Skip to Main Content
Custom Product Design Available. Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Troubleshooting

Light is flickering or the brightness varies unpredictably.

  1. Evaluate if any potential EMI producing equipment is in the vicinity (high voltage welding equipment, etc.).
  2. Do not route output power to the light in the same wire-chase as the trigger lines if possible. High current pulses can cause noise to couple into the trigger.
  3. Use shielded trigger cables.

When strobing, the images are dark or inconsistent in brightness

  1. Try using longer pulse-widths. 100usec or higher is recommended for best performance.

The software is blank and shows no controls for the DCS.

  1. Power down the controller and restart the software GUI.
  2. Custom extension cables could be causing the light to not be read by the controller. Only use approved extension cables and lengths from Ai.
  3. Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds, then toggle power on the controller.

I cant connect to my controller or it is not visible in the software drop-down menu.

  1. Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds, then toggle power to the controller. The controller will revert back to default using DHCP or using Default IP address listed in the manual.
  2. Reconfigure IP settings based on if you’re using DHCP or a fixed IP address.

The light appears to be barely lit when idle in strobe.

  1. Normal operation—this is to ensure the controller is charged and ready for the next trigger.

Light is flickering or the brightness varies unpredictably.

  1. Evaluate if any potential EMI producing equipment is in the vicinity (high voltage welding equipment, etc.).
  2. Do not route output power to the light in the same wire-chase as the trigger lines if possible. High current pulses can cause noise to couple into the trigger.
  3. Use shielded trigger cables.

When strobing, the images are dark or inconsistent in brightness.

  1. Reduce the trigger frequency, shorten the pulsewidth, or reduce the current until the maximum frequency is no longer exceeded.

I can’t get the trigger to work

  1. Follow the recommended trigger wiring diagrams in the manual. Try checking or un-checking the “differential triggers” option in the S320 software.  Contact our Customer Service for assistance.

The software doesn’t allow me to adjust any settings (all grayed–out).

  1. Verify the light is connected and that the components inside the “C5” connector are all tightened down completely.
  2. Avoid extending the cable yourself. If you’ve added an extension cable it must be under 2m long, else contact the factory for assistance.
  3. If you’re not using an AI branded “C5” light, the output needs a SignaTech identifier, so it will not work unless one was provided to you from the factory.

I am getting an error-code which is not listed in the manual.

  1. Contact our Customer Service for assistance.

Light starts blinking after period of operation.

  1. Move light to cool air or mount to a heatsink. Case temperature should be less than 150°F.
  2. Use the Adaptive Power feature to train the output at higher temperature to prevent overheating.
  3. If strobe is being used, consider shortening the pulsewidth to reduce power consumption.

Light is flickering or the brightness varies unpredictably.

  1. Evaluate if any potential EMI producing equipment is in the vicinity (high voltage welding equipment, etc.).
  2. The analog or gate leads may be picking up noise. If floating, tie the analog dimming lead to 24V and gate lead to ground.

When strobing, the images are dark or inconsistent in brightness.

  1. Make sure to use a minimum of 30usec or longer trigger input. Best performance is between 100usec to 5msec.
  2. Tie the analog to +24V if floating.

Light shuts off after some period of operation or suddenly shuts off when in continuous (CW) mode.

  1. Evaluate if any potential EMI producing equipment is in the vicinity (high voltage welding equipment, etc.).
  2. The analog or gate leads may be picking up noise. If floating, tie the analog dimming lead to 24V and gate lead to ground.
  3. Verify ICS 3 case temperature is not exceeding 150F, move to cooler air or heatsink if possible.

When strobing, the images are dark or inconsistent in brightness.

  1. Make sure to use a minimum of 30usec or longer trigger input.

The light or driver may have failed/ has stopped working.

  1. Keep a maximum of 10% duty cycle when strobing above 10Hz to keep operating temperatures low in the light or the ICS 3 driver.

Light shuts off after some period of operation.

  1. ICS 2 case should run at ~135F typical, 150F maximum. Review conditions where ICS driver is mounted and move to cooler air if possible.

Light is flickering or the brightness varies unpredictably.

  1. Evaluate if any potential EMI producing equipment is in the vicinity (high voltage welding equipment, etc.).
  2. The analog or gate leads may be picking up noise. If floating, tie the analog dimming lead to 24V and gate lead to ground.
  3. Verify ICS 2 case temperature is not exceeding 150F, move to cooler air or heatsink if possible.

  • Note: This product has been discontinued.

The light doesn’t strobe.

  1. Is Trigger mode selected? The strobe controller must be set to Trigger mode to enable strobe events. In the Constant and Test modes, external trigger signals are ignored, though Test mode does generate an internal trigger signal.
  2. Is the trigger cable connected securely? This is a common problem. Try reseating the trigger cable.
  3. Is your light registering an ID? If so, is the ID that appears in the upper right corner of the user interface the same as the ID printed on the white tage on the power cord? Older Ai light heads (manufactured before August 2000) may not contain a SignaTech signature and will require an adapter cable.
  4. Are you using a Dell PC or laptop? Try disconnecting your RS-232 cable and cycling power on the controller. Some PCs (especially Dell machines) cannot be left connected to the strobe controller.
  5. Are your trigger signal levels sufficient? A trigger pulse of 2.8 volts (rising) or 0.8 volts (falling) must be active for a minimum of 3 microseconds to be detected by the strobe controller.

When I program a second light on the S6000, the first light stops working correctly.

  1. Reprogram the first output again.

After changing the settings in the Windows interface, a communications error message appears when I hit the “Program” button.

  1. Ensure all connections are secure and the controller is turned on.
  2. Ensure the controller is connected to the communications port selected in the drop down window beneath the Program button.
  3. If you are using a laptop, try unplugging the RS-232 cable from the strobe controller. In many instances the settings have been recognized and after disconnecting the RS-232 cable and cycling power the light will function as programmed. Some laptops and desktops, including many made by Dell, are unable to communicate properly with the strobe controller.

  • Note: This product has been discontinued.

The light doesn’t come on.

  1. Make sure all connections are secure and the unit is plugged in.
  2. Is the wire from the power source securely inserted into the power jack or screwed into the terminal block?
  3. Is the power supply switch on?
  4. Is the light infrared? (Viewed at an angle, it is often possible to see a soft glow from most infrared and near-infrared LEDs unless there is a large amount of ambient light. Never look directly at the light head!)
  5. Have you programmed the controller for trigger mode? (Strobe only) The strobe controller in trigger mode only turns the light on in response to a trigger signal.
  6. Have all the channel(s) and/or output(s) been programmed to zero intensity? (Intensity and strobe controllers only) Use the respective SignaTech software to program all channels to a value higher than zero. Some devices and/or lights may require a value higher than five to generate visible light (excluding IR and UV, which may never become visible. Never look directly into these light heads!)

The unit does not appear to be powered up.

  1. When on, the rocker switch will be in the ‘I’ position.
  2. If you are supplying power via a terminal block, make sure the positive wire (white) is inserted into the positive input and the negative wire (black) is inserted into the negative input.

Only half the LEDs come on when I plug the light in.

  1. How old is the light? Some older Ai light heads (pre August 2000) are wired in a manner that is not wholly compatible with SignaTech. Usually, these lights will illuminate only one half of a complete light head. A specific adapter cable for the light is required.
  2. Is the light ID registering on the screen? (The ID will appear in the upper right corner of the user interface.) If the ID on the screen and on the cable tag match, try programming the channel(s) and/or output(s) to a higher intensity.

The light comes on, but does not appear as bright as it did when attached to a different power supply.

  1. How old is the light? If your light predates SignaTech (pre August 2000), it is not wired with signature elements. To protect older lights, the maximum available current is 50mA per channel (MS) or 60mA per channel (CS).