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Flash Tube Repair

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  • Flash Tube Repair

    As I posted awhile back the flash module is really easy to disassemble with a heat gun and a utility knife.

    I finally got around to replacing the xenon flash tube which was broken and is most likely the cause of most all flash module failures. The old flash tube and reflector assembly is easily unsoldered from the circuit board using a small fine tip solder iron.

    The replacement xenon tube a XFTR-1015-2300 Reflector with Flashtube Item# XFTR-1015-2300, from Xenonflshtubes.com seems to be an exact replacement for the factory tube assembly. They cost 5.95 USD in quantities of one. The company is in Israel so there is a shipping charge. To the US it took about 10 days and the total cost for three tubes and shipping was 26.85.

    I installed the repaired module in the GC2 and it seems to work perfectly. It picked up all shots from drives to putts correctly. This was not an extensive test since the hitting cage is in my garage where it is uncomfortably hot this time of year. When the weather cools off a bit I'll reinstall it and see how long it lasts.

    Given the alternative of buying a new flash module for 150-500 dollars this seems to be an easy and inexpensive fix. Once you initially get the original failed module apart it takes about 5 minutes to make the switch. Once taken apart you can just snap the module casing back together with no need to reglue since the attachment screws will hold the assembly together.. That way you can just take it out of the GC2 unsnap it and replace the xenon tube rapidly.

    In summary you will need a small low powered soldering iron with a fine tip, a wire stripper, as the wires attached to the replacement xenon tube assembly are rather long, rosin core solder, some rosin remover (I use carburetor cleaner). and some kind of easily removable adhesive (I used a dab of some 5 minute epoxy) to hold the flash tube reflector solidly in the circuit board. Unless this replacement tube lifespan is so short you have to replace it very often there would not seem to be any reason to not just repair one that bursts the flash tube and therefore quits working.

    I don't plan in spending any time looking for a more robust bulb since this one is so easy to replace and comes as a sub assembly with wires and a reflector.

  • #2
    Thanks much for sharing.

    Consider doing a YouTube video and/or even some photos on this DIY hack. I'm definitely game to try it.

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    • #3
      Once you get the module apart the rest is self explanatory if you have ever soldered a wire to anything. This is really as simple as it gets.

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      • #4
        Great info. I agree putting a video here would be very helpful!

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Ronsc1985 View Post
          Once you get the module apart the rest is self explanatory if you have ever soldered a wire to anything. This is really as simple as it gets.
          Used to build a bunch of circuits as a kid, but haven't soldered in a while save for replacing a battery wire or two. The rosin remover (I've never used it) and epoxy were the only confusing parts. I know that carburetor cleaner can be nasty shit--just wondering if I have to be careful with not getting it on any other parts (I know that it dissolves some plastics). Also always considered epoxy permanent, unless it was on clubs that can be heated.

          Thanks once again for sharing. Would love to see if we can build our own super flash modules.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Ookie View Post

            Used to build a bunch of circuits as a kid, but haven't soldered in a while save for replacing a battery wire or two. The rosin remover (I've never used it) and epoxy were the only confusing parts. I know that carburetor cleaner can be nasty shit--just wondering if I have to be careful with not getting it on any other parts (I know that it dissolves some plastics). Also always considered epoxy permanent, unless it was on clubs that can be heated.

            Thanks once again for sharing. Would love to see if we can build our own super flash modules.
            I just use carb cleaner because it removes the rosin residue and is readily available. It is somewhat more aggressive then lacquer thinner but the idea is only to slightly spray any solder joints you made if the rosin flux got all over the place. The idea is not to have any other electrical paths between the xenon tube except the tube end connections

            .The epoxy is only a small dab to hold the reflector in place in the hole for it the stock circuit board comes with. It is easily removable just by sticking the tip of a small soldering iron in it. If you are removing the flash tube assembly it's broken anyway. You can probably use any other type of glue to hold the reflector in place. I used 5 minute epoxy since I had it readily available. You might not even have to glue the reflector in place as it is kind of held in by the wires. I stuck it on so any jostling of the flash module wouldn't change it's orientation relative to the front of the GC2 since I'm guessing the reflector direction is important to correctly illuminate the ball when hit..

            As to the "super Flash"I really don't care. The part I used looks exactly like the OEM part that broke. I have no idea how long the original unit worked since I bought it used and it lasted about 18 months in my home use environment. If it only lasts half as long as the former part I'll be more then happy since changing to a new one takes about 5 minutes. It's that easy once you have the module disassembled. Commercial users have a different criteria then the home user.

            I now have three working modules, the one I fixed and two others, one of which is new and another which has about 1 years use by me. When the others break I''ll just dissemble the case using a little heat and a utility knife as before and replace the flash tube assembly. At $5.95 a pop the life time is not really that important as long as it isn't a weekly/monthly event.
            Last edited by Ronsc1985; 08-14-2016, 01:32 PM.

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            • #7
              Good info, thanks for posting. I'm still on my original flash with one spare so hopefully i don't have to do anything for a long time!

              The critical info is how long your diy tube lasts and if it works normally or has limitations. Keep us posted!

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              • #8
                So what is the trick to getting the flash module apart? is it glued on all four sides?? need info please.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Boo Radley View Post
                  So what is the trick to getting the flash module apart? is it glued on all four sides?? need info please.
                  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.

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                  • #10
                    Any update on the DIY repair, I just received my replacement flashes from Israel, took a couple of weeks, I ordered 3....$27. cheap fix if they last a year. Going to change the flash tonight on the burned out one, Cannot figure out why these flashes are $200 ? !! Actually no longer available , only cost $500 now with only 1 year warranty
                    Last edited by Boo Radley; 11-08-2016, 11:42 PM.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Boo Radley View Post
                      Any update on the DIY repair, I just received my replacement flashes from Israel, took a couple of weeks, I ordered 3....$27. cheap fix if they last a year. Going to change the flash tonight on the burned out one, Cannot figure out why these flashes are $200 ? !! Actually no longer available , only cost $500 now with only 1 year warranty
                      If you own something that is dependant on a consumable item only the manufacturer can sell, they can sell it for whatever they want.
                      My Courses:
                      World Par 3's by mthunt
                      Toronto GC (L) mthunt
                      Burlington G&CC by mthunt
                      Weston G&CC by mthunt
                      London Hunt Club L mthunt
                      Park CC Lidar mthunt
                      Sunningdale GC Robinson L
                      Sunningdale GC Thompson L
                      Muirfield Village (liDAR) First Ever Lidar course
                      Country Club of Castle Pines (liDAR)
                      The Sanctuary GC ProTee L
                      The National GC L mthunt
                      Mississaugua GC L mthunt
                      Shaughnessy G&CC L mthunt
                      Markland Woods CC mthunt
                      Hidden Lake Old L mthunt
                      Magna GC L mthunt
                      Barrie CC L mthunt
                      mthunt Range

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                      • #12
                        I'm buying some now. Excited to fight the man with my DIY flash.

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                        • mthunt
                          mthunt commented
                          Editing a comment
                          I'm excited to get you to make me one too. lol

                        • goatbarn
                          goatbarn commented
                          Editing a comment
                          Hah, I'd be happy to. But maybe let me make sure I can actually do it first.

                      • #13
                        $495 is harsh for a flash with one year warranty. Glad there is already a DIY alternative. Whoever maybe doing a rebuild, please keep a video or a photo record. These things really last, still on my first flash after 2.5 years. So you probably won't have another one to do for a long time.

                        Comment


                        • #14
                          Originally posted by bk1106 View Post
                          $495 is harsh for a flash with one year warranty. Glad there is already a DIY alternative. Whoever maybe doing a rebuild, please keep a video or a photo record. These things really last, still on my first flash after 2.5 years. So you probably won't have another one to do for a long time.
                          There is really no need since this repair is so simple if you can't remember how to do it your mental state has probably have regressed to the point you can't turn on the GC2 without help. At that point, even if you did store the images, you wouldn't be able to remember where you stored them or what they were called.

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                          • #15
                            I've just ordered some tubes for when mine eventually runs out. I got 8 for $62 delivered.

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