crafty pocketwizard cord mod

[wendellt]

hi guys

im trying to find out if i should mod this cord



its just a pc sync connector

want to cut pc end sync cord in half and graft a cord with a 1/4 microphone jack end to it
so i can trigger 2 sb800's with 1 pocketwizard

the 2 pc sync ends go into the sb800s and the cord connecting them spans off like a y shape into a 1/4 end into the pocketwizard
im no electrician so just wonderign if i do this adhoc if my craftyness is going to short circuit my equipment

thanks in advance

[gstark]

The question is really about whether or not you can use a soldering iron. If you're comfy with your soldering skills, then this is a very easy mod.

But, if you're not .....

[wendellt]

what if i justg twist the naked wires together and then gaffa tape for housing
will that do?

thanks

[Antsl]

Hi Wendel,
I have done a few mods like this ... the soldering is not a major problem and you are far better off soldering it (and doing the job properly) than twisting wires and gaffering. If you get desperate post the items to me and I will do it for you.
As an aside... the only thing I am worried about is whether the two SB800 sync contacts can be put into parallel ok. Someone?
Cheers, Ants

[wendellt]

hi ants

thankyou for your generous offer but id try it myself first before bothering you

if this thing doesnt work out theres always this thing
http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-strobe-brack ... m153.l1262

but its not very compact id prefer to use the pc sync connectors rather than the hotshoe

[Shoot]

what if i justg twist the naked wires together and then gaffa tape for housing
will that do?

thanks

Wendell,

Id suggest soldering them together although if you're going down this road id suggest that you also provide some strain relief for the join so that when the cable is stretched out pressure isn't applied to the join itself wires this small will almost certainly snap where the solder finishes. Also, im not sure about the pocketwizard and short circuiting your SB800's but something like this should work on the proviso that the SB800's don't need to talk to the pocket wizard.


Diodes are cheap, and when you get em youll see it has a grey or white bar towards one side. You want the bar closest to side of the 800's... This stops a back flow of current to the Pocktwizard but allows current to flow from the Wizard to the 800's. You'll also only need to install these diodes on the + wire, usually found as a insulated wire after the sheath is stripped back, the other is the - or shield which can be left alone and not cut into.

I tried posting a rough diagram if you want to try this, but it came out all screwy.. let me know if you want one and i can draw out exactly how to do it and email it to you.

[PiroStitch]

i had a quick search and this is what i found.

example

Hope that helps as well.

[jdear]

can't see it too well (bottom left image) but you could use a headphone splitter (like the ones you share an ipod between 2 headphones) at the PW and then cord 2 miniphone-sync cables from it to the flashes...

Jonathan

[gstark]

what if i justg twist the naked wires together and then gaffa tape for housing
will that do?

That's a recipe for unreliability and failure.

you could use a headphone splitter (like the ones you share an ipod between 2 headphones) at the PW and then cord 2 miniphone-sync cables from it to the flashes...

There's the suggestion to take from this thread. Just get the cables that have a pc socket at one end, and a 3.5mm mini jack at the other, and use a headphone splitter.

Easy, inexpensive, expandable, reliable. Perfect.

Thanx, Jonathan.

[Flatpick]

Okay.......

How am I going to explain to the bride that I need another two SB800's.

[jdear]

How am I going to explain to the bride that I need another two SB800's.

Dont you mean SB-900's??

Why does the bride need to be explained too?

[Flatpick]

How am I going to explain to the bride that I need another two SB800's.

Dont you mean SB-900's??

Why does the bride need to be explained too?

You musn't own a SHE WHO RULES THE ROOST to ask that question.

[MCWB]

How am I going to explain to the bride that I need another two SB800's.

Dont you mean SB-900's??

Why does the bride need to be explained too?

You musn't own a SHE WHO RULES THE ROOST to ask that question.

Forgiveness is infinitely easier to obtain than permission.

[gstark]

How am I going to explain to the bride that I need another two SB800's.

Dont you mean SB-900's??

Why does the bride need to be explained too?

You musn't own a SHE WHO RULES THE ROOST to ask that question.

Forgiveness is infinitely easier to obtain than permission.

And much more fun.

[Glen]

Wendell, I have a gas powered soldering iron, I can bring it on Saturday night for you to use

[Yi-P]

want to cut pc end sync cord in half and graft a cord with a 1/4 microphone jack end to it
so i can trigger 2 sb800's with 1 pocketwizard

I think its been discussed and done here:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=30549

Male or female connection, its your choice, process is the same. If you got some basic soldering skills, its relatively easy.

[wendellt]

you guys are the cats pyjamas!! thanks a million

brilliant ideas