Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I've been having a lot of trouble with my alien bees 800 for my past 2 to 3 shoots.
I use a sync cord that connects to my Canon 5d (the cord is also a paul buff product) and to my 800 strobe head.

What's been happening is it will be flashing just fine, and then it will stop. Then it will start again, and then stop some more, sometimes for 1 or 2 flashes, or even dozens! And then, after turning the unit on or off, or flashing the tester, it will start again. And then..... stop.

I tried it with the model light on and off, no difference.
I jiggled the mini-mono plug in the strobe and it will flash on and off then.

I've had most of my equipment for about 2-2 1/2 years now and this issue has just come up.

I'm not sure if it's the sync cord, the strobe itself, or maybe the bulb?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Does is fire as you jiggle it (i.e., not using the camera, but while you are touching the sync cord), or it will start to work as normal after you jiggle it?

Does the sync jack feel loose as you jiggle it?

Yes it fires when i jiggle it, and then it will go back to normal (temporarily)

I don't think it feels loose but I will get a second opinion

Are you using the original cord, or are you using a cord with an adapter? Adapters can go bad, obviously causing issues.

Sure sounds like a short in the cord.


Kent in SD

I am using the original cord, but a short may be possible. I will get a new one and see if that fixes it. thanks everyone!