AF160fc Ring flash

Mine has developed a problem. It's not flashing
The ready light glows and lights up very quickly, it doesn't matter what setting I choose. I changed the batteries and it flashed, I thought that was it, sorted, but the next time and every subsequent attempt it failed. If I put my AF-540fgz on the K1ii it flashes every time, I have swapped the batteries and still no flash from the ring. Anyone have an idea on what the issue is?

Hi Steve I'm no tech expert, but perhaps there's a fault with the cable connection between the two parts? Does it fire with the test button? I'd check the cable for secure contacts and any looseness or damage.

Hi Nigel. It has a modelling light which lights up some small additional lights in four equidistant locations around the ring that are different from the flash lights. It sadly doesn't have a test button like the 540. The cable between looks in very good condition but I will check further. I have wondered whether there is a failed capacitor, they are usually at fault when it comes to stuff like this. I have repaired a lot of monitors and server daughter boards that have a failed capacitor, a nice cheap fix rather than replace the complete unit.

Do the modeling lights respond to setting a ratio (eg position 1, 2 or 5) ? This would at least suggest that the flash tubes themselves are ok. As you said, the capacitor is always a weak point.

My own older AF-540FGZ will only fire at full power, even in wireless control mode! I've been using the Cactus system for off-camera work, and the newer AF-540FGZ II for on camera, so it hasn't been worth repairing .... Maybe never....

The 4 lights shown in the attached picture are the modelling lights, inside them is the four flash lights.

The 4 modelling lights come on when the button is pressed and go off as soon as the shutter is released.

I think if I press the "Ready" light the flash should fire as a test, but as you can probably tell, this doesn't work

Sorry Steve, no obvious solution .... Might have to be a repair.

Tried cleaning the hot shoe?

Update... If I put the camera into continuous shooting, by about the 12th shot the flash fires then works fine after that until the next time it goes into standby then another burst "wakes it up"
Confused