Help .. 10bar flash housing problem ..

[Wisnu]

I would like to have TTL strobe for my Oly SP-350 w/ PT-030 to replace my Epoque ES-230DS. Since I’m happy with my Metz 58AF-1 – very powerful and accurate; then I decided to buy the housing from 10bar.
The flash housing package arrived with Oly 5-pins sinc cord; but no diffuser, no instruction manual. I can’t find the instruction manual from their website. But the big problem was the housing lid could not be closed properly with the flash inside the housing. The two upper control lever hit the flash body. The hotshoe bracket was mounted too high approx. 2-3 mm.
Not having diffuser is not big problem but not able to close the lid is disaster. Immediately, I e-mailed 10bar; but no response until my 4th e-mail. Finally, I get the replacement hotshoe bracket – still no instruction manual; no diffuser.
The good thing is, now I can install the flash can close the cover completely BUT the two upper control button still can’t be used as the tips of the lever do not locate properly with the buttons. Luckily the power button is okay, so at least I can switch on/off the flash.
Then another problem is coming. The flash does not communicate with the camera. I sent e-mail again to 10bar , wait 2 days no response, re-sent, wait 2 days still no response.
I understand not many people here using the 10bar housing for Metz but I hope somebody can help me not to waste my 500 bucks investment.
Although I am not familiar with camera/flash electronic system and no instruction manual available; I have done the following checks:

1. Mount the flash directly to the camera to ensure either camera and flash talk to each other.
2. Connect the camera/housing with my Epoque ES230DS via Epoque Oly sinc. Cord. All are okay; the camera can trigger the strobe without any problem. I can conclude the Oly PHCB-01 hotshoe cable and the bulk head have no problem.
3. Measure the resistances on all 5-pins, seem okay not more than 0.6 ohm.
4. Installed the sync. Cord to the flash housing and measure the resistance on all 5-pins; seem only 4-pins are connected. See below diagram. Pin no. 1, 3, and 4 are 0.8 ohm. Pin no. 2 is 26 ohm and pin 5 no conductance.

Any clue what’s wrong here ?
What should I do other than using the housing for snack container

 

[ScubaBasics]

My guesses would be:high resistance due to a flood, bad solder connection on pin/recepticle or plating on a connection. Bad spring pin in hotshoe.

 

[Wisnu]

Scubabasic Thanks for advise
So far still no response from 10Bar.
I will check if I can do somehing to fix it.
Can I assume that to have TTL communication all these 5-pins must works ?
How about the pins arrangement. Seem from the above diagram - the pins arrangement on the hot shoe (1,2,3,4,5) is not same as on the end of the sync. cord (3,5,4,1,2).
Note - there's no pin numbering on the sync cord, these number just to help me to identify the pins.

 

[ScubaBasics]

I do not have my pin out chart until tomorrow. 1 pin probably has no connection. If system is TTL, 4 pins will be used.

 

[ScubaBasics]

If you are looking at the end of the cord, Pin 1 is Ground, 2 no connection, 3 ready, 4 trigger, 5 quench As far as I can tell.
You should be able to hook up strobe to cord and short trigger and ground pins on hot shoe to test the hot shoe and cord.

 

[Ninji]

Scubabasic Thanks for advise
So far still no response from 10Bar.
I will check if I can do somehing to fix it.
Can I assume that to have TTL communication all these 5-pins must works ?
How about the pins arrangement. Seem from the above diagram - the pins arrangement on the hot shoe (1,2,3,4,5) is not same as on the end of the sync. cord (3,5,4,1,2).
Note - there's no pin numbering on the sync cord, these number just to help me to identify the pins.

I was considering getting a 10Bar housing and also sent them emails to ask about their products, I have sent 3 emails over a week plus now and also still no response.
Would you suggest getting a 10Bar housing?

 

[Wisnu]

ScubaBasic,
Thanks again for the advise - you've encouraged me to check and check again. Indeed, the sync. cord is okay.
Finally, the problem are fix just by cleaning all the pins and terminals. Seem the quality of the sync. cord and the hotshoe connevtion at the housing are not very good.
Now my camera can communicate well with my Metz 58AF-1.

The problem with control button still remain. I can only switch off/on the flash - that's all
Until todate, still no response from 10bar.
Seem I have to live with that - I will not take risk to play and or attemp to fix the control buttons.
I also have to accept they send me the housing without diffuser and no operating manual available anywhere.

Next step is to check this housing in the water.

Ninji,
With those problems - and very poor response; very difficult for me to make any recommendation for 10bar products.
I don't think I will ever purchase any 10bar products again.