Flash head repair

[Phil V]

I've just ordered a replacement flash tube for an old (but brand new) cheap studio flash head. The flash hasn't been powered up for a couple of years, will it be safe to dismantle or will I have to discharge the capacitor safely? If I do have to discharge it are there any instructions online.

I'm totally new to repairing flashes although I am quite useful in the DIY stakes (including electrickery).

 

[flashted]

if the flash head has not been used for some years it will be dead and no volts will be on the capacitor, more of a problem is if the unit has not been used for years it may not charge up well and give problems. how many years has it been unused, what make / model is it. try to charge it up slowly or in short bursts , 1 second burts over several hours to give the capacitors a chance. the link you put up is for led lights, no flash tubes in there. david

 

[Phil V]

if the flash head has not been used for some years it will be dead and no volts will be on the capacitor, more of a problem is if the unit has not been used for years it may not charge up well and give problems. how many years has it been unused, what make / model is it. try to charge it up slowly or in short bursts , 1 second burts over several hours to give the capacitors a chance. the link you put up is for led lights, no flash tubes in there. david

I didn't put a link up, that's one of the forum's 'quirks'.
Thanks for the heads up on the charging of the capacitors. It's a cheap ebay flash about 5 years old. Used once and dropped it. The seller sent me a free replacement because they had no replacement flash tubes. But I've just found a replacement tube so I figure it's worth a pop as I'm doing a bit more 'lit' stuff and a 3rd head will come in handy.