Nikon SB-140 specialist speedlight

[Ultrapurple]

Hi folks

Does anyone have any info on the now rather elderly Nikon SB-140 flash? It's a rare, UV-enhanced version of the SB-14 'hammerhead' style - and mine has suddenly packed up.

Briefly, the (separate) inverter pack 'sings' in the way I expect, slowly rising in frequency as it charges the capacitor in the head, but the 'Ready' light never comes on and it won't flash. The only test I have done so far is checking the continuity of the power cable (all OK) and X-Raying the head to see if I could spot anything obvious like something broken. I haven't yet opened it up, simply because I like to ask for help before getting the screwdrivers out and possibly messing something else up.

If you have any experience of the SB-140 or SB-14 I'd be very pleased to hear from you, here or via PM.

Thanks - Ultrapurple
(usually to be found in the Thermal Imaging section, but I had my papers checked at the border before entering Repair...)

[frozenfrogz]

I would start by replacing the power cap(s) inside.
These are most likely to fail IMO.

[Ultrapurple]

Yes, that would be my normal reaction too but the inverter sound suggests the main cap is charging OK (and to the usual level); the X-Ray suggests there are no other big caps apart from the main one.

Once I pull the flash head apart I will of course check that the voltages around the main cap appear OK; I'd expect them to be a reasonable proportion of the cap's rated voltage (say 300V on a 450V cap). I'll also do my best to avoid using the cap as a defibrillator!

[Ultrapurple]

I am embarrassed to say I found the fault. The problem was traced to a cause entirely external to anything manufactured by Nikon. It was good old User Error (otherwise known as stupidity on my part). But at least I'm prepared to admit it!

When I first got the flash it came with some alkaline cells already fitted. I ordered some NiMH cells and charged them, then removed the alkalines. I had just enough time to note that the spring contacts were all on the same (upper) side and note approvingly that this would reduce any tendency for contact to be lost if you were running and photographing - then the phone rang.

Later, I put the freshly charged batteries in and, without testing, went on holiday for a long weekend. I didn't have cause to use the flash, though I did take lots of UV, IR and LWIR images. It was when I got home I discovered the flash didn't work. I swapped back to the alkalines, to no effect, so I hit the various forums asking for help.

Today I sat down with the flash and a multimeter, planning to check the on-load battery voltage, the DC output from the inverter (thanks Shane) and possibly the voltage on the PC sync terminals. The battery voltage appeared to be 2.73V - clearly wrong! It was then that I realised the batteries should be inserted in the traditional down-up-down fashion: although Nikon were clever enough to put the springs at the top they weren't foresighted enough to arrange the holder so all the batteries pointed the same way.

Cut to the chase: Once I installed the batteries the right way round, the flash charged in 2 or 3 seconds and the Ready light came on. I swear it was laughing at me.

The bottom line is that I'm very glad I asked for lots of advice and WAITED before diving in to the device, trying to fix a fault that wasn't really there.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to consider this issue and made helpful suggestions. I am beginning to think I should give up on all this high-tech photography stuff and go back to making charcoal sketches (my talent for which is famously - possibly even legendarily - bad).