Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi All,

I just purchased a WL x1600 used, Is there a way for me to find out when it was manufactured? the serial# is: 1463.

Thanks,
W.

This unit was originally purchased 2/23/01.

I'm proud of our response here. While most manufacturers are not able to determine when equipment was purchased without getting a warranty card back from the buyer, then doing a whole data search, our direct sales approach automatically tracks date of shipment to customers daily by serial number.

This also allows automatic transferring of warranty if the buyer later transfers the equipment warranty to another party and doesn't require warranty cards, RMAs or proof of purchase. I do this on purpose because I personally detest all the hoops I usually have to go through when I have an issue or question.

We've been doing this for thirty years now and have never felt the need to make it more complicated or less customer friendly.

Awesome!!! thank you very much.. :D

..Oh, I forgot to ask, since this unit is about 10 years old, is there a recommended maintenance requirement for it? or is this on an as needed (Problem/issue) basis?

Thanks,
W.

The main concern is the flash and charging capacitors. They are somewhat consumable in any flash unit . . . if used heavily they can loose capacity over time, but if left unused for a year or more they can "deform" and overheat and explode when finally used. With moderate, regular use, twenty years is not unreasonable. Also, flashtubes have a typical lifespan somewhere between 100,000 and 1,000,000 shots, depending on power level.

There are no other particular maintenance issues . . . if they are working, just use them.

If the flash has not been used in a long time then you might want to start out at minimum power and make a few pops at each level until you reach full output. I've read that this can help re-form the capacitors if they've sat idle for a long time. (the caps I normally deal with are MUCH larger and sit on utility poles!)

Thank you all for your response/insight.. I really appreciate it.

Very interesting, i have Ultrazap 2400 mono with serial number only 116 :), how old this one?

It appears to have been Feb 2000.