Busch B-C Flashing Unit

[young]

<p>So I finally bought a Speed Graphic. YAY me.<br>

However, it came with a Busch B-C Flashing Unit, and a sync cord. Now the cord fits the unit, but I don't think it fits the Ektar 127mm I have. Anyhow, can anyone point me towards some information regarding this unit. <br>

Will the cord fit the Kodak, or is it suppose to be used with the Graflex version. <br>

Do I really have a "Flash" Ektar? The lens has two prongs on top, but the cord wont go down all the way, and is very loose when I try to attach it. Something is not working here.</p>

<p>Third, Will the little screw adapter thing work with #25 blue dot bulbs?<br>

Last, can I find a working battery for this unit?</p>

<p>Since I haven't taken a picture of the unit yet, it's about 10" long, aluminum, with a screw base that reveals a brown disk. The disk comes out to allow battery installation. That's about all I know at this point.</p>

<p>Thanks--</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>BC stands for Battery Capacitor. I do not know of any on line or offline info on the Busch flash units but they are most likely similar to and will work very similar to Graflex Graflite flash units. <a href="http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GrafliteService.pdf">http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GrafliteService.pdf</a> and <a href="http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GrafliteManual.pdf">http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GrafliteManual.pdf</a> . I do not know what cord you have but it may be an extension cord not a sync cord. The manual link(s) may help you identify it. </p>

<p>The Ektar 127mm is most likely in a Kodak Supermatic shutter. Being you have two small pins on top it is a Flash Supermatic. The pins are called BiPost. There are many versions of the Flash Supermatic depending on the era it was made in. <a href="http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kodak_4.html">http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kodak_4.html</a></p>

<p>Yes the Mazda base adapter should accept #25 flash bulbs.<br>

<a href="http://www.graflex.org/flash/technical.html">http://www.graflex.org/flash/technical.html</a></p>

<p>The BC flash probably uses standard D size batteries. Current alkaline batteries are as close to the Photo batteries of the '50's that are available today.</p>

[young]

<p>Here are some pictures finally.<br>

<img src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Brulin/IMG_0331.jpg" alt="" width="364" height="275" /> <img src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Brulin/IMG_0332.jpg" alt="" width="361" height="270" /><br>

So this is the flash unit in question. The extention deal (not pictured)<br>

will accept a #25, which is good, because that's all I have.</p>

<p><img src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Brulin/IMG_0333.jpg" alt="" width="358" height="268" /><br>

As you can see, there is no way a 'D' size battery will fit in there.</p>

<p><img src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Brulin/IMG_0335.jpg" alt="" width="356" height="267" /><br>

The cord in question.</p>

<p><img src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Brulin/IMG_0337.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I left this image huge so I could show how the cord does not fit on my Ektar. The bolt pattern<br>

on the posts is just too big so that the plug will not engage. That, or the post it's self is too long.<br>

I would really like to use this flash, as it has a cord already. My other flash unit (Argus) I don't have a cord for.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

[ivan_j._eberle1]

<p>Reputedly the charging cord from a modern electric shaver like a Norelco will fit some bi-post shutters.</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>After doing some research on graflex.org help board the BC flash was introduced in 1951 by Busch and others. Many BC units use a 22.5v battery such as the Eveready 412 which is currently out of stock at radio shack online ( <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3417565">http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3417565</a> ). I do not know what battery your BC unit uses.</p>

<p>The cord you pictured has a household connector on one end but I do not know what the other end is. Household-BiPost cords can be found at good camera stores that carry studio lighting. They can also be ordered from paramount cords. <a href="http://www.paramountcords.com/">http://www.paramountcords.com/</a><br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40154-REG/Paramount_PM11S_Bi_Post_Graflex_to_Household.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40154-REG/Paramount_PM11S_Bi_Post_Graflex_to_Household.html</a> <br>

or <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40155-REG/Paramount_PM16C_Bi_Post_Graflex_to_Household.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40155-REG/Paramount_PM16C_Bi_Post_Graflex_to_Household.html</a></p>

[young]

<p>Hey! <br>

Thanks for all the great info. I'll see if I can't make something work. I may have to edit that cord.<br>

Thanks again!</p>