600 ex external power problem

I'm using a couple of these rt versions one on and one off camera. I have external power packs connected to both. One of these is a godox pb960. The other an unbranded nimh power pack. I have envelop AA batteries in each unit. I have the relevant custom function set to 1 meaning the units should be using the external power for the flashes and internal batteries for the transmitter etc.

My hope was that this would mean that the internal batteries would last all day with the external packs taking the strain. However this doesn't seem to be the case. I've notices that under heavy use... Eg outdoors in sun where were are probably using lots if full power flashes after about 30 mins the recharge of flashes becomes painfully slow. The external batteries still have lots of juice. Change the internal AA batteries and speed is restored.... Until later when we go through the process again. The external batteries are definitely being used - when the flash goes off they indicate the are proving power and testing indoors shows that On a full power flash charge times are definitely shorter than with them not connected.

It seems that the units may be ignoring the custom setting and using both internal and external to charge the flash?

Any ideas experience to help me? The point of investing in the external powered packs was to save the changing of the internal batteries and this hasn't happened. Also given that I have two different power packs with the same issue it seems to be a speedlite problem rather than some thing with the power packs.,,,

Help!

" .. outdoors in sun where were are probably using lots if full power flashes after about 30 mins the recharge of flashes becomes painfully slow .. "

Your problem may not just be power but over-heating too.

It sounds as if you are up at around 1/1 (even if under ETTL) & quite possibly using HSS all the time too.

It's possible that if the units behaved as you were hoping that they would, you might have fried their tubes by now.

Hypersync from a studio strobe run from an smoothed-inverter/battery might be a safer route. Good luck

Hmmmm not sure heat was an issue.... They were running high power with hss but the shoot rate was not that great. And if heat was an issue why did they behave perfectly again once I swapped the internal batteries?

geofflove wrote in post #17043660
Hmmmm not sure heat was an issue.... They were running high power with hss but the shoot rate was not that great. And if heat was an issue why did they behave perfectly again once I swapped the internal batteries?

you didnt read his sentence clearly,
let me ask you again to make it clear

when you take out the AA, do you think it is hot ?

problem with AA is heat, when they got hot, their performance simply decreased

Canon external battery port doesnt mean you didnt use AA inside,
I've been long user of 580 and 580EX II connected to Quantum Turbo 2x2 and heavy use

no, you can not depend on stupid AA batteries,
Canon made a bad decision still using AA batteries on their flash line up

I keep changing AA inside and its very hot when I take it out,
if the flash only using it for display, the battery wont get that hot,
so, external battery and AA use simultaneously and thats make it hot

thats option menu showing external battery only is BULLS-HIT !

see my signatures and that's why I dont like using Canon flash

Batteries slightly warm but not hot...

My point was that according to Canon, with this custom setting I should not be using the internal batteries apart from to power the transmitter and timing circuits. However it clearly is, so what's up and how do I fix it?

geofflove wrote in post #17045453
Batteries slightly warm but not hot...

My point was that according to Canon, with this custom setting I should not be using the internal batteries apart from to power the transmitter and timing circuits. However it clearly is, so what's up and how do I fix it?

If (again if) it is an issue with the overheating protection of the flash inhibiting recyclable times, it is not directly connected to the batteries overheating.

The overheating protection circuit of the flash is for the gross flash unit overheating. This includes the enormous amount of power dissipated by the flash tube and possibly even the discharging of the flash power capacitors that you are not factoring into your evaluation. The external pack will NOT mitigate these heat sources, so trying to tie everything to the temperature of the actual batteries is not sufficient.

Enjoy! Lon

I have this same "issue" with my 580EXII. I had the exact same thoughts as these guys but when switching the batteries out, I can go right back to firing away like mad. It doesnt seem like a overheating issue.

By way of an update.... I contact Canon re this issue and got this reply...

In response to your enquiry regarding the Speedlite 600EX, we kindly advise you to read the information below.
We can confirm you have selected the right settings for the external battery pack. However you are using non Canon products. It is possible the Speedlite will not recognise the third party products. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee it will work properly with third party products. We recommend to use a Canon external battery pack. Canon has compact battery pack CP-E4 available to connect to the Speedlite 600EX.
Once again, thank you for contacting Canon. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact again.
So, no progress really. I find it hard to believe the flash won't 'recognise' these other power units as they are obviously working to some extent. However, I also don't want to shell out £150 (plus batteries) for a Canon external power unit to prove the point...!

I guess we're stuck. Has anyone else had this issue - with or without the Canon unit?
I also notice that Canon say in order for the speedlite to 'see' the power pack the power pack has to be switched on last. I'm pretty sure I did this but next time will ensure I do to check.

I have the CP4e. Perhaps mine isnt working because I didnt think it had an ON switch.....