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MAGICBYTIM Special user Louisiana 531 Posts |
I posted this on another thread but this may be a better place.
I have a wand that is approximately 1 inch in diameter and 16 inches long. It has a flash like a camera would have in one of the wand tips. Then it has a button about half way down. On the other end the tip can be removed and a "AA" battery is connected to the button and flash. I have this from a estate sale and the flash does not work. I have changed the battery but it still does not work. I am not sure who made these but I have not seen a new one for sale for ten years or so. It does not have directions. Does anyone know who made these? Does anyone know where to get replacement bulbs from? Thanks, Tim |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
From: http://members.misty.com/don/samflash.html#strbefd
Electronic Flash Dead After Long Time in Storage The unit may be totally dead or take so long to charge that you give up. For rechargeable units, try charging for the recommended time (24 hours if you don't know what it is). Then, check the battery voltage. If it does not indicate full charge (roughly 1.2 x n for NiCds, 2 x n for lead-acid where n is the number of cells), then the battery is likely expired and will need to be replaced. Even for testing, don't just remove the bad rechargeable batteries - replace them. They may be required to provide filtering for the power supply even when running off the AC line or adapter. For units with disposable batteries, of course try a fresh set but first thoroughly clean the battery contacts. The energy storage capacitor will tend to 'deform' resulting in high leakage and reduced capacity after long non-use. However, you should still be able to hear the high pitched whine of the inverter. Where the unit shows no sign of life on batteries or AC, check for dirty switch contacts and bad internal connections. Electrolytic capacitors in the power supply and inverter may have deteriorated as well. If the unit simply takes a long time to charge, cycling it a dozen times should restore an energy storage capacitor that is has deformed but is salvageable. This is probably safe for the energy storage capacitor as the power source is current limited. However, there is no way of telling if continuous operation with the excessive load of the leaky energy storage capacitor will overheat power supply or inverter components. Hope this helps. The problem with these wands is that the technology for making camera flashes changes yearly. To find an exact replacement for your bulb may be impossible, depending on the year it was made. However, you MIGHT be able to buy an inexpensive electronic flash camera unit, take it apart, and put the circuitry into your wand, or into a plastic broomhandkle from a Dollar Store broom or mop. If it works, better buy another unit so you'll have your own future replacement parts.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
magicjohn2278 Special user Isle of Man UK 544 Posts |
Quote:
However, you MIGHT be able to buy an inexpensive electronic flash camera unit, take it apart, and put the circuitry into your wand, You can get the parts from a "use once" disposable camera with flash.. I've just dismantled one for a similar project, it cost under £5 ($10). (I ignored the warning about dismantling the camera because of the risk of electric shock..... (from a 1.5 volt battery!???).... and got zapped! - Just a word of warning! Remove the battery and give the whole thing a few hours to discharge before proceeding further!) |
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