Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I have the AlienBee 400 and it turns on, will fire when I hit the test button but will not fire from the receiver test or transmitter on my camera. The model light also works fine. I have tried different outlets, channels, etc. Suggestions?

The best thing to do is start at the light and work back to the camera. follow these tests in order . Let me know the first step where the light fails to fire. Once the flash fails to fire in these steps, continuing with the test is rather moot and unnecessary. Even still, there is a possibility of not being able to determine if a problem lies in the transmitter or receiver if only one of each are present, but I'll do my best.

1- connect the flash to the ac wall outlet for power. If you have a receiver that requires aC power, connect it as well to the power cord, and insure the LED is blinking green. If you have battery powered receiver, press the test button, and the LED should blink green.

2. Turn on the flash unit, and press the red test button on the flash to ensure it does fire. Leave the flash on for the duration of the tests.

3. There is a short sync cord that has a headphone style plug on each end. Plug one end into the flash unit's SYNC jack. The flash should fire.

4. Plug the other end into the jack on the left hand edge of the receiver. The flash should fire.

5. Press the test button on the receiver. The flash should fire.

6. Look at the FREQUENCY dial on the receiver. There will be a notch cut into the dial, with one end more deeply cut, and appears darker. This will be your frequency indicator. Odd frequencies are listed, even frequencies are unmarked and lie between the odd frequencies. Note the frequency selection.

7. Ensure the dial on the transmitter matches that of the receiver.

8. Press the test button of the transmitter. Two things should happen. The transmtter's LED should blink red once and the flash should fire. If the flash fires continue. If not, note what the LED on the transmitter does when trying the test button.

9. Mount the transmitter onto your camera. Make sure the camera is not in Live View, and is set to M mode. press the shutter release button and the LED should blink, and the flash should fire. Again, if the flash fails to fire, note what the LED on the transmitter does. Also, what kind of camera you are using.

I'm having the same issue with my 400!! But the led lights on the transmitter do not flash. When I hit the red test button NOTHING happens.

I was able to get it fixed there was an issue with the cords but it's all worked out.

Have you tried a new battery in the transmitter? Be sure when you install the battery, the "+" side goes down into the tray.