Frequently Asked Questions about Sync Cords & Wiring

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Can I use any type of lubricant on my sync cord o-rings?

Why are there special blue-banded sync cords designated as "for Digital"?

How can I use a TTL sync cord to provide manual flash only?

Which is my primary strobe? OR What does the red band mean on my dual sync cord?

I want to connect only one strobe to my dual sync cord. Can I dive with a cap on the other end?

What do I do if my non-Ikelite housing has two bulkheads?

How did the contacts get pushed in on my Nikonos-style sync cord?

Do the newer sync cords work with my old NON-TTL Ikelite Substrobe?

How can I use a wiring diagram to test my equipment?

Test firing with Nikonos sync cords

Test firing with Ikelite Digital TTL sync cords

Test firing with Ikelite TTL sync cords

Test firing directly through Ikelite Digital TTL bulkhead

Test firing directly through Ikelite TTL bulkhead

Testing our Nikon TTL hotshoe

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Can I use any type of lubricant on my sync cord o-rings?: Some non-Ikelite brands of lubricants have been known to cause softening and swelling of our o-rings. We recommend using only Ikelite silicone lubricant on all of our o-rings to prevent potential problems or flooding. Available as part number #0184.1 one 1cc tube or in #5020 package of four 1cc tubes.; Back to top

Why are there special blue-banded sync cords designated as "for Digital"?

Nikonos protocol strobes do not operate TTL with most of the new digital cameras. These cameras may lock-up completely when sensing a standard strobe. These special 2-conductor sync cords allow our Substrobes to operate in manual mode and provide fractional powers when used with a non-Ikelite housing.

Please note that 5-conductor #4104.6 and #4104.62 sync cords look similar, but should not be connected to non-TTL digital systems. These cords should only be used to connect Ikelite TTL Substrobes with Nikonos IV & V systems, film cameras in non-Ikelite housings, or compatible digital SLR cameras used with non-Ikelite TTL adapters & housings.

Blue-banded sync cords that connect Ikelite housings to Ikelite strobes are 5-conductor to provide power to the TTL circuitry built into many of our newer digital housings. Older 4-conductor sync cords look similar but cannot provide the necessary power from the Substrobe.

How can I use a TTL sync cord to provide manual flash only?

These drawings show which contact on the camera hot shoe to cover with tape to allow standard strobes and other sync cords to be used with these digital cameras. This provides manual flash only.

This is useful if you need to use a TTL Nikonos-style sync cord with a non-TTL digital system because the special #4104.31 and #4104.32 cords are not available. This also allows the TTL circuitry in an Ikelite dSLR housing needs to be bypassed in an emergency situation.

Which is my primary strobe? OR What does the red band mean on my dual sync cord?: Dual sync cords have a primary and secondary side so only one ready light signal is sent to the camera. The secondary cord which does not have a ready light signal is marked with a red band. This is the strobe that should be turned off if only one strobe is to be used. This is easy to remember because logic dictates red would be the primary side, but Ikelite got it backwards and put it on the secondary side.; Back to top

I want to connect only one strobe to my dual sync cord. Can I dive with a cap on the other end?

No. The caps including with our sync cords are intended to be dust caps for storage only. The caps fit loosely on the ends to prevent the o-rings from taking a set over long periods of time. There is not enough pressure exerted on the o-ring to keep the end watertight at depth. Diving with a dust cap on your sync cord WILL result in a flood which will NOT be covered under the one year limited warranty.

You may dive with a second strobe attached that is left in the off power position.

What do I do if my non-Ikelite housing has two bulkheads?

Some housings that have two Nikonos style bulkheads are not always wired correctly to utilize dual strobes with one strobe attached to each bulkhead. Dual strobes (one connected to each bulkhead) may not operate correctly if both bulkheads connect all five conductors to the camera. Five conductors from each bulkhead would allow either strobe to operate TTL, but not both simultaneously. One should have five conductors and the other connect only three conductors for dual strobe operation.

We have seen Aquatica, Seacam, Nexus and Subal housings with two Nikonos style bulkheads wired with all five conductors connected to the camera, requiring a dual cord attached to just one bulkhead. The manufacturer should be able to tell you if their wiring is compatible with accepted protocol.

How did the contacts get pushed in on my Nikonos-style sync cord?

The most likely answer is that the connector was tightened down without being aligned properly. The Nikonos connector must be aligned correctly, and should be STRAIGHT when it is inserted into the camera. It is possible to start the connector at an angle, tipping it up to straight as it goes into the camera; but this procedure is much more likely to extrude or pinch the o-ring, causing a leak. The Nikonos system should be very dependable with reasonable care in alignment and installation of a clean connector that has been lightly lubricated.

Some European housing manufacturers have been known to install a "modified" Nikonos socket on their housings. This version replaces the two spring loaded contact pins with rigid non-movable pins which can destroy a legitimate plug built to Nikonos specifications like ours.

Unfortunately these pins cannot be repaired once pushed in and it will affect the operation of the sync cord. Cords with pushed in pins must be replaced.

Do the newer sync cords work with my old NON-TTL Ikelite Substrobe?

Absolutely NOT. Do not use TTL Sync Cords with very old Non-TTL Ikelite SubStrobes that have only four connectors (no center contact) in the bulkhead. Non-TTL sync cords MUST be used with these strobes. These strobes were made before TTL existed, and a TTL sync cord on these old strobes will apply 360 volts to a Nikonos V camera which fries it instantly.

Sorry, but the answer to your next question is also NO. We no longer make non-TTL sync cords.

How can I use a wiring diagram to test my equipment?

These diagrams are provided to help in testing and analysis of Ikelite sync cords and strobes. If a sync cord is attached to the strobe, for example, the diagram indicates which pins on the other end of the cord can be connected with a paper clip to test the strobe functions. If continuity of a cord is being tested, the diagrams indicate the matching connector on the other end of the cord. You can use a multimeter to test continuity.

Please pay attention and exercise extreme caution when using these wiring diagrams to test fire Substrobes. Shorting across the incorrect connectors can cause damage to your Substrobe. Equipment may be returned to us at any time without prior authorization for testing and repairs as necessary. Please refer to the Repair Service FAQ section for more information.

Test firing with Nikonos sync cords

Looking at the bottom of our Nikonos connector with the index groove as shown in the drawing:

Connect "ground" to "trigger" should fire the strobe.
Connect "ground" to "quench" should blink ready light.
Note: Blinking ready light not applicable for digital strobes.

A 3.3K ohm resistor is installed inside of the plug, connecting the ground circuit to the pin identified as 3.3K ohm. This internal connection indicates to the camera that a TTL strobe is attached; and it provides proper operation with any brand of housing that has a Nikonos socket.

Test firing with Ikelite Digital TTL sync cords

The Digital Sync cords, identifiable by their blue band, connect all five of the connectors unlike older TTL sync cords for Nikonos cameras shown below.

Looking at the Ikelite TTL sync cord connector which attaches to the Substrobe or to the housing bulkhead:

Connect "ground" to "trigger" should fire the strobe.
Connect "ground" to "quench" should blink ready light.
Note: Blinking ready light not applicable for digital strobes.

Test firing with Ikelite TTL sync cords

Looking at the Ikelite TTL sync cord connector which attaches to the Substrobe or to the housing bulkhead:

Connect "ground" to "trigger" should fire the strobe.
Connect "ground" to "quench" should blink ready light.
Note: Blinking ready light not applicable for digital strobes.

This connector is also installed at the strobe end of our Nikonos sync cords. The 3.3K ohm resistor in our TTL Nikonos cords allows their use with any brand of housing and the Nikonos cameras.

These older sync cords cannot power the conversion circuitry of new Digital TTL systems.

Test firing directly through Ikelite Digital TTL bulkhead

Looking at the Ikelite TTL Bulkhead as installed on Substrobes and housings:

Connect "ground" to "trigger" should fire the strobe.

DS Series Digital Substrobes starting with these serial numbers supply accessory power as shown:

- DS125 Substrobes starting with serial #5000
- DS50 Substrobes starting with serial #75000
- DS200 Substrobes starting with serial #6500
- All DS51 and DS160 Substrobes

Test firing directly through Ikelite TTL bulkhead

Looking at the Ikelite TTL Bulkhead as installed on Substrobes and housings:

Connect "ground" to "trigger" should fire the strobe.
Connect "ground" to "quench" should blink ready light.
Note: Blinking ready light not applicable for digital strobes.

Ikelite does not use the confidence pin. A 10K ohm resistor is installed in the hotshoe to tell the camera a TTL strobe is attached. A resistor is also installed in all of our Nikonos sync cords.

The wire color codes are shown to help in trouble shooting and installation to a housing bulkhead.

Testing our Nikon TTL hotshoe

Looking at the bottom of our Hotshoe connector for the Nikon cameras:

Connect "ground" to "trigger" should fire the strobe.
Connect "ground" to "quench" should blink ready light.
Note: Blinking ready light not applicable for digital strobes.

Note that a bulkhead installed in our strobes contains both TTL and Non-TTL sync terminals. Addition of our bulkhead to other brand housings will require addition of a 10K ohm resistor (between confidence and ground) to their hotshoe, or replacement with our hotshoe.

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We haven't answered your question anywhere? Click to e-mail ikelite@ikelite.com