Flash Module

[Ronsc1985]

Awhile back there was a post stating Foresight would no longer supply the $150 flash module. I just received a new module from Par2pro and they had to order the flash unit as they were out of stock when I initially placed the order about a month ago. I ordered it to have a spare. My current module is revision F while the new one is revision I whatever that means.

I also had a non working revision H model so I decided to take it apart. Much to my surprise it is indeed a xenon flash tube. I would have thought they would have used a readily available high power IR diode which are very common in police laser speed measuring units.

There is nothing in the module but the flash tube, the high voltage trigger transformer and an infa red glass filter which is the window you see externally. The assembly comes apart quite easily with a little applied heat from a heat gun and a little prying with a utility knife. The xenon tube and the connection to the trigger transformer easily unsolder. The xenon tube is approximately .25 x .75 in with a reflector behind the actual glass tube.

If anyone can find a reflector linear xenon tube that can be rapidly pulsed then fixing a non functional tube would be easy. The possible downside is that the charge and trigger electronics circuitry are in the GC2 so a screw up in either selection or installation of the tube could cause internal damage to the GC2 charge and drive circuits.

[Jbryant016]

Yeah, I'm all about DIY projects to save money, but when it comes to my $6500 unit, I won't be playing around with that. I got a spare flash when my new monitor anyways.

[mmlincon]

That's interesting since we have folks on here telling us it has been LEDs all along. The more costly flash is likely LED and contributing to the price increase if there is in fact one.

[FaultyClubs]

The gc2 has both LED and xenon flash. The apparent $500 price for the new flash sounds crazy given the xenon tubes are about $5. They all can be rapidly pulsed. The new flash won't be LED given the existing driver board. I can see why home users would consider DIY options.

[Antony]

I've got a blown one at home too. I haven't yet pulled it apart but was hoping there was a flash tube or a part number on the blown one to see for a replacement. For $500 you would want a very good run out of it.

[Antony]

Got mine apart too quite easily. The flash tube has blown. I'd have to say this looks very close visually and to size

http://www.xenonflashtubes.com/XFTR-1015-2300.html

[FaultyClubs]

I take it there are no manufacture or part numbers on the blown tube?

I don't see any specs on the one you listed. Can it handle the power levels of the gc2?

Also how did you take yours apart?

[Antony]

I'll post some photo's tonight. I can't see any numbers but it does look identical to the one I posted above. The cover of the flash unit is two pieces bond together by glue. I got mine apart the same way as Ronsc, heat on the sides with heat gun to soften glue and a blade to cut apart the bond. It was quite easy to get apart. My job requires quite abit of automotive electrical repair and I'm picking if the Flashtube preforms like a bulb over power it , it blows. Under power it, it will produce a weak flash.

[Antony]

Briefly looking over how a flash tube works its essentially a spark jumping a gap in a glass filled tube. Its how the spark reacts with the gas inside that creates the flash. I'm now wondering if gap length (tube length) is the only determining factor it how it preforms??? Any sciences geeks here that could shed some light on the subject???

[andygg1986]

Just from reading online it looks like the length between the two electrodes and the internal diameter of the glass are the main factors. It says the inner diameter is about 80 percent of the outer one. There are also quartz tunes that should smell like ozone.

http://donklipstein.com/xeguide.html

[Ronsc1985]

The dimensions of the tube you found are close but not the same as the one in my unit. I previously looked at the same web site. It also has no specs listed. Flash tubes have specs such as maximum pulses per second, voltage level, power level etc. Since the drive electronics are within the GC2 an incorrect tube selection my damage the GC2 internally which can get expensive just for the shipping charges due to the cost of insurance. A more prudent may be to purchase a replacement flash module while they are still available and hope that when your flash module supply expires the price for the "new" module has come down.

BTW I don't know what the internal circuitry looks like but if it is similar to common flash drive circuits interfacing to an LED solution is fairly easy. If you are using LED's you may have to eliminate the current filter lens unless the LED you select has it's output at the pass band of the current filter. Currently the filter is used to block most of the visable light output of the flash tube. If you shine a white LED flashlight through it you will notice most all the visable light is blocked except for, what appears to me, some redish purple band.