My SB-900 is dead!

[Mark Swindler]

I was at a job last week shooting hotel rooms and meeting areas for a client, and when I tried to fire up the flash it was dead. I checked the batteries, Energizer Platinum(new), and one battery was corroded. A quick cleaning of the contacts and some new batteries didn't fix anything. Here's my question...I hadn't used the flash in a couple of weeks, but That wouldn't cause the corrsion, would it? I'll just have to send it back to Nikon for repair, as I'm pretty sure they won't give me a new one
Also how do you all think the SB-900 compares to the 800? Personally, I like the convenience of the off-on switch, but the 800 has a little more power.

Mark S.

[David_Buzzard]

Did the overheat switch trip? I find that it's set way too low and doesn't take much to set off. I disabled mine, but the the temperature gauge is almost always pegged in the danger zone.

I really like the SB-900.

David Buzzard

[billsstills]

That sounds a little sinister or rather abnormal for the flash behavior, I wouldn't expect that corrosion there must be more too it.
I really like my 900 over the 800's but I also disabled my overheat switch.
I'd start there... it just seems odd that it won't start up again with fresh batteries and I'd expect it to be covered by warranty.

Let us know your progress.


Bill.

[DougAxford]

Originally Posted by billsstills

I'd expect it to be covered by warranty.

I'm not sure which warranty Bill was referring to but my memory says that all top name brand battery companies have warranties for leaky batteries that they will replace the equipment that is damaged if their battery was at fault. It sure sounds like this is a battery problem, unless you've been shooting in harsh conditions.

I'd start there. I can't see Nikon replacing for free unless you can prove a design fault.

[Mark Swindler]

Nope, I was just shooting in an office. I'm pretty sure that Nikon will rerpair it under warranty, though, but I'll keep you posted. BTW, where is the thermal switch?
Thanks, Mark S.

P.S. I just went to out to my shop and cleaned the contact inside the flash body with a q-tip soaked in "Sher-Will-Clean". This is a Sherwin-Williams product for cleaning road grime off of car bodies and cleaning before using tack rags when painting. Replaced the batteries, and everything worked like a charm! Also, I found the thermal shut-off in the instruction manual.
Thanks, again!!!!

[billsstills]

couple of things...

Doug makes a very good point. I did actually mean that Nikon should look at it through their own warranty but it does seem that the batteries might be at fault.
I would not expect in all my years of using batteries anywhere from toys when I was a child to my professional needs today I can remember very few incidents of corrosion caused by any battery especially if was left for only a few weeks. (I've seen horrible corrosion but only after leaving batteries in equipment for ages).
So I don't understand how this could happen with High End Energizer Platinum's.

Other than that... I find the SB900 just simply easier to use from GO than my trusty SB800's.


I did a billboard advertising shoot just a few months ago, 13 billboards within three Eastern states of Australia. The hired studio offered four window boxes hung from rails along the ceiling, a very simple fool proof system for shooting multiple people, my assistant was my business partner.
When at one point a cable or two came loose from either a power point or the studio lighting itself... it took about an hour to work out what was loose... so out cam the SB900 (while the 800's sat there mind you) for it's first test.

The entire room was white so bouncing straight up sent light everywhere and the shoot continued.
I dare suggest that some of the billboards were shot with the SB900 alone.

Then I sent them the bill.


Regards,
Bill Zunic.

[Mark Swindler]

Bill- That's the most important part- You then sent them the bill