There are two styles of flashtubes available for the White Lightning Ultra Series Flash Units: (1) the UFT2 old-style, straight-wire tube for Ultra units purchased before January 1991, and (2) the UFT2-B new-style, banana plug tube for Ultra units purchased after January 1991. Both flashtube styles are available in daylight-balanced (5600ºK) and UV-coated (5200ºK) temperatures.
When replacing flashtubes in your Ultra Series unit, it is very important to note that your unit may have potentially dangerous voltages present (as much as 300 volts DC) at the flashtube terminals - even after the unit is unplugged and turned off. This is particularly true when one of the flashtubes is inoperative. To allow these voltages to be discharged to a safe level by the unit’s internal circuitry, be sure to turn the unit OFF, unplug it from the AC power source and wait at least 15 minutes before proceeding with replacement. For additional protection, it is best to wear gloves or use a piece of cloth when handling the flashtubes. This will protect your hands and also keep your finger oils from damaging the flashtubes.
1. Remove the exhausted flashtubes (working with one half-circle tube at a time) from your unit by pulling each tube straight up and out of the unit’s faceplate.
2. Inspect your new, replacement flashtubes. Ensure that the tube is not cracked or damaged in any way from shipment and ensure that the three metal legs on each tube are straight. If necessary, straighten any bent legs with either your fingers or a pair of needle nose pliers.
3. Install your replacement tubes. Align the three legs on one half-circle tube with the three corresponding holes on the faceplate of your unit. Press the tube gently and evenly into place until it is seated tightly. Notice the middle trigger lead leg, attached to the tube with a metal band. As you insert the tube, ensure that this metal band is not being pushed up to rotate around the tube. Repeat these steps to install the second half-circle flashtube.
To ensure that both of your tubes are properly working, you can test the recycle time (either by counting or using a stopwatch). If one of your flashtubes is not working, the recycle time will be decreased by half with a resulting loss of 50% of the flashpower and an off-center flash pattern. To test the recycle, you will fire your unit at full power (at normal 120 Vac, 60Hz line power). Start timing from the point that the flash is fired until the Ready Green light comes on. The Ultra 1800 will recycle in 3.2 seconds, the Ultra 1200 will recycle in 2.1 seconds, and the Ultra 600 will recycle in 1 second. If your unit recycles in half the amount of time that it should, only one tube is firing.