Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi. I have a Zeus Bi-Tube head. I had it plugged into a Dyna-Lite M2000e. Touching the front metal (where the modifier mounts) I received a shock. It was the kind of shock that was uncomfortable to the fingers, startling, but nothing more serious.

The unit was plugged in, but the flash switch on the power supply set to "off".

I cannot vouch for the quality of the grounding where I was working, as it was an old building.

This particular Zeus Bi-Tube was purchased used (as was the power supply). The head has the name-plates installed upside down. This makes me suspicious that the unit was "serviced" by someone unqualified.

I know there are a lot of factors here. I assume that the head needs to be serviced. Does anyone have additional information? I've thought about placing a multimeter probe on the unit to see what is coming out, but I'm not sure where I'd put the other lead.

For the time being, I'm not touching the unit at all while plugged in.

Aaron

This could be a number of issues. First, it could simply be static electricity. However, it could be a bad ground in the AC outlet, extension cord (if you are using an extension cord, it is a 3 prong cord, right?), pack, head cables or head.

You can inspect the cables, in particular the connectors where they go into the pack. Each lead will have multiple connectors. The A side will have 7 contacts, and the B side will have 2. Make sure none of the contacts are pushed in, burnt, missing, etc. Also inspect the receptacles in the pack. It will likely have more contacts than the head (especially the B lead), but it should still not have any that are bent, burnt, or otherwise faulty.

Also, make sure the flash tubes are not touching the faceplate.

Ultimately, if you are concerned of proper assembly, especially with the name plate upside down, the head would need to come in for service.

Also, we cannot make any guarantees the pack is not some how faulty.