Sunday, May 17, 2009

DIY Nikon SB-600 speedlight Flash Tube replacement

In a previous post I mentioned that one of my kids knocked over a light stand with an sb-600 attached. Well, I ordered the $8.52 USD flash tube from Nikon for the sb-600 speedlight, and did it myself last night. Works fine.


Things you need:
- 1 Nikon SB-600 Speedlight with a broken flash tube.
- Small philips screw driver (the small screwdriver set at the dollar store is fine).
- Soldering iron and solder (a solder sucker came in handy - borrowed it from a friend - thanks Matt).
- Replacement bulb (obviously): Part number: XE701 BTW (not required when phoning Nikon).

Optional:
- A way to drain the power from the capacitor/thingy that stores the energy to allow for a high powered flash.
- Small flat head screwdriver.

Prep: I didn't actively drain the power from the flash before I began working. After my flash broke, I could see that the tube was snapped in half. I removed the batteries. It sat without batteries for about three weeks. When I touched inside wires, I felt some power still in the flash, but never got zapped (though I have been zapped before while working on flashes).



Step 1. Place the flash bottom up and remove the two long screws at the end of the flash head.

Step 2. Pry off the rubber "Push" button on the hinge that allows for the head to be manipulated. There is also a spring underneath. I used a small flathead screw driver, but anything would have worked. It came off easily. Then unscrew the four screws underneath.

Step 3. Remove the cover on the opposite side of the hinge. Underneath the rubber cover is a very thin black adhesive film. Remove the film to expose the screws. Don't worry about tearing the film. Remove the four screws.

The bottom of the flash head should then easily be removed exposing the internal electronics. Notice the four small copper prongs that protrude from the bottom of the flash tube assembly. These prongs rub along the circuit board, and control the head's zoom. Try not to bend them, and definitely don't break them off. Make sure to check that they contact the board before reassembling.



Step 4. (optional). Drain the power so you won't get shocked. Here are some ways you may want to do it:
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/11/important-warning-camera-flash.html



Step 5. Four screws hold the zoom motor to the flash head. It is best to remove these screws to allow easier access to the solder points. However, eight screws are visible(ish), and only four need to be removed. Remove the two black ones on the far side opposite the pcb/circuit board. The other two screws to be removed run along the metal post on which the flash bulb assembly slides. The bulb assembly may actually obscure the one of the screws. The bulb assembly can gently be slid out of the way. The silver screws hold a pcb board to the flash head and don't need to be removed. The other row of screws (in between the two rows we are removing) can also stay in place.

Once the screws are removed, the only thing holding the bulb unit to the flash body are wires. Remove the wires from the clip to get more working distance between the board and the flash tube assembly.

Step 6. Remove the solder from the flash tube. The flash tube is solder at three points. One on each end, and a white wire that is also attached to the bulb. If you have a replacement bulb, it should be obvious the points that you need to desolder. Note: there is a second white wire that will also become desoldered; it joins the white wire from the bulb, at the same solder point.

Step 7. A transparent "rubber band" holds the bulb in the flash tube assembly and will need to be removed. I recommend removing the side with the white wire first, because on that side there is a slit in the rubber band to facilitate removal. Take note of which way the ends of the rubber band are facing in order to replace it the same way.


Step 8. Remove the tube. Kind of a pain, but it comes out.

Step 9. Slide the new bulb in and resolder. This is the simplest step, but this took me the longest. I preferred to solder the end without the white wire first. My rationale was that because there is a slit in the other side (the side with the white wire) of the rubber band, it will go on easier. Who knows? Also, my solder skills are lacking, so if I can do it, so can you.

Step 10. Put it back together.
A couple of things to remember: make sure that the copper prongs mentioned in step 3 are contacting the circuit board, you may want to check them out before replacing the screws that hold the flash tube assembly to the flash head. Also, make sure that the wires connecting the tube assembly to the flash are tucked way back. I put my flash back together, and it worked fine, accept for the 85mm zoom. The tube assembly was bumping the wires, and couldn't zoom all the way back. I had to reopen, and tuck the wires out of the way.

While I didn't try to break any components, I wasn't particularly gentile. The flash head seemed pretty durable, and moderately simple. If you can grow a third hand before beginning this project, it would be helpful.

Happy soldering!

66 comments:

  1. I am amazed! Once again you have "MacGyver-ed" a perfect solution to a problem most of us would not have attempted to solve! Good job! :-)

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  2. And if you don't have a 3rd hand just use your wife:)

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  3. The wife's hand may also come in handy on checking wether or not the capacitor has discharged fully.

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  4. Nice Job.. !
    But where did you get the replacement bulb ?
    Thanks for sharing
    G.

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  5. Nikon has a parts/repair facility in El Segundo, California. I phoned them up, and was able to speak to a real person. They sent me the part for around $8 + shipping which was just a couple dollars.

    Here is the number I called:
    310-414-8107

    This information can also be found here:
    http://www.nikonusa.com/fileuploads/westernservice/moving.html
    and
    http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page

    They said the part was back orderd, but I still got it in about two weeks.

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  6. Can I put the rubber push thing back in if I take it off?

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  7. Yes you can. It is only held down by adhesive/glue. However, after removing it you may want to find some extra glue/sticky substance to help keep it on. But I kept mine clean, and it didn't have a problem staying on.

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  8. Excellent tutorial. A friend has just knackered his SB600 so i will point him here!

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  9. i tred doing this and ended up not only giving myself a shock, but cut up my hands on the bulb, poked myself in the eye with the screwdriver (3 times), gave myself 3rd degree burns on 45 % of my face with a soldering accident, then I broke 12 bones in my hand punching the wall in a rage over the incident. IN end the I just went outside, kicked my dog a few times and a had a beer.

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  10. I have an SB80-DX. Anyone have instructions for that model? Once I got inside, the setup is a bit different. Any advise? Just ordered a tube.
    Thanks!

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  11. Just ordered a tube for an SB80-DX myself, seems fairly similar to me....

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  12. Hi,
    I had a similar accident, And had to replace the tube. Also the motor base was damaged (nothing little glue could not fix).
    Your guide was very helpful. I am grateful.
    As you said, a third hand would be nice. Unfortunately God only gave me only two!
    The most tricky part is to fit and solder the new tube. Things are tight and the tube fragile. I also solder the side without the wire first. It seemed more logical. Who knows. For a moment I was considering to take apart the transparent plastic (it should be possible) but I managed without so, let it be.

    Thanks again!
    Alex (from Greece)

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  13. I need some advise, dropped my SB600 few months ago. Sent for repair and quoted almost 75% of the new unit price. I have open up everything; physical check shows the tube intact. The current situation is, the lcd display won't turn on. Can this attributed to broken tube (even thought no apparent crack) or circuitry problem?

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  14. If the LCD won't turn on it probably IS NOT the flash tube. When my flash tube was broken the LCD still functioned without problem.

    I would first check to make sure some wires weren't jarred loose in the fall.

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  15. Folks, believe what is posted in here in regards to discharging the charging capacitor. I replaced my flash tube in my SB-600 and got shocked really hard about 3 times, EVEN AFTER I THOUGHT IT WAS DISCHARGED. The first time it hit me so hard that I threw/dropped the whole thing on the floor. Anyway, this can be done. I changed my tube and it's working perfectly now. I bought the tube for $19.00 online.

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  16. I bought my SB600 off ebay with the zoom function not working, it had been dropped. Thanks to your disassemble guides I was able to super glue the broken motor bracket and the zoom feature is working perfectly! Unit cost was under $175US so I got a real bargan. Thank you!

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  17. My SB-600 capacitor discharged by itself after 3 weeks.

    I bought the tube on eBay.

    Thanks very much for the guide.

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  18. I just got a SB600 that wont fire, opened it up but dont see a visible break in the tube, get about 1M ohm across the ends. Should I proceed with replacing tube or possible other problem?
    Thanks!

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  19. Thanks for the excellent guide. Managed to fix my SB600 tonight. It took me a little over 2 hours, the hardest part for me for unsoldering the old bulb. I see what you guys mean about have a third arm. BTW, I managed not to get shocked somehow, but I was super paranoid, which was why I guess it took me so long.

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  20. I managed to get everything back together, but somehow the tube is not giving off a flash. The ready light does not come on, and when I hit the flash button, I just get a barely noticable pop of the flash tube, so I know the tube is getting the voltage, just not charging, any ideas?

    brian@bhphotography.ca

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  21. Brian. This sounds typical of a bad photo capacitor. These are the high voltage capacitors that everyone is talking about discharging. Yours sounds like it needs to be replaced. I actually just replaced one today due to having the same issue and it works perfectly now. It probably doesn't have a charge, but try to discharge it anyway before handling. you can find it in the elbow of your flash. Replacement should cost between $10-20 USD and only required 2 solder points (positive and negative). Be sure to note which side is pos and which is neg when soldering the new one in place. Good luck!

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  22. THIS IS NOT EASY! Pay to have it fixed by a pro.

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  23. Thank you !
    With your tuto i was able to fix the motor with glue (the zoom function was broken). Now everything works perfectly !
    I saved lot of money, because i'm sure Nikon will charge this repair a lot ...
    Hello from france !

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  24. http://www.uscamera.com/fsa03601-xe701.htm is a website that i just bought mine from 4 days ago. it came in the mail today. $15US including shipping. Your instructions were very helpful. thank you.

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  25. Just replaced my Flash tube in my SB600, after about 2 years of it not working. Just wanted to see if I could do it, well I did! Thanks to the help of this page that Steve did. The hardest part for me was that ##**!@ rubber band, but finally got it. The whole process took about 1.5 hours but if I had to do it again, would probably take half as much time.
    Peace
    Ryan

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  26. One of my SB-800 is not firing any more. When I press the red button to fire it manually I see the ready light blink few times (as if cap did discharge and ready for another fire). Does anyone know if the procedures are the same for SB-800 or are there any gottchas? Also any pictorial directions on how to discharge the capacitor? The front glass/plastic element is melted as well, so wondering if anyone has replaced it (and know the part #). Thanks for a great post.

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  27. I think my SB-800 have a similar problem. I dropped it on the floor earlier today, and now all that happen when i push the little red "test"-button is that i see a tiny jolt inside the flash. Do you think the insides of my sb800 would be very different from the sb600?

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  28. I haven't taken apart an SB-800 (mine aren't broken ;). I have seen the repair manual of an SB-800, and it looks significantly more complex. However, replacing the bulb shouldn't be too hard. Here is a link to the PDF of the repair manual of the SB-800:

    https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0AHrVIXzZK-MTQyYzU4ZTMtZTM2OC00MjdhLTk4ZDMtOTFlZTMzMzIxMmY4&hl=en

    Don't let the complexity of the manual scare you.

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  29. Can Some one Point me somewhere to learn how to desolder the tube?

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  30. If you google "how to solder" you will get some tips on how to solder. That being said, it is easiest with a soldering iron, and a solder sucker. You heat up the solder (with the iron), and place the tip of the solder sucker next to it, and when it starts to liquify, press the button on the solder sucker, and it will "suck up" the solder. Something like this:
    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062745

    However, I did not use one of these, I just heated the solder and pulled out the bulb/wires. But i have since picked up a solder sucker, and am glad I did.

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  31. Thank you very much for posting this informative guide. While I wasn't suffering from a bulb problem, the zoom/focus mechanism had stopped functioning a year ago on my SB-600, and this helped me fix that darn problem. Once again, thank you very much!

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  32. HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I SPEND IN THIS ITEM?

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  33. Thanks for the great tutorial. What is the nikon part number for the SB 600 flash and what depart does one contact to try to obtain the flash bulb? Thanks in advance,
    Tim

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  34. That should have read SB 600 flash bulb above... opps on the typo

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  35. Holy lord in heaven this was a pain. I've done quite a bit of soldering before and unless your hands are tiny (mine are make of grade a sausages), this project will be a pain. Worth it though :D

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  36. Great post - I dropped my SB600, and the tube looks OK....but the whole device is "dead".

    I noticed you posted a link to an SB800 service manual - do you know where I can get a link to an SB600 one?

    Thanks

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  37. https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0AHrVIXzZK-NGFjZGRhOGQtNjkyYS00MWQ3LWE4NmMtZTkxNTk5ZjFmZWIw&hl=en&authkey=CKy54U8

    Link to SB-600 Repair Manual

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  38. Followed your instructions, and I have myself a working flash that someone else was tired of using as a paperweight. Thanks!

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  39. please tell me the mechanical parameters of the tube (length and diameter of glass).
    I search 40mm long and cca.3mm diamater tube.
    thanks:pokot

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  40. Thank you very much for posting these instructions. I ordered the tube from Nikon (dirt cheap). Then on New Year's Day I spent about 1-1/2 hours getting the old tube out and 30 minutes putting the new in. Works like a champ! I've been using it every day at work. I love the internet!!!

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  41. Thanks for this post I just ordered the flash tube for my SB-600 and I can't wait to try to fix it using the information you supplied!!

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  42. Hello,

    Once the bulb is replaced. is it ready to be used? or i need to calibrate it or smoething?

    Somene have a sb-800 tutorial?

    Thanks!

    Nacho.

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  43. Thank you for the great tutorial! It took me a few hours to repair my sb-600, but considering that I have not used a soldering iron in like 20 years I consider this a success. This project does require a great deal of patience though!

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  44. This is a very informative link.
    I managed to fix my own flash. Thanks
    How about SB-900? Does anybody know where I can get the service manual?

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  45. Great site! The most difficult thing for me was taking the tube out and putting in the new one. The white wire attached to the tube gets in the way and I had no choice but to bend the aluminium on the inside.

    DECHARGE IN ADVANCE!!! I didn't and get myself seriously zapped a couple of times (it feels as strong as putting a paperclip into an electrical socket!!!). After three zaps I got too nervous and had to take a few hours break before being able to continue again... Pas attention to the bottom of the flash (the part that goes onto the shoe of the camera) as there seems to a HUGE discharge there. In my case it burned a hole in some iron pliers, gave off huge sparks and now the flash no longer works... (after having spent hours trying to fix it)... Bummer. Can't win them all!!

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  46. Hard as all hell, and microscopic at times, but can be done. Took us around 2 hours and had to modify third party flash bulb. My advice is to buy the bulb straight from Nikon and not off of ebay.

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  47. Just did my SB600 and it was a pretty hard but I got it done in the end. I used an ebay tube and all was fine. I had the flash sitting for about 4-5 weeks with no batteries in it and didn't get any shocks when through out. I have rarely used a soldering iron ever but I still managed this. I would have loved just a few more pics of where to solder in this tutorial but none-the-less I am extremely thankful for it. Thanks SO much for saving me a couple of hundred dollars! Cheers mate.

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  48. First thanks. Really helped me a lot.
    Second. After I "fixed" my SB-600 it seems that TTL doesn't work. Manual works perfectly, even on remote. But shots with TTL are dim. There is a flash, but probably only preflash.
    Any idea what should I check? Thanks.

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  49. TTL is working now. I did not solder contact on green box correctly. Again, thanks for you guide.

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  50. Discharging the capacitor: the contacts for this are in the hinge of the SB600. Look under the pushbutton rubber and you will see two holes about 1cm apart. The flashhead should be in the 12 oclock position to locate these - you should be able to see copper contacts glinting 5mm down inside the hinge. I used a voltmeter (approx 60v) with wire prongs to reach down. The voltmeter needle went off the scale then came down slowly. No real drama, Iain

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  51. I got the job done with the help of a friend. Here is another wee tip. If you can't reach the fourth screw holding the motor drive plate down then reinsert the batteries and drive the flash to the 85mm position. The awkward screw is revealed. Remember to discharge the capacitor again (I got a shock after my smug post above)!!

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  52. I have just replaced flash tube and all seemed to go well, now when i put batteries in no lcd display and red lights on in front

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  53. Thanks for your post. I was able to do this. Didn't know if it was going to work, but it did. Watch those little copper things. No matter how I tried to not bend them I kept doing it....

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  54. Will the photo capacitor spoil if the flash is not being used for more than 2 years?

    My friend has not used his sb600 for a long time when he discovered that the batteries in his flash was corroded. I tried to take the flash apart, clean the corrosion (only on the battery metal contacts), and power it on. Everything works, except when I press the flash button, the xenon flash does not go off. The red light was there, and there is no sound of charging. The xenon flash tube was not damaged, no hard shocks or whatsoever.

    Could it be a bad photo capacitor? How do i check the cap is working?

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  55. This is GREAT! My SB600 does work again. Thanks so much for this fantastic manual.

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  56. nice job!i followed your step-by-step guide and took 2 days to fix. not because of how hard it is, it is how things have to be handled with care..must be careful with the copper thingy, i might say for the beginning i won't touch it nor bend it haha i did bend it but then carefully straighten it back..

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  57. Add me to the club, got my SB-600 back to life tonight. Took about 1.5 hours. Hardest part was putting the little PCBs at end of the tube to fit into the plastic housing. I had to cut the leads crazy short, but still enough lenght to solder it on.

    Thank you so much!

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  58. Very very helpful! Thank you so much for posting this. My SB-600 is all apart, bulb out and awaiting my replacement, somehow I think getting the new bulb back in will be the hardest...

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  59. It works! It works! Thank you so much for all your help.

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  60. Tips : for discharging the capacitor, you can use multimeter.
    1. Put Positive at the end of tube with no wire, and the Negative at the point where the small white wire and tube wire is jointed.
    2. Set your multimeter to be at V (i use AV) and you can see the voltage it contains (600v-1000v at full charged) and it decreasing slowly. After about 30 minutes, it will completely discharged.

    P/s: you can use wire clip to hold for you during discharging.

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  61. thanks for instructions. I got my bulb and front glass (mine was melted) for a few dollars on the ebay. After I put it together, I found out that you don't need to disassemble whole flash. Just 10 screws on the head (4 under rubber button on left side, 4 on the other side and 2 long ones on the top) is enough to open rotating head and change the bulb.

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  62. Hi,

    Where to get the bulb tube?

    Thanks!

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  63. I can't thank you enough for posting this guide. I broke a flash tube when I dropped my camera bag. A local store wanted to charge $250 to fix it and had even tried to sell me a new flash. I got a new flash tube on eBay for $10 and $15 in tools from Radio Shack, and now my SB600 is fixed. Only took me two hours and it was kind of fun.

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  64. Some gentleman mentioned in this post to discharge the capacitor w/ an 1 ohm resistor. This is dangerous. Consider that the high voltage capacitor is charged to several hundred volts (I measured 300ish). The current across the resistor would be several HUNDRED amps. (I = V/R, R=1) The time constant for this circuit would be t=RC=1*C. In other words, you would drain 60% (V/e) of the power in micro-seconds. The power density is in Houdini territory.

    The correct way to drain is low and slow (just like BBQ). Set your $10 multimeter to measure 1000 V DC. Put the probes across the terminals. You will see the voltage drops about 1V per second. Use plastic clamps to hold the probes in place. The high input impedance circuit will drain the capacitor slowly. 300 seconds is about 5 minutes--not too bad.

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  65. amazed anyone can do this themselves. ended up tossing my 600 in the trash after f-ing it up trying to replace.

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  66. Hi. I found that my flash stopped firing today and came across this. Your post mentioned it was obvious that the bulb was blown. Mine us not. Do you know how to verify the problem? I'm sure I can do the repair, I'm just unable to diagnose the fault.

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