TR POWER PACK 3

[Ferry_Cung]

hi all, 
had any one use this TR POWER PACK 3
http://www.pentaximaging....essories/TR_Power_Pack_3/

is this compatible if we us  TR POWER PACK 3 with Battery Grip D-BG2

is there any 3rd party or any option?

Interval & Battery Life for AF-540FGZ:

Alkaline batteries - approx 6s interval, 200 full discharges;
Lithium batteries - approx 6s interval, 350 full discharges;
NiMH batteries - approx 6s interval, 250 full discharges;
TR Power Pack 3 - approx 4.5s interval, 700 full discharges

cause i need more batterai power for my flash AF-540Fgz
or maybe the release of light flash is more faster

shortest interval is better quick release flash

[spyglass]

Hey Ferry_Cung,

I have not used the power pack myself but can see how it would be great for people that needed to fire off a lot of shots with their AF 540FGZ. Having a larger battery capacity should help maintain faster recycle times with your flash. I notice with my AF 360FGZ units that the flash recycle time increases dramatically as the battery wears down (using standard or rechargeable batteries) . When the batteries are fresh I can fire almost at will. But as time wears on I find myself waiting for the flash.
Standard alkaline batteries (rated 1.5VDC nominal) seem to beat the rechargeable batteries I have tried (rated 1.25VDC nominal). I bought some Panasonic Oxyride (rated at 1.7 VDC initial / 1.5VDC nominal). They are fantastic. Recycle is fast throughout the battery life. The only issue with the Panasonic is that they are disposable, (they have an interesting characteristic - when they get to the end of they life they just drop off suddenly and die, no real warning. They do last for an incredible long time though.

As for the Power pack..... if you use the AF 540FGZ, and plan on firing off a significant number of shoots per outing, you should definitely look into getting one. (it is too bad that the power pack uses 6 x "C" cell instead of a large gel cell rechargeable)


Spyglass

[terrytootall]

Hi guys!

I have not used an external battery pack for my AF540, but thought I should have one or even build one. One downside: specialized connector on the AF540 I had thought what I might do is mod my AF540 and install my own 2-pin connector and design/build my own power adapter. It would be super easy to get a 12V gel cell and a stepdown regulator to the 9V (6C cells x 1.5V = 9V) or whatever voltage is needed for the AF540 to run on, and a suitable case & carrying strap, longer power cable, etc. If the mod worked out, then I would do the same to my 2nd AF540

Food for thought
TTT

[spyglass]

Hi Terry,

Hmmm....

The AF 540FGZ uses 4x "AA" batteries. This would allow for 3 possible voltages :
1.5 VDC (4 batteries in parrallel)
3 VDC (series parrallel arrangement)
6 VDC (4 batteries in series)

The Power Pack 3 uses 6x "C" batteries. This would  allow for 3 possible voltages :
1.5 VDC (6 batteries in parallel)
3 VDC (series parallel arrangement)
4.5 VDC (series parallel arrangement)
9 VDC (6 batteries in series)

The common value between the 2 devices would appear to be 3 VDC. A person would have to examine the battery configuration in the flash's battery compartment. There is also a possibility that a voltage regulator is incorporated in the Power Pack. I took a quick look to see if I could find any postings on tests or measured voltage values from the Pack on the internet but did not see anything so far.
I read a few users, and several sites, that indicate that the Power pack can not power AF540FGZ independently and that you have to have batteries installed in AF 540FGZ in order for it to work. read here. This would lead me to think that the pack is not in parallel with the internal batteries. So how are they routing power from the Power pack to the the flash?

Personally I think that they should have offered a selector switch to allow the user to choose either the internal batteries of the external power pack. This would prevent bleed off and irregular charging and balancing between the internal batteries and the external pack (especially if using rechargeable in the flash and alkaline in the power pack).

Here is a nice little horror story / tale of woe about a guy that attempted a DIY power means for his flash. http://randompanderings.com/?p=96  Looks like he decided that the required voltage was 6VDC      Not wanting to scare anybody off of a DIY project, just be careful (the cost of the Pack is less than 1/2 the replacement cost of a AF 540FGZ flash).


Spyglass

[terrytootall]

Thanks Tim for setting me straight.

However, I took my AF540 apart and the four AA batteries are in series (6V). The power pack 3 must have some form of regulation down to a lower value (9V down to 6V) - relatively easy to do with a 7800-series 3-terminal regulators. I can understand that Pentax has some means to have these bateries in a parallel configuration to increase the amerage capacity for the higher flash qty and flash recharge time.

I agree with your comment that pentax should have had a selector switch on the AF540 for internal / external or both. Especially since this is their flagship of a flash.

Anyway, sounds like another project .....

TTT

[spyglass]

Terry,

Exploring the issue of having to have 4x "AA" batteries installed in the flash unit in order for the Power Pack to work, were you able to identify where in the flashes circuit, or by what means / manner, the Power Pack supply is introduced? If the pack was connected in parallel with the 4x"AA" then I agree a simple voltage regulation circuit would serve.  http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM317.html.

It does sound like a project. 

Tim

[Ferry_Cung]

thx spyglass for the information,

may

Here is a nice little horror story / tale of woe about a guy that attempted a DIY power means for his flash. http://randompanderings.com/?p=96  Looks like he decided that the required voltage was 6VDC      Not wanting to scare anybody off of a DIY project, just be careful (the cost of the Pack is less than 1/2 the replacement cost of a AF 540FGZ flash).

i don't want take a risk, blow up my flash if i'm failed hahahha, so for me better just buy TR POWER PACK 3 ^___^

once again thx u spyglass for the information, n thx to terry too

[terrytootall]

Hiya all

I was thinking of looking around for a power pack and do some snooping in it. Maybe my local camera shop will temporarily lend me one. I did some researching and sleuthing, and found the TR Power Pack 2 (for the AF500) has the same connector as used on the AF540. More researching is needed ....

TTT

[k20d]

Any idea how much this TR POWER PACK 3 cost and where to buy?