 Marius Liebenberg |
Studio strobes turn on but dont fire.. I recently obtained two strobes, one is a Multiblitz Kompakt-Studio vario 350 and the other an Elinchrom 11. Both turn on but dont fire when I push the trigger/test button. Even arter turned off and unplugged the power light stays illuminated for a while so it is holding charge. All fuses are OK. I am new to studio strobes, any one knows what I should check for, how do I check/test the flash tube?
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Debby A. Tabb |
Marius, Can you remove the flash tube on these light? If so Please remove it, and blow out the contacts an wipe the prongs with a cotten cloth and then restore them to thier position and try again. The fact that they are not firing with the test button leaves just the light unit itself to be examined. Also, are they on a surge protector? for both,two ifferent units to go out at the same way/same symtems is unusual. they may have gotten a power surge that affected the flash tubes. Are the modleing bulbs responing? **I try to CAUTION photographers here,that there are kits made with irreplacable bulbs.
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Debby A. Tabb |
Ok, if you mean Elinchrom 1100 the flash tube is replaceable see B&H @ $330.00: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16792-REG/Elinchrom_EL_24053_3000w_s_Flashtube.html Please double check the model number. all the info I have found on The Multiblitz Kompakt-Studio vario 350 Marius, I teach, when you are researching lighting, favorites will be as veried among photographers as Cameras. *deside which kits intrest you,maybe 3. After this you will be more prepare to make the right choice for you. I hope this will help,
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings Marius. I think Deb is on the right track here and certainly that's the easiest thing to check is the contacts and the sockets but I think there may be a couple of things missing from your initial question. Her advice on buying new lights is good too. But there are a couple of other things to look at with your lights. First, it's kind of unlikely that two separate packs or two heads plugged into two different packs wouldn't fire. That usually means a problem witht he pack itself or one electrical side of the pack. So I'd check your line voltage coming out of the wall with a circuit tester (carefully) to ensure your power source is producing enough voltage. Second, you should have a competent tech test the trigger voltage and the trigger circuit to make sure it's working properly in either one or both packs. Trigger circuits are pretty straightforward and easy for a tech to fix if they can find parts or cross reference parts. The fact it stays lit may mean it's charging but with an electrical contact open, won't fire (a bad trigger switch). Easy to fix with the right part or maybe even just a broken connection inside the pack itself. Easy to find, easy for a tech to fix. Also, use a VOM/VTM meter to check continuity on the cord from your lamphead to your pack or power source or have a tech do it. Make sure your haven't plugged a PC cord into the trigger circuit that has a low resistance short in its wiring. That could cause a trigger circuit failure although not enough to blow a fuse or pop the pack circuit breaker. If you need bulbs or tubes, here's a place I use a lot and offers lower prices than B&H on things like tubes and modeling lamps for some of the lights I use. It's called Bulbman. http://www.bulbman.com/index.php?main_page=top_nav&page=2 Remember though, it's best to avoid trying to test these things out yourself if you don't know what you're doing. If you get on the wrong side of a capacitor and take a high voltage whack it could kill you. And if your pack is charging and won't discharge, you need to be doubly careful. I suggest taking it to a pro who knows how to test these things safely.
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