What's in the handle of a Sunpak 522/544/555 Unit? Can I cut it off?

I love these flash units for portable lighting (6 AAs go a long

way!). I hate the clumsy handles for mounting on light stands. I'm

contemplating cutting off the handles to make a more compact light,

which will also help my storage issues as I transport 4-6 lights to

different jobs. It would also make them suitable for bouncing into

small umbrellas because that handle really boosts the flash above

the center axis of the umbrella by quite a bit.

 

So before I break out the saw, what's in those handles? Anything I

need to worry about? Or is it just a hollow plastic tube?

 

Thanks so much!

You are in for a shocking experience - the handle holds a large capacitor.

Mine is almost full : a large capacitor and a circuit board. Disassemble your flash (there are tiny screws all over) and you'll see. So you won't be able to rip it off...

I love this question.

hehe,

I did it only once. If you will do it, dont touch enything because there is a lot of power everywhere and for long time! I get so big hit just because my little screwdriver just slide of from screw. The hit was so big! I just throw everything into the air and was watching my scorch finger ... :)

Well a hand held flash capacitor contains about 30-50 Joules (when it is charged of course), this is enough to vaporize about 100 milligrams of water. It doesn't seem much, but it still makes a decent chunk of a finger...

If the you touch it with both hands and the current goes through your body, you're in trouble.

I am now typing with one finger. All the others are pretty much immobile and I have a strange tingling sensation in my arms. I smell like burnt plastic and flesh, too. Damn those capacitors!

 

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll work something else out. My final solution will probably be based on Vivitar 285HV units since they are fairly compact.