Anybody use Quantum Radio Slave 4i & 580 ex ii?

I got my 2nd 580 exii about 10 days ago and had to return it thinking it was defective. When I connect my 4i, it would randomly fire on its own. I tried 3 different receivers and different sync cords and at that time I couldn't get it to do it on my original 580 exii. Evidently I didn't wait long enough .

I received the new 580 exii yesterday and starting testing it out. Same thing and it also does it on my original. The sender doesn't even have to be on. I used a little longer pc cord to get the receiver about a foot away in case the problem was it was too close. Same problem.

Does anybody else use this combination?

I've never had the problem using my strobes, so I assume it's only with the 580's & 4i's.

I'd hate to have to start over with triggers, but would really like to use both 580's off camera. Keep the 4i's for the strobes and use the ST-E2? Sell the 4i's and get something else for my strobes and 580's? Use 1 on camera as master and hope the IR fires the slave?

Thanks.

No suggestions? Was it something I said?

The Canon flash units seem to generate some RF interference that creates problems with radio slaves like the PW...perhaps it is also interfering with the Quantum RS4i. Do some searching on POTN to find out more about the PW issue. The lack of responses so far is probably most due to the fact that the digital photographer of today seldom seems to own Quantum radio units and they probably don't even know they exist!

Wilt wrote in post #11725340
The Canon flash units seem to generate some RF interference that creates problems with radio slaves like the PW...perhaps it is also interfering with the Quantum RS4i. Do some searching on POTN to find out more about the PW issue.

Thanks Wilt. I've read some of the problems with the PW. I'm waiting on a response from Quantum and am not hooking the 4i's up again. I'd hate like hell to fry them, especially since the 2nd one is brand new.

Probably true, though I figured there were a few "old" heads around here that knew them.

Now, I just have to figure out what to use for the 580's if the Quantums won't work.

While the Quantum frequency is set by crystals (A, B, C, D), there is a channel selection (1H, 1L, 2H, 2L)...have you tied different channels?

If you're willing to cover shipping, I'd be happy to check out my Quantum RS 4 unit and Quantum RSII units (both Channel B) with your flash.

Wilt wrote in post #11725628
While the Quantum frequency is set by crystals (A, B, C, D), there is a channel selection (1H, 1L, 2H, 2L)...have you tied different channels?

Good thought, the one thing I haven't tried changing. Mine are channel A typically set to 1L. I'm a little hesitant to try, but may try later. I'll just make sure I can turn the flash off very quick if it starts popping.

Wilt wrote in post #11725660
If you're willing to cover shipping, I'd be happy to check out my Quantum RS 4 unit and Quantum RSII units (both Channel B) with your flash.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

I've owned the Quantum Radio Slaves for about 20 years. The only time I've had a problem was one time after dropping the transmitter onto concrete. It didn't like that.

Never tried to hook it up to a speedlight, but I've hooked them up to a number of different brands of A/C electronic studio units without any problems.

Benji

Benji wrote in post #11726132
I've owned the Quantum Radio Slaves for about 20 years. The only time I've had a problem was one time after dropping the transmitter onto concrete. It didn't like that.

Never tried to hook it up to a speedlight, but I've hooked them up to a number of different brands of A/C electronic studio units without any problems.

Benji

Yeah, concrete wins that one almost every time. Yep, no problems with the White Lightnings. The 580's started off good and I'm just glad I was close to shut them down before they fried themselves.

D Thompson wrote in post #11717590
I got my 2nd 580 exii about 10 days ago and had to return it thinking it was defective. When I connect my 4i, it would randomly fire on its own. I tried 3 different receivers and different sync cords and at that time I couldn't get it to do it on my original 580 exii. Evidently I didn't wait long enough .

I received the new 580 exii yesterday and starting testing it out. Same thing and it also does it on my original. The sender doesn't even have to be on. I used a little longer pc cord to get the receiver about a foot away in case the problem was it was too close. Same problem.

Does anybody else use this combination?

I've never had the problem using my strobes, so I assume it's only with the 580's & 4i's.

I'd hate to have to start over with triggers, but would really like to use both 580's off camera. Keep the 4i's for the strobes and use the ST-E2? Sell the 4i's and get something else for my strobes and 580's? Use 1 on camera as master and hope the IR fires the slave?

Thanks.

I use to own the Quantum 4i's about 10 years ago..... try reversing the polarity on them.

The Loft Studios wrote in post #11740937
I use to own the Quantum 4i's about 10 years ago..... try reversing the polarity on them.

? I'm missing something here, mine are battery powered.

The 2 prong household plug that goes into the Quantum..... switch it around in the opposite direction.

The Loft Studios wrote in post #11741946
The 2 prong household plug that goes into the Quantum..... switch it around in the opposite direction.

Aw ok, talking about the sender using the pc/household cord. Actually had the sender in the camera hot shoe and not using the cord for it. Funny thing is the flashes are going off without the sender even turned on.

Hopefully will hear something back from Quantum soon.

Could it be that maybe your sync cord connecting the flash to the receiver has a break or a fray in it that is causing intermittent shorts? Is the flash going off all the time or is it random and intermittent? Does it do the same thing when you disconnect the cord from the flash?

PacAce wrote in post #11742543
Could it be that maybe your sync cord connecting the flash to the receiver has a break or a fray in it that is causing intermittent shorts?

Not likely as I've tried 3 different cords, 3 different receivers, and 2 580's. It couldn't be that easy.

Random and intermittent. It may be ok for a few minutes and then once it starts the flash may go off every couple of seconds or several times a second (almost like multistrobic mode).

Both flashes work fine unless connected to the receiver. I can put one on camera as master and the other as slave and they work fine. At least so far, just got the 2nd 580exii.

I'm waiting to hear back from Quantum. Already talked to Canon support and they basically said it's a problem with the RS. I'm hesitant to try anything till I hear from them. I sure don't want to fry either flash.