Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

At first it was firing randomly here and there but then would BEEP when I tried to trigger it but it wouldn't fire. Now it's not firing at all accompanied by a BEEP every few clicks, test button also not firing it. Flash tube dead? What's the deal?

Started happening on a shoot last weekend, thought it might have been an issue with the VII but plugged it in and it's doing the same thing :(

Do you get a green ready light, or red dump light? If there is a red dump light, then there is an internal issue, and the unit will need service.

Flash tubes will work or they wont, there really isnt any intermittency with them. The only exception is perhaps a break in the trigger leg (the 3rd leg that is opposite the two close ones). A less-than-graceful removal of a softbox can damage the leg. Pull the tube and inspect it. Look for breaks on the leg contacts as well as any burning or charring on the contacts. A slight burn-like look inside the tube near the legs is normal. If the legs are broken, then a new tube will fix that issue. if there is charring, the unit needs to be sent in as there will be charring on the contacts inside the light. This is caused by a loose connection and the energy has arced to the tube. The charring lessens the contact, so a new tube will be arced as well, and die prematurely, all the while making the problem worse.

If there is no charring, and if you have another light with the same tube, try swapping tubes to see if the problem goes away. (any X-series, UZ series, ZAP, or AB series light can be used. However, if you have older AB's that have a 10mm flash tube, use it only for testing, and test at a lower power, i.e. 1/4 power or lower, then remove it from the X3200. Any 12 or 14mm can be used permanently).

If the light still does not flash with a known good tube, and you have a green ready light, then the trigger coil is probably bad, and the light would also have to be serviced for that as well.