Help with Wein Safe Sync hotshoe adapter!

[dan magnus]

I had a problem with a brand new Wein Safe Sync hot shoe adapter, so

I got a new one home today. I inserted it into the hot shoe of my

20D (I know there's a pc sync, but I haven't been able to confirm

the voltage of my old Photogenic 4001 & 3001 strobes, so I wanted to

be "safe" and use the Safe Sync), and I connected my straight pc

cord.

 

I successfully took about 5 frames on the 4001 strobe before

deciding to try a few frames on the 3001 (different pc cord, smaller

male insert) - no problems. Then I unhooked the smaller pc cord and

re-connected the bigger cord for the 4001, however now the strobe

won't fire. I checked the connection with both the Safe Sync and the

strobe and all was fine. I cleaned the hotshoe contacts...still no

go.

 

I then tried it with another Wein hotshoe sync (an older one I had),

but not the Safe Sync. It then worked fine with both cords! This

makes me think it's the Safe Sync unit, though this is exactly what

happened with the one I returned last week. Besides, the "test"

button on the Safe Sync works fine.

 

I have a big shoot this Saturday using these lights, and although

I'm renting Pocket Wizards to try the wireless thing for the first

time, I want to know that I have a back-up way to fire my strobes

just in case. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[frank_kimble]

You say one of the connectors is smaller and after using it the larger one won't work? Sounds like the smaller connector is somehow deforming the connection on the Safe-Sync.

[dan magnus]

I may have been unclear...the pc terminal connector on both my pc cords are the same size - it's the pc cord's plug end (male end) that is different sizes (the PG4001ML's pc connection accepts a bigger plug than the PG3001). (sorry if I'm not using the correct terminoloty).

 

Update: I did read on other forums that other's have had problems with the HSHS Wein Safe Sync not firing consistently...some others stop working altogether as mine did. It may just be a defective Safe Sync (the 2nd from the same store). I may try one from another

store.

[steve_hovland]

My Safe Synch has been reliable. I've had more problems with cords, so a defective cord would be my first guess.

[steve_muntz]

I bought a Safe Sync almost a year ago to take to a lighting workshop. Didn't need it so I kept it for when I got around to buying some lights. I did that just recently and found out the PC terminal doesn't work on the Safe Sync. I tried a lot of other connections, and also stuck a continuity tester on the PC and confirmed it.

 

They were quick to respond and are sending me a replacement (2 yr warranty) but I'm wondering if it's the weak link in the chain, so to speak. Do your lights have an optical slave? That might be a backup for PW - which are next on my list.

[jerry_taylor]

I purchased a Wein Safe Sync to use on my Nikon D100 last year. It worked fine for about 2-3 months without fail. One day it didn't work. I tried removing the pc cord, replacing the pc cord...I took the safe sync off and put it back on...it started working. However, each time I needed to use it I had to go through what seemed like a 5 minute ritual just to get it to work. I finally purchased a Nikon AS-15 and it's worked fine ever since.