SP Systems 3200 question - problem?

I just bought a pair of SP-Systems Excalibur 3200 strobes on eBay. They're in very good condition. I didn't get the manual so I have a question for anyone that has these or knows about them:

When I slide the light level adjustment the strobe fires tests at 3 or 4 positions. It only happens when going from low to high and it does the same thing on both strobes. Is that normal behavior or is there something wrong with them? Everything else seems to be functioning as I expect.

I am not quite following what is happening. If I am confused possibly others are also. But then, possibly only I am confused.

Are you indicating the flash fires by itself when you move the power level from low to high?

Enjoy! Lon

Yes, that's it exactly. Actually I had it backwards in that it happens when I move from high to low. I have the modeling light, slave, and sound off and when I slide the power from high to low the flash fires a few times as I slide it all the way down. It also fires by itself when I turn it off.

Although I have no experience with the flash units you cite, this happening when you go from high to low now adds up.

It is very likely that these units when fired, empty all the charge from the storage capacitors.

So, when you move from high to low, the flash needs to drain some (or possibly all) of the charge in the capacitors so the correctly measured amount will be delivered with the exposure flash.

And, as you may have guessed, what is a convenient way to rid yourself of the extra energy? Fire the flash.

So this is my guess and I think the units are working as designed.

If this only happens when you are changing power it does not seem as any sort of big deal.

Firing when the unit is turned off is relatively common for studio flash gear, not all of them do this, but many do. They are just emptying the charge stored in the capacitors in a convenient manner, firing the flash.

Enjoy! Lon

Thanks for the great explanation. I feel better. They seem to be fine in every other way.

'Preciate the help.