Daisy chain flashes off a Cactus v5?

One point on the Cactus v5 transceivers that I haven't been able to confirm one way or another is how to fire off three or more flashes from a single unit. As far as I can see, the basic manual flash trigger is a simple circuit that gets closed, so is there anything that would stop or make it hazardous to wire multiple flashes of the same model in parallel or series with that switch?

Any thoughts on what would likely be the most cost effective way of doing this? I am trying to solve a bit of a tricky wide area lighting issue that will likely need multiple flashes in groups spread around a large room. I would rather be able to gang 3-4 flashes on a single transceiver instead of having to have one transceiver for every one or two flashes.

Will be using YN manual flashes for the project most likely. Not interested in getting single more powerful strobes for the project due to the flexibility of multiple smaller flash units.

HMM I THINK i've popped 4 at one time off one V5. I had 2 V5 to blow out a white background, 2 in soft boxes and one on camera. Also the V5 has an 1/8" output so you can trigger a wired hotshoe also.

Any reason you wouldnt just use the wireless trigger for one and the optical slaves for the flashes nearby?

You can stick one in the hotshoe, and use a headphone splitter (or multiple) in the 1/8" port for your other flashes.

gonzogolf wrote in post #14862737
Any reason you wouldnt just use the wireless trigger for one and the optical slaves for the flashes nearby?

Because there are often others in the area using flash photography for a long event, which would cause too much interference with my equipment. I want my flashes popping when I need them, not a half second before from someone else's camera.


KhanhD, I was expecting that it would be that easy, but always nice to get confirmation on electrical stuff like that. (Especially when you've earned the nickname of luckless.)

Luckless wrote in post #14862767
Because there are often others in the area using flash photography for a long event, which would cause too much interference with my equipment. I want my flashes popping when I need them, not a half second before from someone else's camera.


KhanhD, I was expecting that it would be that easy, but always nice to get confirmation on electrical stuff like that. (Especially when you've earned the nickname of luckless.)

Just checking, you didnt specify whether it was a public event with other photographers.

You can fire multiple flashes with the V5 but I would not do it if the flashes have a high trigger voltage. Flashes with high trigger voltages may switch higher currents if the switch contact is making a direct connection for the trigger capacitor/coil circuit. But if the trigger voltage is low then there is a buffer circuit between the coil/transformer and the current should be low. In this case you should be able to parallel a number of like flashes together.

From my review on the V5 when it was first released.