photo flash caps

[ade]

hi i'm after some advice,i've a couple of photo flash units whice run on 240ac mains.the caps will no longer charge up enough to fire.they are daly psft X34 111/10/6 cw.they measure 50mm x 75mm.i was informed by a bloke in maplins i should look for a similar cap of values,which he thought to be 450Vdc 220-470uF.i've looked on the net and all i could find were,450Vdc 1000uF or a higher uF value. what i wanted to know is, if i replace with a cap of this value will i find shrapnel embeded all around or will it reduce/increase recycle time of flash output.the flash units date back to the late 60's.if anyone could help,i would appreciate it.thanks ade.

[willawake]

Re: photo flash caps

i did not understand what uf the original caps are rated.

you should use photo flash caps. I see rubycon on most cameras. the circuit is giving the caps a specific charge so the new caps should exceed or meet the original caps specs. i assume size is a factor also.

[arneson]

Re: photo flash caps

Is this the kind of device you have?

[PeteS in CA]

Re: photo flash caps

If you use a different part from the original, be sure to use caps that are designed for photo flash usage. Regular caps are not designed to handle lots of quick charges and discharges.

[ade]

Re: photo flash caps

hi peteS, no, i've only one cap in each unit.yours looks like a mother of a flash.the problem i have, is i don't have a clue as to the values of them.the guy from maplins was giving me a rough estimate.which is why i thought,"pick the brains" of someone whom may know.as you've said "use caps that are designed for photo flash",i really don't have a clue,but i'm learning fast.i've looked at my battery powered flashes,and they're tiny in comparison.
i'm blown away by your picture.nice caps man.would i be able to use caps that are slightly smaller?and a higher uF value?thanks for your help. ade.

[willawake]

Re: photo flash caps

i believe Daly Condensers is now http://www.bhc.co.uk/

i cant find any info to decode the markings on your cap. I think it would be best not to exceed the original uf value. i wouldnt recommend messing about until you know the spec of those caps and find correct replacements.

what flash units are they?

[gonzo0815]

Re: photo flash caps

May be there is no problem with your flash. The Xenon tubes will degrade too with each flash. I would messure the voltage on the cap, may be your step up circuit is bad, or the ignition coil and it`s related thyristor is. As long as the cap is not shorted, i doubth that this is the actual problem.

[kc8adu]

Re: photo flash caps

anything from the timeframe stated is likely to have dried out or leaky lytics.
post a pic of the cap and inside the unit.
i have seen several flash units that had been stored a long time that had a photoflash cap so leaky the inverter would sing but not charge it.

[ade]

Re: photo flash caps

hi sorry about the delay, you know ,work comes first.the units are courtenay photonics,colourflash 100's.
i've looked into several possibilties,maybe its the tubes or other components,well the tubes can take on average 1 million flashes or more, so i got the other very dated bits checked,they seem ok.well you know what they say "they don't make them like that anymore"
i've been in touch with bhc components,time will only tell if theres any response.
could anyone recomend a book on electronics?something basic.
i'll send a photo asap.you'll laugh! ade.