Nikon SB-900 Overheating Explanation & Solution (Part 1)

[dkhaas1]

I wonder if it isn't a design error that Nikon didn't design this flash to work with rechargeable batteries. The ones that you already know most professionals use. I've been using rechargeables with my sb800's for 6 years without ever overheating. I flash a lot more than 200 in an hour. I am concerned about purchasing this unit. Sounds more like a fussy flash than user error.

[superkiwizorro]

@dkhaas1 again, the sb-800 is small and doesn't require much battery power, unlike the sb-900. rechargeable batteries will do fine on sb-800 as long as you remember to let it recycle first before firing the next flash. definitely not design flaw because why would nikon keep selling it? if you're still happy with sb-800s, then no need to upgrade.

[supersnigeln007]

@dkhaas1 Well I have SB-800 and the only time I overheat my flash when I use rechargeable batteries?

[superkiwizorro]

@supersnigeln007 it means either your rechargeable batteries are about to go bad or you're firing the flash on near-dead batteries.

[mettalliko]

i made a huge mistake i sold 4 sb800 to get 4 sb900 i used only energizer lithium batteries and it overheated too,i shoot about 50-80 pics per hour with these batteries,with the sb800 i could do 200-250 per hour like nothing,i cannot afford to have the bride down the aile with my sb900 dead,what i do now is to carry 2 sb900 one on the camera and the other ready to replace the dead one,and rest it for 10 minutes,it is a pain but i love the sb900 even i regret sold my sb800

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You're just stressing your SB-900's too much. There are workarounds in these videos.

[alexseretis]

I have a sb900 which has the latest 5.2 software and a D90 camera, I can't seem to find the FP mode on my flash, am I missing something? how do i get this to come up.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The firmware update does not have anything to do with the SB-900's software (menus, etc.) - just hardware improvements. Auto-FP is accessible via the camera's menus, not the flash. It is e5 in the menus.

[designraving]

I recently went to a workshop with Joe McNally and was told by him and the nikon Reps there that said to  "turn off the the thermal shutdown switch." I said that I heard if you do that then it will void the warranty. They both said "turn it off"

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You can turn it off but keep your eye on the SB-900's flash head and stop if it starts to get warm. However, we would not recommend turning it off, leave it turned on. Better to be safe than sorry.

[allgoo19]

From Nikon. com

SB-900 specification.

Minimum recycling time:

NiMH---2.3 sec

Alkaline---4 sec

My experience tells me, in general (because I don't kow about SB-900), NiMH is always faster than Alkaline, about half way of its capacity Alkalines become so slow, almost un-usable(longer than 30 sec).

I think, in your video, you forgot to dump the juice in the capacitor before put in the Alkalines.

Try backward (Alkalne first, then NiMH) and see if you get the same result.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The timings are for batteries as they are being used excessively (not fresh or near to end of their lifespans). We just tried that and the results are the same.

[allgoo19]

@Lilkiwiguy87

"We just tried that and the results are the same.."

So, why Nikon's own specification(which is roughly matches to my experience and many others) are so off from your result?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Action speaks louder than words, the videos proved it.

[cjgan80]

Have you ever got your SB600 overheating?

cause i do sometimes..

and smells like burnt toast...

literally...

[Lilkiwiguy87]

All speedlights overheat with improper care.

But yours smell like a burnt toast? Sounds like there's dust inside the flash chamber. When dust make contact with the flash lamp, it burns fast. Have Nikon take a look at it and clean if needed.

[nintendodude01]

Strange, my 580 EX II seems to recharge quicker on Ni-Mh batteries compared to alkaline.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It is because the 580EX II is a midget compared to the SB-900.

[nintendodude01]

huh? no. the alkaline vs NiMh "point" you made doesn't make any sense - NiMh batteries have a much lower internal resistance and can thus be used in high amperage applications with more success. I used to be heavily involved with RC cars - try using Alkaline batteries with those small motors - you will lose all of your torque and acceleration. I did a test and my flash recycles from 1/1 in 5.5 seconds with fresh alkalines (Energizer) and 1.9 seconds with 2500 MaH Energizer NiMH AA .

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uh huh.

You got the results on the 580EX II; the results is very different on the SB-900.

The tests in the video proved very clearly that fresh primary AA alkalines have the fastest recycling time because of its higher voltage of 1.5V compared to rechargeable batteries' lower voltage of 1.2V.

When primary batteries are about to go bad, the recycling times will be slower and longer.

[pedalman]

Hi lilkiwiguy,

Well for a puter nucklehead im breathing on my fingernails and shining them on my sweat top !!

I did the SB900 firmware upgrade , not only that I also upgraded my D3 ...pride comes before a fall I thought, but no, everything still works!! Phew!

The only hold up was I had to download "stuffit" expansion software to extract the file for the SB900.

The D3 was self extracting.

You were right it is a piece of cake really and if I can manage it anybody can.

Thanks again for brill vids.

[pedalman]

Has anyone tried to download the 5.0.2 firmware from the Nikon website for the SB900 ?

Was it / is it easy to do ?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Piece of cake, just follow the instructions on Nikon's website.

But, 5.0.2 does not solve SB-900 overheating "issue".

[pedalman]

I remember from your vid that the new firmware doesn't have anything to do with the thermal cut out but solves the overexposure bug ( I wont call it a "problem" 'cos it doesn"t happen on every shot ) but I have noticed it happening and wondered why so it would be nice to get the new fix for it.

What stupid things could someone do to mess the download up ? 'cos if there is something stupid to mess it up I'm the one who'll probably do it .

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Okay, if you are that concerned, please watch our How to Update Your Camera's Firmware Tutorial video because updating SB-900 firmware are very identical.

[pedalman]

Thanks, I will do that, I have learned tons from your videos that I wouldn't have grasped from RTFM .

[pedalman]

Well Lilkiwiguy is spot on with this problem. I bought a SD9 battery pack for my SB900 last july and filled both with high capacity 2850mha rechargeable batteries,12 in total.

The flash continued to overheat and turn off in some situations.

just three days before seeing these videos (20th Jan ) I did a wedding where doves were released by the bride, so D3, 9fps, F6.3, ISO 1250, 800th sec to freeze the doves bodies fired off eight shots and the flash overheated ! 1.2 volts is not enough.

[WeddedBlitz]

Sod little batteries, get a Quantum pack. Problem solved.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uhm, you only watched Part 1 of 4. Quantum Turbo is mentioned in Part 4. So, start watching all parts.

[WeddedBlitz]

I worded it wrong sorry, of course i use Duracell as well which powers the internal "computer" but you can flash all day with a quantum turbo compact . As for overheating I turned the pesky temp bleep off. Great vid series!

[pedalman]

Weddedblitz, Do you still get the sb900 overheating with your quantum turbo ?

If overheating still occurs then a quantum or Duracell 1.5v isnt the answer to overheating, only to recycle times.....???

1.2v batteries may get hotter but its the temp at the flash head that causes the flash to shut down .

Im even more confused now.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Either way, SD-8A / SD-9 (using Duracell Copper Top Alkalines) or Quantum Turbo 2x2 / SC, works like charm for us.

No, the flash lamp doesn't overheat because it is not designed to do that, it's the current that goes through the flash from the batteries with low voltages (1.2V for example). Current uses energy, energy moves fast, fast requires pressure, pressure have the tendency of getting hot, hot results in, of course, overheating.

We just cleared this. A very basic physics problem.

[pedalman]

Thanks again for clearing this up , you have a skullfull of knowledge.

I was confused 'cos someone else (who thought they knew something) said that the thermal sensor was in the flash head and he was thinking of putting aluminium foil on the top 'cos it overheats more on a hot sunny day !!!!!!.

A load of old b****cks .

You have now just cleared this and that should be the end of that discussion.

Im of to buy a 2x2 quantum. HeHe !

Thanks.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The thermal shut off is designed to turn off itself (preventing you to use the flash) to allow it to cool off before you can use it again. It is not for the flash tube alone, it is for the circuits that carry the electricity from the batteries. Turning it off is very risky because it could result in malfunction to the SB-900.

Rent the Quantum Turbo FIRST to see if you like it or not.

You would need CKE (non-coiled) or PM-CKE (coiled) cable to hook up the SB-900 to Quantum Turbo 2x2 / SC.

[rafasilva1]

But that it's just ridiculous, I have set myself as flash wants. I'm doing a wedding then I can't "heavily" fire my flash using rechargeable batteries because it wil overheat, I'm supposed to use primary batteries or my flash will turn off. I'm no from the US, and here in my country alkaline batteries such as Duracell Copperheads are not cheap.

Then enlight me, how i'm supposed to work if have to "obbey" the flash unit needs?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Piece of cake, crank the ISO up at least two stops, buy a Nikon SD-8A or SD-9 battery pack (or Quantum Turbo 2x2 battery pack), and don't shoot at low apertures (keep it F/4.0 or higher).  The SB-900 will last all day with all of these suggestions on single charge of batteries.

[rafasilva1]

Thanks for the tip, very helpfull!!!

[riceeater123]

To Likiwiguy87:

Rechargeables have faster rec time compared to alkies. Try using a fully charged 2500mah and do the same test again. This time insert the duracell first, then dump it at full power, and try the rechargeables right after. I bet you the rechargeable will bet the alkies hand down. I did this test with my sb-800 years ago.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You need to watch the video AGAIN; we already did that and it proves rechargeable batteries fail to keep it up with the recycling times.

For every test in all four videos, the rechargeable battery is fresh and fully recharged, so are the alkalines.

Again, in this video, it clearly states you can use rechargeable batteries in non-heavy shooting situations.

By the way, you did it on a SB-800, not SB-900, the results are very different.

[pedalman]

After watching all four videos Im totally convinced you are correct about rechargeables, but just one pointless question.... Even if one uses 2850mah rechargeables is it the 1.2volts that is the problem, just not enough voltage? Im expecting the answer to be yes.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, that is correct. higher mAh have absolutely nothing to do with recycling times; it is simply battery's capacity (life). The higher mAh your batteries have, the longer it lasts. The lower mAh your batteries have, the shorter it lasts.

Recycling times have everything to do with voltage speed (1.2V and 1.5V). 1.5V have stronger current than 1.2V, which results in faster recycling times. 1.2V are pushing it, which becomes hot then SB-900 gets hot then, finally, it overheats.

[emeraldman2006]

Great Video ! Very professional and full of great information..

Big thank you !

[GTGASD]

I use energizer rechargable2500mah AA 1.2v. I took about 70 flash photos at the beach today. It did overheat at one point which brought me to your video. It's very educational. But when I turn on my flash even now my red light turns on instantly. My ready light turns on before the screen is fully displayed. That's for those looking to buy a good rechargeable AA. And I use the Energizer 15min charger with car adapter.

Adrian

[Lilkiwiguy87]

All batteries are like that, turning on before the LCD are being displayed.

Looks like it overheated due to moisture coming from salted water and sand. Watch the fourth video in this series for additional information.

[HTCSWEOD]

Hi Lilkiwiguy...

I'm going to have to take you to task on this one I'm afraid :}

I'm using the SB-900's in groups every day... and I use rechargeable batteries exclusively in them. Your data as presented here, is not the case across the board...

Sanyo eneloop AA out perform the copper tops each time, every time. I use nothing else.. I fire all my SB-800 and SB-900 units with these exclusively. New out of the pack, they read 1.25 V as read with my Fluke T5-600 multi meter... try them!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uh, yeah, you need to watch the video AGAIN.

It states very clearly, "The user could use rechargeable batteries, however, it is NOT recommended when using the SB-900 heavily such as firing the camera + flash continuously up to 200 or more images per hour."

Rechargeable batteries works fine in slow and controllable shooting situations such as using Nikon Creative Lighting System and / or in a studio, but not for uncontrollable situations like at a wedding or sports events.

[HTCSWEOD]

Thanks for the condescension

[jjandayan14]

thanks again !!! ;)