Long shot on Metz flash units

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I recently inherited (I guess) two old Metz flash units, a 45 CT-3 and a 32 CT-3. Sadly they both came with batteries installed and long corroded.
I've neutralised all of the acid, replaced corroded rivets in battery boxes with 2mm brass screws and nuts. These units both appear to be dead, the 45 will light up the ready LED but won't flash.
What I'm trying to find is any information with schematics for these units, I'll strip them down and go through the electronics to find and replace any faulty components. They would have been working when last used.
I have meters, power supplies and a cathode ray oscilloscope plus soldering stations at my disposal and reasonable knowledge (or did have when I repaired TVs, radios and video equipment).

[JA]

Hi Leo,

Be very careful with the storage capacitor in these units; it can give you a BIG jolt. Anyway I once acquired a Metz 45 at a market and found it not working due to main capacitor lead being broken - an easy fix. At the age of these units I would CAREFULLY test and inspect all the components especially all capacitors, once discharged, and then check the PCB for broken tracks or dry /ineffective joints, burnt out components etc... Also check flash function via the TEST button (you've probably already done that) AND check the flash function via the SYNC cable to a camera . This may alert you a flash firing problem in the triggering cable or circuitry or NOT.

Look at Youtube for repair/disassembly videos as they sometimes provide a clue to common faults.

Best
JA

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Mate, this page may be of some help, but I haven't tested any of the links on it. Proceed with caution.
https://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashe...tz_flashes.htm

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Thank you gentlemen!
Yes JA, I'm aware of the bite of capacitors, been stung by too many picture tubes (and capacitors) during strip downs when working at Rank and National Panasonic in Penrith, one big capacitor with one BIG bite. One of my jobs at National I'd have my hand in the rear of the set making adjustments while my face was inches from the screen. Then they'd switch to models with the live chassis and it was one blind grab by mistake (everything was done blind by feel but with the live chassis you felt so much more when you got it wrong).


I've seen that site Warren, I often refer to his information but I don't remember it having schematics, I looked at so much I don't actually remember what he had there but I find a lot about old camera information through Mr Butkus. Ah, they are user manual scans, still handy, thanks!