Thanks for such a wonderful posting, I have many Vivitar 283 & 285 flashes. I would really like to try and convert my flashes with these type of batteries but I am not mechanically inclined.
Want to clarify you cut the wood dowels the same length as a AA battery (not including the nipple) 1 7/8″ and drill a 1/8″ hole down the middle of both. You drill two holes into the Vivitar battery hold, but where I’m a little unclear is after you run the wires through the battery holder do you then wrap the wire around the screws and then insert them into the wood dowels? How do you keep the wires in place?
In seeking out the battery will this size suffice 6V 4.5Ah SLA (sealed lead acid) battery or is there anything else I need to be aware of?
Wow, been a long time since anyone commented or asked a question but glad you did.
You should strip the wire enough so that when the screws are put in place the ends will wrap around the head. Don’t make the screws too thick.
As for the battery, no more than 6V.
Hope this help have fun.
Thank you for your fast response to my questions? Since you are removing the contacts from the battery holder if I had a battery holders that did not work can I use it? Are you drilling the holes through the battery holder and then running the wire through the wood dowels and wrapping them around the screw head and then screwing the screw into the wood dowels? What type of wire are you using? I came across these batteries on eBay what do you think of them?
The battery is exactly the one you need.
Wire type is of the strand type and I think 8 gauge – found appliances like stoves and washing machines.
Yes, absolutely use a holder you no longer need.
The answer to the other questions is YES.
I finally received the battery and charger and hopefully all this stuff I need now to put this together. First question, on the wood dowels did you glue or tape them to the battery holder? And on the wires that connect to the lead acid battery did you just removed them to charge the battery and put them back on when you need to use?
Et cetera!!! 
Thanks for such a wonderful posting, I have many Vivitar 283 & 285 flashes. I would really like to try and convert my flashes with these type of batteries but I am not mechanically inclined.
Want to clarify you cut the wood dowels the same length as a AA battery (not including the nipple) 1 7/8″ and drill a 1/8″ hole down the middle of both. You drill two holes into the Vivitar battery hold, but where I’m a little unclear is after you run the wires through the battery holder do you then wrap the wire around the screws and then insert them into the wood dowels? How do you keep the wires in place?
In seeking out the battery will this size suffice 6V 4.5Ah SLA (sealed lead acid) battery or is there anything else I need to be aware of?
Thank’s
Wow, been a long time since anyone commented or asked a question but glad you did.
You should strip the wire enough so that when the screws are put in place the ends will wrap around the head. Don’t make the screws too thick.
As for the battery, no more than 6V.
Hope this help have fun.
Thank you for your fast response to my questions? Since you are removing the contacts from the battery holder if I had a battery holders that did not work can I use it? Are you drilling the holes through the battery holder and then running the wire through the wood dowels and wrapping them around the screw head and then screwing the screw into the wood dowels? What type of wire are you using? I came across these batteries on eBay what do you think of them?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UB645-PS640-6V-4-5Ah-Sealed-Lead-Acid-SLA-Alarm-Battery-PACK-OF-3-BATTERIES/190725786375?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D1241377197051777104%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D350857638784%26
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PACK-6VOLT-4-5AMP-HOUR-RECHARGEABLE-SEALED-6V-4-5AH-SLA-BATTERY-110AC-CHARGER-/170782327714?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item27c36b83a2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Sonic-2-Pack-UB645-PS640-6V-4-5Ah-Sealed-Lead-Acid-SLA-Alarm-Battery-/181020837156?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item2a25aec524
http://www.chromebattery.com/12v-1ah-sealed-lead-acid-charger.html?CA_6C15C=520006360000000231
Thank you for all your help.
The battery is exactly the one you need.
Wire type is of the strand type and I think 8 gauge – found appliances like stoves and washing machines.
Yes, absolutely use a holder you no longer need.
The answer to the other questions is YES.
I finally received the battery and charger and hopefully all this stuff I need now to put this together. First question, on the wood dowels did you glue or tape them to the battery holder? And on the wires that connect to the lead acid battery did you just removed them to charge the battery and put them back on when you need to use?
1. There’s no need to glue the dowels.
2. Yes, removed them for charging and reattached them later.
Good luck with the project.