Power the flash with rechargeable D-cell batteries

For maximizing the lifetime of the flashes I use for cameratrapping, I have modified the flash units to take two dummy batteries, that carries the current from a total of 12 rechargeable Eneloop batteries.

sb28-flash-4 — Battery holder with four D-cell adapters. 16 AWG wires soldered on to the ears.

The battery holder

Let's start with the battery holder. I use a 4 x D-cell battery holder with ears where a wire can ble soldered on. I have soldered a red (positive) and black (negative) 16 AWG wire and connected them to a XT 60 male connector.

sb28-flash-9 — Make sure you get a good solder. Here I have secured it with heat-shrink tubing.

sb28-flash-10 — Positive and negative wires from the battery holder is soldered on to a XT60 male connector.

The female connector has two wires going to the dummy batteries which are placed inside the flash unit.

sb28-flash-5 — Two dummy batteries with a screw on the end, soldered on to the female XT60 connector.

The dummy batteries

I made the dummy batteries of a hollow carbon rod, cut a bit shorter than a AA battery. At the end, I have soldered the cable to a screw, and this end is going into the flash. The length of the rod and the screw head should match the length of a AA battery. I then wrapped it with electrical tape.

sb28-flash-6 — I drilled two small holes in the flash battery door to make the wires fit through.

To get the wires to fit through the battery door, I had to make a couple of small holes in the door using a Dremel. This way you can close the battery door.

sb28-flash-12 — I use Eneloop Pro rechargable batteries and D-cell adapters, that holds 3 AA batteries.

The batteries

I use D-cell adapters, which each holds 3 x AA batteries. These are placed inside the battery holder, and if everything is connected properly, the flash should now get power.

Ensure that the AA batteries and the D-cell adapters are placed with the correct polarity.

sb28-flash-7 — Camtraptions battery holder with pre-made cable for powering the receiver.

Powering the receiver

Attached to the flash, is the Camtraptions receiver I use for getting the trigger signal from the transmitter attached on the camera. Ready made battery holders for D-cell batteries along with the correct cable is available at the Camtraptions store, so here I did not to do any soldering or modifications. I simply use my D-cell adapters with AA batteries in them.

sb28-flash-1 — The two battery packs is placed inside the foam cutouts. Flash and receiver is placed on top of the lower foam layer.

Fitting it all together

I use a Pelican-like case for storing my flash and battery packs. It has two layers with foam inserts. In the bottom one, I peeled out foam to make room for the two battery holders and a notch for the receiver attached to the flash hot shoe.

Then I place my flash on top of the bottom foam layer, and have made room for it to point out the window of the case. I have also marked all the components with a identification code and number to keep track of it all. Useful if you have more than one flash case.

sb28-flash-3 — The flash unit case is all complete!

As a last finish, I spraypainted the case in earthy and muted colors to have it not stick out too much. On top of the lid I drilled a hole, and attached a clamp for securing the case to a twig or a stand.