4 Channels Wireless Flash Trigger (my review)

Curtis N wrote in post #4783297
Did you put fresh batteries in it? The batteries it ships with are often discharged.

About a week or so ago I got a YongNuo/Jianisi PT-04TM. Sure enough the batteries in the Transmitter was discharged but I had the some 23A lying around so I could put in a fresh set. And its works great, tooks about 10-15 shots and then put it away waiting for a better time to use them.

Here is the problem, today I wanted to show how it worked to a few folks and it once again the transmitter was dead. I had to change out my freshly installed battery and put in the last spare one I had (these are for my garage door opener remote).

So how do you TURN OFF the transmitter??? Is there no way around besides unscrewing it and physically removing the battery?

I don't think I have that brand, but who knows. I have never had trouble with the transmitter draining the battery while sitting around, but the receivers definitely will. I take the batteries out of mine between shoots. The transmitter keeps its battery in place. The transmitter is supposed to use power only when it is actually transmitting. Dare I say it? It is possible that your transmitter is defective.

gjman wrote in post #6398231
Here is the problem, today I wanted to show how it worked to a few folks and it once again the transmitter was dead. I had to change out my freshly installed battery and put in the last spare one I had (these are for my garage door opener remote).

Are you sure that something isn't pressing against the test button when the transmitter is in your camera bag? Or is the button maybe stuck in the down position? You should be able to feel the button move when you press it.

I got the same remotes a few weeks ago and they worked great with the original battery. So maybe there is something wrong with yours.

Ny brand new PT-04's have an on and off switch on them.

mdruziak wrote in post #6401327
Are you sure that something isn't pressing against the test button when the transmitter is in your camera bag? Or is the button maybe stuck in the down position? You should be able to feel the button move when you press it........So maybe there is something wrong with yours.

Well the button is certainly not stuck. When I put in a fresh battery and press the test button I see the Red LED light up. I highly doubt that anything was pressing against it but I will observe the transmitter unit over the next couple of days, will check to see how long the LED continues to light up.

From the responses I am getting it looks like the transmitter battery is supposed to last for a very long time, the receiver does have a have on/off switch and I never had any problems with that part.

Ok I just just checked this morning. The transmitter which had a fresh battery less than 48hours ago is now completely dead (checked using a Multimeter). I guess that was a waste of $21.

gjman wrote in post #6409507
Ok I just just checked this morning. The transmitter which had a fresh battery less than 48hours ago is now completely dead (checked using a Multimeter). I guess that was a waste of $21.

Have you tried to contact the vendor? It would be interesting to hear how they respond.

Oh yeah it was bought from DealExtreme and I used their portal to request a replacement. They want a pic of the item (??) what exactly do they want to see? The Multimeter reading ? Since we recycle batteries I was able to fish out the OEM battery (and the two replacement RadioShack ones) and just sent them a pic of that along with the transmitter. Lets see what excuse they come up with for NOT honoring the replacement request.

Apart from the battery drain, it works VERY well. No misfire at all, the transmitter works no matter how tightly you mount it or even if you dont tighten at all. So I guess even they don't honor it I can always buy a set of 23V batteries online (cheaper than RS) and use them on an as needed basis and I will just wrap some insulation tape around the transmitter (rather than using the screw) for easy removal of the battery.

giman, is it possible that something in your camera bag is pushing the "test" button and causing the transmitter to run down?

I don't use mine much, but I'm pretty sure I have the original battery in it. I carry a spare but have never needed it.

gkuenning wrote in post #6414356
giman, is it possible that something in your camera bag is pushing the "test" button and causing the transmitter to run down?

No the last test I did I just put in a fresh battery mounted it on my camera's hotshoe and left it on the dining table, so I could press the test button every time I came back home.

So when I found that the Red LED is not turning on I pulled out the battery and measured what was left it in 1.4V on a 12V 23A.

PacAce wrote in post #2327055
For me, it's peanuts compared to what I paid for my cameras and lenses.

Salted or roasted ?

I just ordered a set yesterday. Hoping I don't get a dud.

got mine yesterday and tried it out.

plenty of misfires on mine right out of the box. having a 430EX doesn't help either (it's been reported that 430EX aren't 100% reliable with the Cactus V2s).

however, i changed to channel 4 and it's been firing on command with no problems. i have yet to put it in action but i'm confident that it'll be reliable enough for me.

now it's time to buy some stands and umbrellas.

Last night I had some weird stuff going on with mine. I was having a problem with the transmitter making good contact with the hot shoe. It seemed to work better if I loosened up the thumb wheel.

Also the flash fired on its own a few times, but only when the transmitter was off of the camera?

Canon 580EX II don't to fire with Cactus v2s wireless reciever by GI. Why? Help me.