Fix your SB600 (by David Hilos)


Got my flash back! Thanks Bro David for the great service and really good pricing! It's amazing that NSC quoted me a freaking $280 for the repair!



Also thanks alot for sharing such invaluable knowledge here with us! (though I'm a technical nut no matter what =x)

Thanks, I also learned a lot from you.

Can't compare my rates with service center, they usually replace the whole board to make your flash just like new. Shops and service centers have to pay overhead cost as well.
 

u remove the fuse and solder back again onto the pcb...
space so small... amazing..

Thanks, I also learned a lot from you.

Can't compare my rates with service center, they usually replace the whole board to make your flash just like new. Shops and service centers have to pay overhead cost as well.
 

u remove the fuse and solder back again onto the pcb...
space so small... amazing..

And the fuse is attached with silicon glue to the 2 switching transistors (2SB1148) :)
Sometimes, removing the the PCB in front (F-PCB) is necessary
 

digging up this thread with a request (pretty please.... :) ) for pics of the flash tube replacement.

My flash head is a bit 'droopy' too after prolonged use with a fairly heavy bounce card. Any way to stiffen the movement? :)
 

Got my flash back! Thanks Bro David for the great service and really good pricing! It's amazing that NSC quoted me a freaking $280 for the repair!



Also thanks alot for sharing such invaluable knowledge here with us! (though I'm a technical nut no matter what =x)

NSC always quote higher than the other service center. ;)

The Fuji Xerox Tower rental price should be quiet expensive.
 

digging up this thread with a request (pretty please.... :) ) for pics of the flash tube replacement.

My flash head is a bit 'droopy' too after prolonged use with a fairly heavy bounce card. Any way to stiffen the movement? :)


Sorry, I didnt noticed this post

Someone shared a DIY procedure:
Spell foto with the letter F: DIY Nikon SB-600 speedlight Flash Tube replacement
Scroll down and you will see a link for service manual

This is the part you needed for the 'dropy' flash head
Nikon SB-600 SPEEDLIGHT bounce shaft case part R  | eBay

The "teeth" on the right side are worn out
 

What happens if the flash is dropped?

Either the tube is busted or this:
DSC_3778A.jpg


An inductor coil that serves as a power supply filter to the microprocessor could come off.
Symptom:
Dead set- could not power ON
 

What happens if the flash is dropped?

Either the tube is busted or this:
DSC_3778A.jpg


An inductor coil that serves as a power supply filter to the microprocessor could come off.
Symptom:
Dead set- could not power ON

Yup. I read about the inductor issue. It's placement is so close to the battery bay, that a slight drop can whack it loose or break it.
 

Yup. I read about the inductor issue. It's placement is so close to the battery bay, that a slight drop can whack it loose or break it.
Well, it's not meant to be dropped but it makes troubleshooting quite boring. :bsmilie:
Once you know it's dropped and can not power up, you staright away check that part
 

Last edited:
Sorry, I didnt noticed this post

Someone shared a DIY procedure:
Spell foto with the letter F: DIY Nikon SB-600 speedlight Flash Tube replacement
Scroll down and you will see a link for service manual

This is the part you needed for the 'dropy' flash head
Nikon SB-600 SPEEDLIGHT bounce shaft case part R* | eBay

The "teeth" on the right side are worn out


Thanks so much David :thumbsup:
Will give it a try.
 

10. Replace the thermal fuse with the exact rating.


maker: Tamura
Part number: N4F
temperature:127C
Voltage:250V
Current: 1A

I got them for S$1.50 (equivalent). Still a bit expensive. This part only cost a few cents in actual market :bsmilie:

Mine has a different thermal fuse in it.

Tamura
Y2F
102C
5A / 250V

But have been unable to locate one anywhere. Been looking for two days.

Finally found some in China that appear to have the exact specs but I would rather use the OEM part.

Can you tell me where you got yours?

I'm in the US (Florida)
 

Last edited:
Mine has a different thermal fuse in it.

Tamura
Y2F
102C
5A / 250V

But have been unable to locate one anywhere. Been looking for two days.

Finally found some in China that appear to have the exact specs but I would rather use the OEM part.

Can you tell me where you got yours?

I'm in the US (Florida)

I believe that thermal fuse is located at the battery casing. It is used as a protection in case the battery gets really hot. The thermal fuse I mentioned here is for the boost circuit. That's why the specs are different. There's a few shops here in Singapore that sells thermal fuse.
 

Thanks for the idea. Now I know where to discharge the main capacitor if I need to pull a Nikon flash apart.
 

Thanks for the idea. Now I know where to discharge the main capacitor if I need to pull a Nikon flash apart.

That's the first thing you have to do.
It is described in the first instruction.First 3 photos of the thread
 

That's the first thing you have to do.
It is described in the first instruction.First 3 photos of the thread

Yes, I know that. What I did not know was where to discharge it and this thread gave me the key. In fact, I checked the SB-N5, the Nikon 1 flash, and it has the same solution, two holes under one of the rubber sides.
 

I believe that thermal fuse is located at the battery casing. It is used as a protection in case the battery gets really hot. The thermal fuse I mentioned here is for the boost circuit. That's why the specs are different. There's a few shops here in Singapore that sells thermal fuse.

Hmmm. Didn't run across that one but that wasn't my problem anyway.

But I did find the exact thermal fuse for the battery box. Ended up getting it straight from the manufacturer. Couldn't get just one had to get a bunch (20) so if anyone in the US needs one quick I'd be glad to help them out.
 

7. remove the cover
SB600g-1.jpg


8. Remove the plastic insulator
SB600h-1.jpg


9. Check these 2 terminals. These are the terminals of the thermal fuse. With the use of multimeter, check the continuity of these 2 terminals

SB600i-2-1.jpg

If there's no continuity, the fuse is busted

(The thermal fuse is there to protect the DC-DC switching circuit)


Hey hows it going, new to the forum and glad i joined. I had the same issues, my flash didnt fire, no charging sound and no flash light, my question is i ordered the part you mentioned but it only has two prongs, but the part on the pcb is the black brick soldered below with 6 solder points and two wires which you pointed out. can you show me a picture of how it looks soldered to the board for reference. thank you so much.
 

Hey hows it going, new to the forum and glad i joined. I had the same issues, my flash didnt fire, no charging sound and no flash light, my question is i ordered the part you mentioned but it only has two prongs, but the part on the pcb is the black brick soldered below with 6 solder points and two wires which you pointed out. can you show me a picture of how it looks soldered to the board for reference. thank you so much.

Hi, welcome to Clubsnap
First of all, make sure the flash is not charging. If it does, the problem root-cause is different.
You may not hear the charging sound because the capacitor is full so try to discharge the capacitor.
 

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