SB800 - Stuck flash head, please help

[mikeyw]

Hi,
Somehow the the case on the hinge of my sb800 flash has cracked and stopped moving upwards. It rotates as usual but on pressing the release button its stays locked in the forward position
Anybody any ideas what may be causing this ? Is it easy enough to take the head apart to check ?

 

[redsnappa]

Be careful you don't electrocute yourself in the process, there are more than 300v floating around the innards of flash guns.

 

[Box Brownie]

Be careful you don't electrocute yourself in the process, there are more than 300v floating around the innards of flash guns.

AFAIK even once the batteries have been removed the capacitor will still hold a significant charge. Not sure about more modern designs but on older ones you could ensure they discharged by turning it on an pressing the "test" button until it ceased firing.......but beware it was likely some charge remained but not enough to fire the flash. Whether such a residual charge would be enough to give you a 'real jolt' is moot?