Vivitar 283 - worth rescuing?

I've come across a Vivitar 283 that won't trigger. The unit sounds like it is charging up but when the test button is pressed (which is lit up), nothing happens. I tried measuring the trigger voltage but it came back zero. I have also tried to trigger via the sync port with no success using a PT-04 wireless trigger.

Anyone have any ideas what the problem could be and if I should bother trying to get it to work?

It wouldnt hurt to try to play with it, as long as you know how to handle a capacitor safely ( I dont). But its not worth investing in any parts.

I've had two of those for decades & they've never failed, so if the repair is cheap enough, I'd get it fixed.
There are also a lot of accessories for them: Simple "every-day-emergency" location lighting

I'm a bit hesitant to open it up since I can't discharge the capacitor (well, if it actually is charging up). Maybe I'll give it a go when I have a spare moment or two.

I did see your thread Frank, and it's one of the reasons why I think it may be worth salvaging! Also would very much like to obtain the varipower module or wire in a potentiometer to get more control of the flash output.

joeblack2022 wrote in post #13948267
Also would very much like to obtain the varipower module

That's very useful. I see accessories on ebay all the time.
Try cleaning the battery contacts inside the 283 & in the battery module. I did have a small problem with corrosion there once.