BIG PROBLEM WITH INON Z-240

Hi,

I've just been experiencing some odd problems with one of my fairly new Inon Z-240s which will not flash, regardless of the setting and was wondering if someone out there could help. It will power up and the capacitor can be heard as that happens. The ready light and modelling light functions normally. When the shutter is tripped, the modelling light does its thing and turns off -- so as not to be registered on film.

It is not an issue of the sync cord nor which bulkhead it is attached to. I checked all weak spots with other strobes but everything seems ok. I cannot imagine what the problem actually is -- and i need the thing operable as soon as possible . . .

Thanks . . .

Try taping off the top right hand pin in your camera hotshoe. I had the same problem with an inon strobe and that solved it...

Try taping off the top right hand pin in your camera hotshoe. I had the same problem with an inon strobe and that solved it...

Thanks, I'll give that one a try -- although I don't know why that would not ne affecting the second Inon strobe, which seems to be fine . . .

Thanks again . . .

Try taping off the top right hand pin in your camera hotshoe. I had the same problem with an inon strobe and that solved it...

What exactly do you do when taping the top right hand pin?

/christian

What exactly do you do when taping the top right hand pin?

 

/christian

Actually, I don't know either. Are we talking about the pins on the housing's electrical connection -- three pin (twp pins and the ground) or on the camera hotshoe itself?

Regardless, I think it's a still-under-warranty fault with the strobe itself and it will go to Inon on Monday. The other Z-240 works like a dream. Hopefully it doesn't have to find its way to Japan . . .

For reference, it's the "Confidence" pin. If one lacks confidence, one should mask it off.

See here:

Seacam Hotshoe Pins

and here:

Ike's Sync Wiring

(edit: oh, yeah, bottom of page)

As for whether this problem is related, I have no idea. Just adding info.

Martyn

Hi Martyn,

Thanks for the info and the links. My Subal and Aquatica hotshoe is already arranged for manual shooting much like the diagrams. The fault unfortunately lies with the strobe.

Thanks for the reply . . .

For reference, it's the "Confidence" pin. If one lacks confidence, one should mask it off.

 

See here:

Seacam Hotshoe Pins

and here:

Ike's Sync Wiring

(edit: oh, yeah, bottom of page)

 

As for whether this problem is related, I have no idea. Just adding info.

 

Martyn

Have you tried to switch around on the strobes? if so was it the same strobe that didn't fire? -> strobe trouble

Same cable? -> connection trouble.

Did you changed the strobe settings before or after you turned it on?

Just some thoughts.

Haven't had the oppertunity to take mine in the ocean yet, due to the flu

Hi Ingvald,

Thanks for the advice. I have tried everything - swapped sync cords, bulkheads, each strobe on their own on every conceivable setting -- but the suspect one always failed to fire. The fact that its modeling light worked as it should further confused things. Everytime the shutter was tripped, it would turn off as not to affect the shot.

Inon has already contacted me about shipping it back. I do have Sea and Seas I could use in a pinch -- but there is something about the versatility of Inon strobes which cannot be matched. Also, they are always carry-on along with my primary housing . . .

Cheers, get over the flu, and get wet . . .

Have you tried to switch around on the strobes? if so was it the same strobe that didn't fire? -> strobe trouble

Same cable? -> connection trouble.

 

Did you changed the strobe settings before or after you turned it on?

 

Just some thoughts.

 

Haven't had the oppertunity to take mine in the ocean yet, due to the flu

Loligo,

Didn't see this before, I could have saved you the hassle trying to figure it out as something just like this happened with my fairly new (35 dives) D2000 in '05, even the focus light confusion also.

It turned out the strobe was defective and they replaced it, but Inon really took their time replacing it (they didn't believe me that it was defective obviously and spent a lot of time checking it out first. I think by the time I got back to the states, sent it to Inon and got word back from them that it would be replaced was well over 4 to 5 weeks - and I had to initiate the call to find out what was happening.).

Fortunately when the strobe first failed Ryan Canon took pity on me, strobe-less in Bali and sent a loaner off to me via courier! :-)

That saved the day!

Inon strobes are reliable but there are some defective ones.

At least your Sea and Seas are lighter u/w! That has been a big concern of mine lately, getting my heavy rig neutral and caused me to trade in the Inons. But that is just me and the rig I'm trying to make much less negative. Too bad the 240s are neg as I know they are quite good strobes.

Best, Carol

Hello Carol,

Thanks for your account of your own Inon experience. As a matter of fact, Inon America got in contact with me yesterday and offered me a demo while mine makes a trip to The Land of the Rising Sun to have its guttiwuts replaced. It turns out that there was a batch of suspect strobes sold around September of 2006 with problem circuitry -- what the folks said was a result of "growing pains" from quickly ramping up production in Japan and concurrent minor problem with quality control. They were quite candid and I have to hand it to them for that. There are a few manufacturers who could learn a little something from them.

You are definitely correct about the weight issues with the whole rig. The only person in the water with more weight attached to them are mob informants -- Coney Island White Fish . . .

David

Loligo,

 

Didn't see this before, I could have saved you the hassle trying to figure it out as something just like this happened with my fairly new (35 dives) D2000 in '05, even the focus light confusion also.

 

It turned out the strobe was defective and they replaced it, but Inon really took their time replacing it (they didn't believe me that it was defective obviously and spent a lot of time checking it out first. I think by the time I got back to the states, sent it to Inon and got word back from them that it would be replaced was well over 4 to 5 weeks - and I had to initiate the call to find out what was happening.).

 

Fortunately when the strobe first failed Ryan Canon took pity on me, strobe-less in Bali and sent a loaner off to me via courier! :-)

 

That saved the day!

 

Inon strobes are reliable but there are some defective ones.

 

At least your Sea and Seas are lighter u/w! That has been a big concern of mine lately, getting my heavy rig neutral and caused me to trade in the Inons. But that is just me and the rig I'm trying to make much less negative. Too bad the 240s are neg as I know they are quite good strobes.

 

Best, Carol