Westcott Strobe Lights are firing intermittently
Dec 3, 2011 11:00:07 #
My strobe lights used to work with no issue whatsoever. In my last two sessions, there are times in the middle and the end of the sessions when they don't fire at all despite being one minute plus between shots.
When the problem occurs, I have tried turning off all the equipment and waiting a minute and turning it back on. I have also tried turning off the power strip and waiting and turning it back on. I have also removed the sync cord from the camera and strobe and plugging it back in to ensure it's not loose.
When the strobes don't fire with the camera, I press the 'test' button and they fire with no problem.
I use the same settings all the time - ISO 400, f5.6, and 250 shutter speed. I have had the strobes about 18 months and just use them about once a week.
The problem seems more prominent at the end of a session, which is usually about an hour. I will be shooting the same subject in the same position when they just stop.
Can the lights get 'exhausted' after an hour? Could there be a problem with the sync cord which makes it work sometimes and not others?
Any ideas I can try to trouble-shoot this issue so they will fire each and every time?
When the problem occurs, I have tried turning off all the equipment and waiting a minute and turning it back on. I have also tried turning off the power strip and waiting and turning it back on. I have also removed the sync cord from the camera and strobe and plugging it back in to ensure it's not loose.
When the strobes don't fire with the camera, I press the 'test' button and they fire with no problem.
I use the same settings all the time - ISO 400, f5.6, and 250 shutter speed. I have had the strobes about 18 months and just use them about once a week.
The problem seems more prominent at the end of a session, which is usually about an hour. I will be shooting the same subject in the same position when they just stop.
Can the lights get 'exhausted' after an hour? Could there be a problem with the sync cord which makes it work sometimes and not others?
Any ideas I can try to trouble-shoot this issue so they will fire each and every time?
Dec 5, 2011 15:04:47 #
Douglas Downey
Loc: Rye, NH
Have someone check the electrical continuity of your sync cord. Anyone with an ohmmeter should be able to help. D
Dec 5, 2011 16:09:39 #
Dec 5, 2011 16:28:02 #
Change the sync cord all the way from the camera to the strobe itself.
I would double check that the flash tube was properly seated in all three contact points. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR DOING THIS! I'm not familiar with this particular unit but there is a specific procedure for changing the flash tube I'm sure.
The fact that you can normally trigger the unit with the button directly on the unit lessens the likely hood of a problem in the head itself.
You didn't mention which camera you are using, is there a hot shoe adapter in the mix? Maybe clean the contacts there as well.
There is a slight---very slight chance that the trigger circuit is actually laying down (getting tired) when it gets hot. If all else fails call the supplier and describe the symptoms for likely a much more informed and specific diagnosis than we can give here.
I would double check that the flash tube was properly seated in all three contact points. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR DOING THIS! I'm not familiar with this particular unit but there is a specific procedure for changing the flash tube I'm sure.
The fact that you can normally trigger the unit with the button directly on the unit lessens the likely hood of a problem in the head itself.
You didn't mention which camera you are using, is there a hot shoe adapter in the mix? Maybe clean the contacts there as well.
There is a slight---very slight chance that the trigger circuit is actually laying down (getting tired) when it gets hot. If all else fails call the supplier and describe the symptoms for likely a much more informed and specific diagnosis than we can give here.
Dec 10, 2011 22:56:15 #
Great suggestions, everyone! I really appreciate your insights and will start with the sync cord.
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