Help with CP-E3

I just got one of these and, for some reason, it's not working for me. When connected to my 580, the light on the batt pack comes on like it should. However, it goes downhill from there.

• With the flash set to use all 12 batteries, it functions and recycles like it's only using the original 4 batteries
  
• With the flash set to use only the CP-E3 for cycling, it doesn't work. It sounds like it's working (whining like it's charging a capacitor), but the flash head never gets charged and can't be used.

I'm assuming you have all twelve batteries in place in both cases, is that right?
It sounds like you're not getting any power from the external pack for some reason. Did you check to make sure all the batteries are fully charged and inserted correctly?

Yes, all 12 are charged and the light on the battery pack turns red when the flash is turned on.

Any other CP-E3 users out there that can chime in? This is getting frustrating.

Well, assuming all battries are fully charged or brand new.
And seems like you are aware of the custom function settings to tell the 580ex to use all 12 or recycle from only the 8... and you DO have battries in both the 580ex and batt pack...

Im not really sure whats going on! When I use my CP-E3 with my 580ex recycle times is VERY fast, and a blast to use.

Is this item brand new or did you buy it used? I would see if you can swap or do a warranty with canon. The CP-E3 is pretty plug and play so I assume it would be an electrical issue where the internal capacitors are messed up or something.

Bummer, I bought it used. Could it be my flash?

Maybe the pack or cable is bad... Contact the seller...

Rumjungle wrote in post #2978845
Bummer, I bought it used. Could it be my flash?

I would be even more upset if it was my flash... since it cost a lot more money.

It might also be a cable problem, do you have a volt / multimeter to check it?

Might want to do that if its easy to open up... and or send it back to canon.

First off, thanks for the help, everyone.

The seller tells me that it was working fine before it left and it looks relatively unused. It's got 3 pins on the connector. Anyone have a pinout? I'm guessing power/ground/trigger to turn on.