Flash tube - lifespan?

[Livin The Dream]

Wondered whether there's an average life expectancy for a flash tube? I bought an additional head couple of weeks back and used in anger for the first time yesterday, looks like the tube has gone (modelling light still ok so fuse still works). Appreciate they're a consumable, but the first outing?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Typically around 100,000 flashes.
A reliable indication that a tube is nearing the end of its life is when it becomes unreliable at the very lowest power settings (because the input voltage is much lower than at high power settings).

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•

There are basically two types of failures observable:
the explosive and the gradual failures. The first one
you would have heard so remains the second.

Technically, flash tubes maybe a bit dangerous when
used at full power constantly. Pro units are built target-
ing a given quality and then severely underrated.

For ex:
a pro unit intended to be used at say 1000w/ is made
to withstand at least 250 % that figure. Such unit, in
these conditions, is capable of producing over 5 million
flashes at constant / reliable power and colour outputs.

Of course, all flash tubes are not created equal and, de-
pending on the quality he wants to bring on the market, a
producer may opt for top or lower quality tubes construc-
tions rated at different outputs ratings as well. This explains
in part the retail price differences between different makes
of the same power.

The main criteria being constant / reliable power and colour
outputs. If you unit fails you, don't hesitate to replace it…

 

[Livin The Dream]

I shall have a look at the unit tonight and swap a tube with a working version. It's an elinchrom D Lite.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

elinchrom D Lite

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These, Chris, are quite reasonable units quality wise.
Finding spare or replacement parts for this product
won't be a problem.

 

[Livin The Dream]

Just swapped the flash tubes and seems to be the head that's faulty. Will exchange as under warranty.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Will exchange as under warranty.

•


That's great service from the maker!

With everything in SMD technologies today,
they replace instead of repairing, as it is more
economical but it generates more trash.

 

[Livin The Dream]

Jumped the gun there, will speak to the supplier to see whether repair or replace.

 

[simonbarker]

I've been told they should last about 7 minutes.

Even though you've found it's the head the Elinchrom tubes aren't too bad generally, the ones they use in D-lites are a little on the thin side (they're the only flash tube I've ever had break and that was despite me being careful). The heads will probably crap out before the flash tube under normal conditions.