Elinchrom D-Lite 4 Up in Smoke

[MarkDaSpark]

Literally.

One of the strobes in the kit shut intermittently with three beeps and an E.1 displayed on the LCD. I turned it off for a few minutes and turned it on again and when the modeling light came on the strobe also flashed, which I thought was weird.

After a few minutes I heard a sizzling and looked up and saw a puff of smoke come up and from the strobe as the light shut off. I disconnected the power, took off the softbox, and took the strobe down, and a yellow-brown liquid started leaking through the bottom of the unit.

I just bought the kit the day before, so I hope that this sort of incident is covered under the return policy.

Does anyone have any clue as to what possibly happened? Or possibly what these error codes mean? The other strobe also gives me an E.2 error, but that one works after I turn it off and back on after a little while.

[2112]

Wow. I would hope your warranty covers that. Not good at all.

Are these fan cooled models?

[MarkDaSpark]

Nope. These aren't the fan cooled models.

Hmmm. Now I'm starting to worry if the camera shop will take these back or not. I sure hope so.

[Hermes]

It's a blown capacitor. The liquid is the electrolyte/fluid used in the capacitor to store charge.

It could be due to overheating, especially if you were firing the lights rapidly or using the modelling light on full power with an enclosed modifier before it happened. It could just be bad luck, capacitors do eventually wear out but rather like camera shutters there's no way to be certain when it will happen. If you're in warranty then insist on having the whole head replaced and not just the broken capacitor.

[2112]

Nope. These aren't the fan cooled models.

Hmmm. Now I'm starting to worry if the camera shop will take these back or not. I sure hope so.

Are they new? I was told they only sold fan cooled models now...I had one friend have parts of his melt and another of his friends had his just explode basically. The ones without fans are not good from what I have heard. See if you can get your money back.

[MarkDaSpark]

Yeah they're new. I bought them new at Samy's in LA two days ago. The box looked sealed to me at least. No way for me to tell if they were previously returned or exactly how long they were sitting back there for. Samy's only exchanges for store credit AFAIK, but I don't really want my money back, just exchange for new lights that don't have any problems.

Hopefully they don't try to call this physical damage and/or abuse and refuse to exchange it.

[cdifoto]

They'll accept the return. It'd be illegal for them not to. If they were sold to you as new, it doesn't matter whether they're new or not as far as returns and warranty goes. If they were used and/or open box, they would have been priced and labeled as such.

[hawk911]

I'd insist on a full replacement. 2 days should not be considered abuse unless you shot like 5 thousand shots consecutively.

[shooterman]

I'd insist on a full replacement. 2 days should not be considered abuse unless you shot like 5 thousand shots consecutively.LOL, yeah that would be a bit excessive, LOL.

Just take them back and tell them to give you a new set. They shouldn't even question it.

[silvex]

It's a blown capacitor. The liquid is the electrolyte/fluid used in the capacitor to store charge.

It could be due to overheating, especially if you were firing the lights rapidly or using the modelling light on full power with an enclosed modifier before it happened. It could just be bad luck, capacitors do eventually wear out but rather like camera shutters there's no way to be certain when it will happen. If you're in warranty then insist on having the whole head replaced and not just the broken capacitor.

It would be very difficult to fire them rapidly (like the speedlites). They need to charge before the are ready to do so. That takes about 1/2 second. Studio strobes are made for that kind of shooting.

It is just a defective part and like you said. Parts do fail. I just bought two new tires Z rated for Isabel's SLK benz...one of them is flat...:( took back and it got replaced. Then again it happens to "old" gear. My mesa boogie Mark IV was not playing right. I took it to have it repair (it never failed in 10 years). A transistor leaked...the mesa boogie guy said. He has never seem them do that...etc etc etc.

So call them and ask them to fix/replace it.

[Rudi]

2 days old is covered by warranty. S**t happens! That's why we have warranties in the first place. :) Get it replaced and stop worrying...

[TMR Design]

You can drive a brand new Mercedes off the lot and have a problem. Stuff happens and can happen to anything manufactured. That's why there are warranties and they are honored.

[m3rdpwr]

My buddy bought a brand new car and drove it off the lot.

He got a few blocks up and the transmision dropped.

Not litteraly, it just seemed to be in neutral no matter what gear you were in.

New transmission time...

-Mario

[m3rdpwr]

Oh, and I just picked up a new 26" LCD monitor tonight.

There is a damn spec of dirt between the LCD and the front glass.

It's #$%^&* me off!!!

This was there last one too.

I guess I'll have to return in and wait until they get more in stock...

-Me :(

[TMR Design]

That sucks Mario but it does show that stuff happens. Doesn't matter what brand, what model or price paid. Stuff happens.

[m3rdpwr]

That sucks Mario but it does show that stuff happens. Doesn't matter what brand, what model or price paid. Stuff happens.

Yeah, but there's nothing wrong with the monitor itself.

Maybe if I slap the screen around, the spec will drop.

It's the new computer monitor Vizio came out with.

2 x HDMI, VGA DVI USB Hub.

Tilt swivel height, everything.

Should have bought it last week when they had a dozen in stock.

Nice monitor for the price though!

-Mario

[TMR Design]

Yeah, but there's nothing wrong with the monitor itself.

Maybe if I slap the screen around, the spec will drop.

It's the new computer monitor Vizio came out with.

2 x HDMI, VGA DVI USB Hub.

Tilt swivel height, everything.

Should have bought it last week when they had a dozen in stock.

Nice monitor for the price though!

-Mario

Well for someone that is admittedly anal, I can't see how yo would ever live with it. Either return it or work it out so you keep this one until another one arrives and then swap it out.

[MarkDaSpark]

Well, I was able to take it to Samy's and exchanged them with no trouble. I decided to swap them out with the 400BXs instead, and they work great so far.

Time to start shooting and enjoying experimenting:cool:

[TMR Design]

Well, I was able to take it to Samy's and exchanged them with no trouble. I decided to swap them out with the 400BXs instead, and they work great so far.

Time to start shooting and enjoying experimenting:cool:

I think you'll really enjoy the 400BX. Great performers, great build. A nice step up from the D-Lite's. Glad you were able to make the upgrade.

[Rudi]

Yep, what Robert said. A worthy upgrade! :)

[Gentleman Villain]

Well, I was able to take it to Samy's and exchanged them with no trouble. I decided to swap them out with the 400BXs instead, and they work great so far.

Time to start shooting and enjoying experimenting:cool:

nice!

D-lites are "entry level" but 400bx is professional IMHO... That was a good trade

[RiSK]

Sorry, but I chuckled when I read your post, then saw your username. :)

Seems appropriate.