AA Batteries as Backup

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Looking at some of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranger_gav/508699395/">hacks on flickr</a> encouraged me to begin testing the idea of running my flashes on a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.batteriesplus.com/p-32650-werker-6v-5ah-agm-battery-with-187-terminal.aspx">SLA (sealed-lead-acid) 6V battery</a>. It was $20 for the battery and $30 for the charger. I'm trying it on an old Vivitar flash right now and the results are promising. It'll recharge from a full blast in a second and repeat that…almost as fast as I can hit the button on the poverty wizard. It will recharge so fast that I worry about it burning out the flash. Instead of using straight wire or audio wire, I went with an extension cord so my flashes run on two blade HH (household) connections. To take full advantage of this, I put the female end with multiple plug in space at the battery so that I can run two flashes in one spot if needed. I look forward to trying this out with the skaters some time soon. I would encourage anyone with a soldering iron and an extension cord to try this out.<p>For the receiver end of the Gadget Infinity trigger setup, I purchased a two AAA battery holder ($2) at Radio Shack and soldered it to the receiver. It now holds rechargable NiMH AAA batteries instead of that CR2. I ordered a 12&quot; PC cable from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flashzebra.com/products.shtml">Flash Zebra</a> not to long ago and used it by cutting it into two pieces and soldering it to the flash that I have. I did this because I have Canon stuff (no PC connector) and the GI triggers have a PC connection.</p><p>Now I have a better powered flashes and improved triggers. <a target="_blank" href="http://racebmx.com/">BMX</a> on Saturday night will be a good test.</p><p /><br />