Graflex.org Forum Index Graflex.org
Get help with your Graflex questions here
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Graflex flash cord

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Graflex.org Forum Index -> Flash Help
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
flashbulbman



Joined: 29 Jan 2009
Posts: 51
Location: California

PostPosted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:40 am    Post subject: Graflex flash cord Reply with quote

Lost my household plug to household plug cord used to connect an extension flash to my on-camera flash. Instead of having Paramount make me a custom cord, can I just buy two AC household plugs and put them on an electrical wire cord, the kind on all electrical appliances, or does it take a thinner gauge cord?
_________________
I love the smell of flashbulbs in the morning
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
C. Henry



Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Location: North East Georgia, USA

PostPosted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most new household plugs are polarized (one blade wider than the other) therefore will not fit in the outlets on Graflex flash units. If you can find unpolarized household plugs a cord made up of two of them and appliance cord will work. Just be careful about the polarity when connecting the units together.

C. Henry
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Les



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 2682
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used standard lamp cord zip wire and those old pinch-on type house hold plugs. A couple of licks with a mill file on the fat fork solved the polarization problem.

And I'm not convinced you need to watch the polarity either. Unless you have a battery-condenser circuit, you are setting the bulbs up in parallel. If you get the polarity 'wrong', then the current comes in from the bottom tip and out the side socket instead of the other way around. I don't think the flashbulbs mind.
_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DHF845



Joined: 20 Jul 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Hudson Valley Area, Upstate NY

PostPosted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As an electrician, I can tell you, the thicker the wire, the better it works. Too thin a wire is where trouble starts. Thinner wires carry less current, can overheat, burn through, etc.
Polarity could be important if normally negative side of the circuit is grounded somewhere to battery case.
I have old flashguns that use the metal battery case as return circuit for ground current leaving the bulb. In low-volt DC, this isn't so bad, most of the energy has been disipated firing bulb and tripping solenoid.
If reversed, hot current would follow this path, carring full potential of circuit. Not dangerous at 3-6 volts. Could be if high voltage was used, like a 120 volt booster circuit for multiple flashbulbs.
When I used to shoot with flashbulbs, I always checked the wiring by testing polarity with a voltmeter/multimeter.
Household wiring uses the socket screw shell as neutral (white wire) and the base contact point on bottom of bulb is 'hot'. The outside of a brass lamp socket is grounded (or should be if the fixture is wired right). Neutral and ground are bonded together at the point of service, so reversing polarity can energize the outside of a light fixture, causing electrocution.
_________________
Got first Speed Graphic at 15 (1976).Other kids were using 35mm SLR's. I ran around with flashbulbs and sheet-film holders, I wanted to be Weegee (#2084).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
C. Henry



Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Location: North East Georgia, USA

PostPosted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are caution notes about polarity on pages 11 & 17 of the Graflite Instruction Manual.

C Henry
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
glennfromwy



Joined: 29 Nov 2001
Posts: 903
Location: S.W. Wyoming

PostPosted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On some flash guns, one prong will need too be smaller than the other, which will be old standard household size.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Graflex.org Forum Index -> Flash Help All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group