off, it does sound like they were getting hot. If this is indeed true, I hope others chime in to see if they have had the same problem. It doesnt seem like there is any relevance to your Einstein though.

I love my V5's, but just want to make sure that I can keep using it how I am. If I have to swap them out every 30 minutes, that can be ok, I am just worried about frying them.

How are your cactus V5's overheating? Usually, I would have the sync cord dangling from the sync port or have a piece of velcro attached to the einstein itself. I've never heard of a trigger "overheating."

I have it set the same way, with the sync cord hanging from the einstein, except I dont have it velcro'd yet. My guess is that since it has been so hot here, that has caused them to overheat, not the strobe. I will have to test it at night.

What temps are you seeing this happen in Sunny San Diego?

It was probably in the 90s at the time.

I just tried it again, placed my triggers out in the heat for 15 minutes (not plugged in, not powered on) and they failed to work afterwards. After bringing them into the air conditioned house, about 15 minutes later they started working again. Anyone else having this issue with the Cactus V5?

That doesn't sound good if you can recreate the problem like that.

Are these happening with all your units? I'd probably shoot Gadget Infinity an email to report the issue and get an exchange if possible.

If I remember basic electricity, when batteries get hot their internal resistance goes up. The heat from sun may be getting the batteries hot enough so they are not providing power necessary for the unit.

Generally, I would say if a trigger device can't stand to be in the sun it needs to be replaced with something that can take the heat. i.e. Cyber Sync. Especially the one that plugs into the Einstein.

I dont think it is the batteries though. I have switched the batteries out and they still wouldnt work. It was like the entire unit had to cool down.

As for do all of them do it? I have tried 3 of my 6, and so far they have all had the problem. I am going to have to send GI an email to see if I can get them replaced.

FWIW - IF you decide to sell the V5's, shoot me a PM and I'll will purchase all 6. How's that for making it easy to unload 'em?! It doesn't get THAT hot so often up here in New England, so temperatures aren't something I need to worry about a whole lot.

You are correct, that is easy.

Im actually really bummed. I love these triggers, and I think I can find a way around them (most of my OCF is done during reception anyways) but if it is defective, I want to get ones that work.

I just put my other 3 in the sun for 10 minutes, and they will not transmit, but they will receive. Actually, in the Tx mode, they will still receive, but wont transmit until they cool down.

What happens if you keep them shaded, Bryan? As in, velcro them UNDER your Strobe's body so they are protected from direct sun. If I ran into that problem, first thing I'd do is keep them shaded.