New Vivitar 285HV DOA?

Hi there,

I just unboxed a new Vivitar 285HV. I read the directions for first use, and was instructed to form the capacitor before using. I threw in four brand new eneloop AAs and turned the mode dial to "M" and power switch to "red," or on, and... nothing. Switch off, switch on. Nothing.

I played with the mode dial a little, and the other dials. Switch off, switch on. Heard a whine. Okay, now we're talking. Green and red lights flashed, and then turned off. Test flash button did nothing. Off/on. Nothing.

I've heard reports of these units shipping dead sometimes, but... is that what I am experiencing right now?

Make sure you push the battery holder in all the way before you close the door.

hawkeye60 wrote in post #7026345
Make sure you push the battery holder in all the way before you close the door.

I believe I am, but there is quite a bit of resistance against it, pushing it against the door as I slide it closed. It doesn't click into place or anything, does it?

Did you try different batteries? I thought I read in the "manual" that vivitars where only suppose to work with alkaline. Mine work fine with Nihm's but eneloop is again some different technology.

I tried two sets of eneloops, which are Ni-MH. I also tried a set of Synergy Digital Ni-MH and a set of alkalines. The 285HV manual speaks to alkaline and Ni-Cad batteries, but a strobist.com review talks about using Ni-MH with the unit.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong because the years between the navy taught me basic electricity and now are growing, but... volts is volts, right? Does it make a difference what is going on between the contacts if the output is a steady 1.25-1.5v at 300mA?

As much as I'm loathe to believe it, I can't figure out anything other than it must be a defective unit. I've contacted Ace Digital Photo to obtain a replacement...

Thanks for your comments, though, everybody. Makes you really scratch your head, doesn't it?

randy.wick wrote in post #7028939
Now, correct me if I'm wrong because the years between the navy taught me basic electricity and now are growing, but... volts is volts, right? Does it make a difference what is going on between the contacts if the output is a steady 1.25-1.5v at 300mA?

I have no clue tbh, but the apparent differences between Nimhs (and eneloops), Nicads and Alkalines are many so there gotta be some difference in the delivered power as well, I would guess anyways

i havent had a problem with using a vivtar with nimh batteries