topic Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem in Speedlite Flashes

Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

PhotoSmurf — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:59:07 GMT

Hi

I have just bought a 600ex-rt ... But the batteries I put in it (which are all new) only result in a "replace battery" sign and the flash refuses to switch on.

I have tried 3 new sets of batteries, all are top grade lithium batteries, is there a known issue with lithium batteries - the manual says they can be used?

Many thanks for any info that could help.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

7D5D — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:13:19 GMT

Any luck with fresh alkaline? I've only used Eneloop Ni-MH in my 600. Sounds like a defective speedlite.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

PhotoSmurf — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:39:18 GMT

Just been out and bought some standard alkaline AA's - same result. Brand new batteries, nothing but the replace battery symbol.

If its defective, does it go back to canon under warranty? Or return to Amazon where I bought it from for replacement?

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

PhotoSmurf — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:06:08 GMT

Well, that's an oddity!!!

Put the batteries in and turned it on - nothing. Turned it on and closed battery cover while in the on position - and it's started working fine. Very odd.

Thanks for the replies.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

grace_g — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:24:35 GMT

Thank you for posting this. That fixed it for me. That is a crazy problem and I would like it fixed.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

TomasLoewy — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:01:56 GMT

just received my new 600-EXRT... directly from canon.

and i get the same problem as you guys had.

i also though there might be some trick, but closing the battery cover while the flash is on ON with the batteries inside doesn't work.

i get the symbol with a crossed out battery - which tells me that the unit IS getting power from somewhere, how else could it display the symbol...

I have been happily using these great sanyo eneloop rechargables forever with the 580EXII (and before that with the 430EX), they are the best rechargable batteries i believe...

but when i take them out of the 580EXII (which powers on nicely, as always) and put those same charged batteries into the 600 EX-RT the symbol with a crossed out battery appears...

what's wrong???

does the 600 EX-RT need special rechargable batteries?

should it be relevant: these are the batteries:

http://amzn.to/XBAm6F

any additional ideas?

thanks!

tomas

tomasloewy.com

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

7D5D — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:13:14 GMT

Makes no sense. I also use the same batteries, used them in a 580EX II and a couple of 430 EX IIs. Now I'm using them in a couple of 600s.

Not an expert on batteries but maybe there is a partial charge or battery memory issue going on. I do recondition my eneloops from time to time.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

TomasLoewy — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:03:03 GMT

thanks for the thoughts... and i also will agree: it makes no sense...
again: i am literally taking them out of the 580 and putting those into the 600...

i also wrote canon support, so let's see if they come up with a reply. i'll share

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

TomasLoewy — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:05:18 GMT

stupid question, independent of the 600 question: how do you recondition your eneloops?

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

7D5D — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:20:32 GMT

My Powerex charger has a reconditioning mode. This is one of Syl Arena recommended chargers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E5S648/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

laurie_rhodes — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:57:08 GMT

Hi,

did you ever find a solution for this problem. two out of my three 600-ex-rt's have just "developed" this problem after working for a year? thank you.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

laurie_rhodes — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:59:38 GMT

did you find a solution to your problem with the "battery dead" symbol?

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

digitaldubuque — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:09:03 GMT

Same thing here. Strange. Thank you for this post

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

hcgraham — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:07:11 GMT

I just got my 600 EXRT and I put new batteries into the device and found the same issue. I called around and found a solution that could help you. I powered the device down. Next I held down the two clear buttons under the display and turned the device on. I then move the power switch to lock and the device began working. I believe it reset the system and cleared out the problem.

Hope this helps!

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

nvs397 — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 22:53:15 GMT

Hey guys,

I too have this issue. I bought a new 600ex-rt from thecamerastore (calgary), and no atter what type of batteries I put in (duracel AA, or Energgizer Advanced lithium), I got the dead battery symbol. This is hyper frustrating, I've tried everything so far suggested in the forums. Anyone have any ideas?

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

nvs397 — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 22:58:25 GMT

I can confirm the above method of the reset with the clear screen hold, turn to on and then to hold.

It didn't work the first time, it took me 5-6 tries to do it.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

SimonDK — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 04:11:14 GMT

Hi there,

i had the same problem, i tried with my Eneloop but got the battery indicator, then tried with some alkaline (duracell) and the same problem, however i left the alkaline batteries in for a few minutes (i think the flash was OFF meanwhile) and after that it worked, seems like the system needed to get some juice into it first.

i havn't had the batteries in all night, and just popped them back in now, and there was no problem/wait, so perhaps it is just a firsttime thing ?

hope this helps, i was ready to replace my unit... i dont get why the manual says nothing about this "issue" .. that was very frustrating.

Regards

Simon

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

rdance3 — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 02:18:32 GMT

I had the same problem. First I tried new batteries. No luck. I have two 600EX-RTs so I swapped batteries. The "Bad Batteries" workered in the other unit. The other units' batteries wouldn't work in the unit in question. I tried hitting the reset buttuns with no luck. I had had the new unit for a few month's but haden't used since I first got it. I was ready to return it. But of course I came here first. Holding down the two reset buttuns while turning the unit on is a challenge. Especially when you're ready to throw the thing down. First I tried holding the two buttons down while going from off to on and then lock. No luck. I tried it a few times. Then it tried holding the buttons down while going from off to lock then on. No luck again. Then I tried opening the battery compartement, turning the unit on and then closing the door. No luck again. I gave the first solution again, by holding the two buttons down, going from off to on then lock. Then it worked. This was at 10:00 at night and I was tired and might not have all the sequences exact, but the moral of the story is to try and try again. Hope this helps.

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

Nukemttg — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 13:48:06 GMT

Finally got it running doing the clear screen hold/reset and then turn on method. As you said it took more than one try - in my case seven times. Thanks to nvs397 for pointing out that you have to do it multiple times or I would have been stuck.

Kind of a stupid thing to have to do. Not sure why Canon cannot fix this...

Re: Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem

SteynLaubscher7 — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 08:16:36 GMT

Hi

I just unboxed my 600ex-rt and it shows the same battery symbol... I put the flash on my camera and te af assist beam actually works but the screen shows the striked out battery and the flash does not go off... I tried the on position with the battery cover and it doesn't work... Any advice??