Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello Bee friends! :)

I bought a used X1600 and the modeling light isn't working. When it arrived, the bulb was damaged, and it still didn't turn on after replacing it with a known good bulb from another X1600. Is there a fuse inside the unit? I've disassembled a B400 before, are they similar? I'm aware of the dangers of high voltage, and the energy potentially stored inside the caps.

First thing to check is the contact in the lower protion of the lamp socket. There is a metal tab that can be pushed down (not all bases are the same length). Pull up on this and try again with the good bulb. Also make sure the model lamp button is engaged. If this still does not work, then the light will need to come in.

Thank you for the response.

The tab is good. I lift it up, install the bulb, remove the bulb, and the tab is lower. I'm fairly certain it's making good contact.

Is the socket supposed to see 120vac all the time? My meter reads 120vac regardless of the switch or slider position, but the bulb no worky. I assume the voltage drops to nothing as soon as there is a load, any ideas?

Yes, it does sound like the tab is contacting. No, the voltage should vary as the slider is moved. That would have to come in for service.