Here you will find simple and effective answers to the most frequently asked questions about Elinchrom Service, including common errors and error codes. Choose a topic, questions and answers and discover the information you need. If you do not find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance.
Service contact in the Scandianvia
For technical assistance and support in the Scandianvia, please contact Aifo AB
Flashtube replacement
Most Elinchrom flash heads have plug-in flashtubes, making it easy to change flashtube yourself.
It will need to be held firmly whilst removing and replacing the flashtube.
If the tube is broken, use security gloves to avoid cutting yourself and use an insulated tool to pull out the electrodes.
Insulated tissues or security gloves MUST BE USED.
Any contact with your fingers on the tube can cause dark markings on the tube when used.
Always use a protective glove to remove the flashtube.
Fuse replacement
Mains fuse
Modeling lamp fuse
The unit doesn’t fire or misfire
First, do the following:
If the problem remains, it could come from the flash tube or the keyboard itself.
Battery life tips
The following actions will help preserve battery life:
Battery pack refuses to work
This error could be forced by a deeply discharged Li-Ion battery.
Please never store a discharged Li-Ion battery, always recharge it at least every 3 months and remove the battery from the unit.
Deeply discharged Li-Ion batteries can be recovered when connected and charged with the ELB 400. The ELB 400 unit offers a recovery mode for Li-Ion batteries.
Please contact Aifo AB your local Elinchrom service center.
Ranger Quadra with Li-Ion batteries
If you want to use a new li-Ion battery with an old Ranger Quadra pack you can, but this depends on when the battery pack was manufactured.
Please check out your serial number.
All packs with serial numbers beyond 4001 are compatible with Li-ion batteries, without any modification.
All serial numbers below 4001 are not compatible and require a modification of the flash lamp.
For compatible Quadra Heads, please download the PDF manual.
Quadra troubleshooting (P1.0, P2.0, etc.)
If you get P1.0, P2.0. P3.0, P4.0, or P5.0, please try a master reset as described in the manual.
Press together “up + down” and turn on the unit
Modeling lamp not working
There might be a contact problem in the E27 socket.
Try to screw the lamp a bit further into the socket. Please use gloves for protection in case the bulb breaks. If this does not help, please contact your official Elinchrom service center.
My flash head is dropping down
It might be that the rubber brake discs in the tilt head are consumed or greasy.
You can try to clean them with alcohol or use an anti-grease liquid that does not ruin the rubber.
If this does not help, Please contact Aifo AB your local Elinchrom service center.
The battery pack won’t fire anymore
The flash tube could have cracked and you’ll perhaps need a replacement flash tube.
Quadra Head spare parts
You cannot replace Quadra Head parts by yourself, you’ll need to bring your heads to a repair store.
Burning smell
The ELC Pro HD is trimmed for fast flash duration and recycling times.
Due to its high performance, the Xenon flash tube may extract ozone smell, which is normal for very fast flash units.
A display bug on the ELC Pro HD
There might be something hanging in the software.
Try to reset the unit. If this continues, the unit should be returned for a proper check at your dealer.
How to reset:
This will not delete the “User Preset” data which is restored in the preset menu nor will it reset the counter in the “statistics” menu for “total lifetime,” “total flash amount” and “power.”
The ELC Pro HD spare fuse
If you are looking for the spare fuse of the ELC Pro HD, there is one for the electronic and modeling lamp in the little drawer close to the mains plug.
Turning off sound issues
When turning off, the unit makes an electrical buzz or a zapping sound, ensure that all the main plugs and cables are earth grounded and that the main cable is well connected with the unit.
If this noise is not disappearing, it might be a faulty ON/OFF switch, which needs to be checked by an authorised elinchrom service.
Elinchrom spare parts
If you need spare parts, you have to contact Aifo AB the official Elinchrom service center.
Modeling lamp blow up
If a halogen modeling lamp blows up, make sure the main voltage is compatible with the bulb of your unit.
If you bought an Elinchrom unit from an international website, such as B&H or Amazon, you may have a US configuration. It could be the modeling lamps are 110V and the mains voltage in your country is 230V.
It could also be voltage spikes in the mains, which could be a reason for this unusual defect.
You should always purchase Elinchrom products in official dealer stores.
What covers the 2 year warranty?
The warranty covers 24 months of support for electronic and mechanical parts, except capacitors, flashtubes, and other consumable items.
Quadra / ELB 400 shutting down
Make sure you insert the security fuse on the top side of the battery pack.
Please check the operating instructions, page 8 & 9.
Be careful if you buy from Amazon / eBay
Amazon and eBay are not official Elinchrom dealers, therefore we do not recommend purchasing Elinchrom products from these webshops.
In case you need assistance, official Elinchrom service centers will not help you and your 2-year warranty will not be available.
Always purchase Elinchrom products through our official Elinchrom authorized distributor.
Electronic spare parts
We are not allowed to send some spare parts out, which could force a high voltage accident.
Please keep in mind that the capacitors retain high voltage charges and only professional discharging tools give you the ability to open a unit safely.
Please contact Aifo AB your local Elinchrom service center in Scandianvia to change specific spare parts for your unit.
Very old Elinchrom units
Equipment like the Elinchrom S2 studio flash heads with the 1200e power pack is from 1963!
Old systems like these aren’t supported anymore, so repairs or parts are not available.
Please also consider the security aspects.
We highly recommend not to use them!
Error P or PB
“P” stands for Power (flash power), “PB” stands for Lead Gel Battery attached.
The fuse may not be inserted into the battery. If not, the fuse may be damaged and need a replacement.
Please check the operating instructions, page 8 & 9:
Lead Gel battery capacity loss
The loss of Lead Gel batteries is similar to Li-Ion: 30% within one year.
The main difference is the lower amount of flashes out of one charged battery:
Battery LED indicator stays on
If the Ranger RX Battery LED indicator stays on at 10%, this might be a problem with the keyboard, or it could be a faulty contact.
If the LED does not switch off after a few minutes, the unit should be checked by an Elinchrom repair service.
Unit frozen during the firmware update
Unfortunately, there is no other option than to contact your local Elinchrom service center for assistance.
How to reset the Transmitter Pro to default settings?
Push the left and right speed buttons while the Transmitter is ON (approximately 2 seconds).
This will reset the Transmitter Pro to manufacture settings.
All user settings, except the display contrast, will be reset.
Quadra / ELB 400 unit is not working anymore
Please check that the fuse is inserted correctly in the battery box.
Elinchrom support
For assistance and support on your Elinchrom products, please contact Aifo AB
Flashtube turned dark
A flashtube that turns dark at the electrodes after the first usage can happen after the first burn-in.
It depends on the type of electrodes that are used in specific flash tubes as the Quadra HS heads.
On some other types, you have a kind of white rests at the electrodes.
Error 1
E1 indicates an overvoltage problem. Switch the unit OFF, wait 2 minutes and switch the unit ON again.
If the error still appears, it needs to be checked out by Aifo your local Elinchrom service center.
Error 2
E2 indicates an overheating problem.
Wait until the unit has cooled down.
The unit will switch back to normal operation as soon as temperature decreases to a normal working level.
If the error shows up again, the unit requires a check-up by your local Elinchrom service center.
Error 3
E3 indicates an Auto Dump function fault.
The Unit has detected a time out in the ADF mode.
Switch the unit OFF, wait 2 minutes and switch the unit On again; use the Test release button for power reduction.
Error 4
E4 indicates a Charge fault.
The unit has detected a time-out during recharging.
Switch the unit OFF, wait 2 minutes and switch the unit On again.
Error 5
E5 indicates a Mains supply fault.
Check your mains cord and mains installation sockets.
Switch unit OFF, wait 2 minutes and switch the unit ON again.
Error 6
E6 indicates a possible error in the charge circuit or mains supply.
This error message may pop up if you switch the unit ON/OFF too fast.
Please check all fuses and try powering it up again.
If the message comes back, return the unit to your local Elinchrom service center.
Error 8
E8 indicates a Fan management problem due to overheating.
Check if the Fan is blocked.
Ideal use and storage temperature
The ambient temperature whilst the unit is in use: min. -5°C up to max. 35°C.
Storage temperature: -5°C up to 60°C
Optimal operating temperature: 0°C (32°F) up to 45°C.
Disposal and recycling
Elinchrom devices have been manufactured to the highest standards from materials which can be recycled or disposed of in a manner that is not environmentally damaging.
An Elinchrom device may be taken back after use to be recycled, provided that it is returned in a condition that is the result of normal use.
Any components not reclaimable will be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.
Used Batteries may need to be recycled. Check your local regulations or your local waste management.
If you have any question on disposal, please contact your local office or your local Elinchrom distributor.
Elinchrom user manual and documentation
You can find all Elinchrom user manuals and use-full documentation at Elinchrom website