Camera Model 360 flashgun #365

[nigelS]

Has anyone any experience of converting the batteries in the #365 flashgun please?

[xya]

yes, I replaced them with success. there is a very good howto here http://www.landlist.ch/landlist/how2-365batt.htm. I bought NiCad cells like the original ones to be able to use the charger.

you can also build an external battery case for ordinary batteries on the top of the flash. in any case, once the old cells are out, have a test with powerful big batteries like C cells whether the electronics still work. often the big capacitors are dead. good luck!

[scaf]

Hi,

I converted successfully my flashgun :


Below is the top cover. The battery pack is now stuck on the top cover.
The pack is modified : the battery voltage should be 3V. In order to have 4 batteries but not 6V, 2 of them are serial connected, the other two are serial connected, too. The two bundles are parallel connected.
The batteries are NiMH; therefore, I can't use the original charger anymore. I charge them with a modern charger.
I can even use non rechargeable batteries.

[nigelS]

Thank you xya and scaf for your replies. I haven't yet purchased the #365 flashgun and the one I have seen is very expensive at €50 with postage if there is a risk the capacitor is non-functioning. I assume that to take the #365 flash gun the Model360 camera must be x sync, not m sync? If that is so then will another standard electronic flashgun like a Sunpack or Braun work just as well on the 360?

[xya]

it's a bit more complicated. the flash and the camera communicate, there are electronics in the camera that are guided by the flash. at the same time the power of the flash is controlled via the flash shutter blinds according to the distance set. it's a full automatic system.

If you take an external flash, be sure to have one which is power controlled. as the shutter doesn't know about the flash, there might be errors with very dark situations, as the camera might choose long shutter speeds. but yes, it's possible. I had one which was modified to a hot shoe instead of the special connection. I have not done it myself, but as there are only 4 wires, you will be able to find out. if you want to keep the original contacts, a power connection cable from a computer hard disk cut to single connections fits on the camera contacts...

my modified camera was fine with a Braun BVC computer controlled flash. good luck!

[consommable]

Three AAA batteries are enough and we can't see anything.

[xya]

Three AAA batteries are enough and we can't see anything.

??? enough for what? we can't see what?

I had 3 of theses flashes with dead cells. when I tested mine, even AA batteries were not sufficient. only when I connected big C batteries, 2 of them worked again, one had a dead capacitor. scaf says the same, you need at least 4 AA batteries connected to 3V.

[consommable]

Confusion, is the razor that needed three new AAA.

Flash 365 received two rechargeable 2/3A.

[nigelS]

Thank you for all your replies. Looking through the comments I think it is much too complicated and expensive so my Model 360 and will remain without flash. I also have a Model 355 and the correct #268 flash. The clear M class bulbs are still plentiful and cheap-as-chips (not sure how well that translates 'pas cher comme frites'!) so I will stick to that setup.