The White Lightning Ultra Series Flashtube
Flashtube Information and Replacement
Instructions
There
are two styles of flashtubes available for the White Lightning Ultra Series
Flash Units: the UFT2 old-style, straight wire tube for Ultra units purchased before
January 1991, and the UFT2-B new-style, banana plug tube for Ultra units
purchased after January 1991 (available in both daylight and UV coated
temperatures). When replacing either
flashtube, it is very important to note that the flash unit may have
potentially dangerous voltages present (as much as 300 volts DC) at the
flashtube terminals, even after the unit is unplugged and turned off. This is particularly true when one of the
flashtubes is inoperative. To allow
these voltages to be discharged to a safe level by the unit’s internal
circuitry, be sure to switch the unit off and unplug it, then wait at least 15
minutes before changing the tube. For
additional protection, you can wear gloves or use a piece of cloth when
handling the tube. This will protect
your hands, and keep your finger oils from damaging the tubes. **For information on upgrading your Ultra
Series Unit to the newer 3C Head with the new-style plugs, call our Sales
department at 1-800-443-5542. The new
head makes replacement easier, and provides a better connection between the
flashtube and the light. We can upgrade
your unit for a very low cost.
1.
First, remove the old tube by pulling it straight out from the front of the
unit. Inspect your replacement tube for
any cracked or bent lead legs, and straighten them if necessary with either
your fingers or pliers.
2.
Align the three legs with the corresponding holes on the front of your unit,
and press it gently and evenly into place until it is seated tightly. Pay close attention to the lead in the middle
of the tube, the one attached with a metal band. Watch to see that as you plug the tube in,
the metal band is not being pushed up by the lead, to rotate around the tube.
3.
Check that the tube is aligned correctly and test your tube by testing the
recycle time using the method below.
Replacing your UFT2/UFT2UV
Old-Style Straight Wire Flashtube
1.
First, remove the old tube by pulling it straight out from the front of the
unit. Inspect your replacement tube for
any cracked or bent lead legs, and straighten them if necessary with either
your fingers or pliers.
2.
Align the three legs with the corresponding holes on the front of your unit,
and press it gently and evenly into place until it is seated tightly. Pay close attention to the lead in the middle
of the tube, the one attached with a metal band. Watch to see that as you plug the tube in,
the metal band is not being pushed up by the lead, to rotate around the tube.
3.
Check that the tube is aligned correctly and test your tube by testing the
recycle time using the method below.
The Recycle Testing
Method:
To
ensure that both of your tubes are properly working, you can test the recycle
time either by counting, or using a stopwatch.
If one of your tubes is not working, the recycle time will be decreased
by half, with a resulting loss of 50% of the flashpower, and an off-center
flash pattern. To test the recycle, fire
your unit at full power (at normal 120VAC 60Hz line power) and start timing
from the point the flash is fired until the Ready Green light comes on. The Ultra 1800 will recycle in 3.2 seconds,
the Ultra 1200 will recycle in 2.1 seconds, and the Ultra 600 will recycle in 1
second. If your unit recycles in half
the amount of time that it should, only one tube is firing.