Experimental cheap ’n cheerful multi-flash

[Sam-D]

I would like to do some experimentation with a cheap, portable, homemade, radio controlled, multi-flash system.

The plan is to probably use Cactus V2 units (sorry cherryrig!) and scrounge/buy old battery flash guns. However, the major drawback to my cunning plan appears to be the triggering voltage issue. The Cactus has a maximum trigger voltage of 12v and any old/affordable flash units are likely to be of much higher voltage, as they were designed for film cameras capable of handling considerably more than 12 volts.

So, do any of you flash savvy togs know a neat way around this problem? Alternatively does anyone know of an old/affordable flash unit that was designed to operate below 12volts?

Any help or advice would be most welcomed.

Thank you.
Sam-D

[Steep]

If you find a cheap enough flash you can check this list to see if it's trigger voltage is listed.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

[photon]

Sunpak 422D or 444D or 30DX or 36DX or 383 Super etc are worth looking at. They have swivel/bounce heads and manual power outputs of full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16th.

One of `em on a Cactus here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephennorman/2405938769/

[Sam-D]

Many thanks for your help chaps.
Your advice has been most useful.
Sam-D