new sunpak 383's

tim wrote in post #5548963
It's pretty easy to do, just connect the SLA battery to the camera. You can use "fake batteries", or you can do what I did, take the batteries out and solder wires directly to the PCB inside the flash. Fake batteries are probably a better bet.

Have a read of www.aljacobs.com

Yikes, I didn't know SLA batteries were so costly. I have no problem tearing apart my 283 (wouldn't be the first time... or the second... or the third, etc) so wiring it would be no problem.

SLA batteries aren't expensive, it's just if you want Al to do it for you it costs more.

Given i've already done three 383s i'd probably do the rest the same way. My best tip is don't lose the screws, and be careful - I got a half dozen good shocks, a couple actually made me leave the ground!

tim wrote in post #5552364
SLA batteries aren't expensive, it's just if you want Al to do it for you it costs more.

Given i've already done three 383s i'd probably do the rest the same way. My best tip is don't lose the screws, and be careful - I got a half dozen good shocks, a couple actually made me leave the ground!

He is selling a single black box for almost $200... that's quite costly IMO.

Yep, it is, for a battery in a box, but it comes with connectors, a good case, and saves you a bunch of time. Professional photographers often charge out their time at over $200/hr, it took me 4-5 hours to do the ordering, running around and modifications myself, so you can see why it might be attractive to some people. Also having support is handy.

SolidxSnake wrote in post #5554892
He is selling a single black box for almost $200... that's quite costly IMO.

You could have made your own camera for a couple bucks instead of buying one pre-built from Canon.

cdifoto wrote in post #5566241
You could have made your own camera for a couple bucks instead of buying one pre-built from Canon.

I'm sorry. I didn't know that assembling thousands of SMD components in addition to a very fragile and expensive silicon sensor in a non-cleanroom environment was just as easy as manufacturing a custom enclosure for a battery cell with commonly found connectors.

I at first thought that the guy sold only the battery cell, no enclosure or connectors.

That said... where can I get my hands on an SLA battery cell (without the fancy connectors... I work with duct tape )

SolidxSnake wrote in post #5570341
That said... where can I get my hands on an SLA battery cell (without the fancy connectors... I work with duct tape )

That's easy. Make it out of duct tape.

cdifoto wrote in post #5570371
That's easy. Make it out of duct tape.

GENIUS!

This looks interesting. Still costly but interesting as a solution for various pieces of equipment.
http://www.powerstream​.com/PST-MP3500.htm