Ikelite DS160 User manual

Product Registration
Please register your product at www.ikelite.com within 15 days of
purchase. Our product registration database is the best way for us to
get a hold of you in the event of a product update or recall.
DS160 Strobe
Product Numbers 4060US • 4060EU • 4060AU • 4060UK
DS161 Strobe
Product Numbers 4061US • 4061EU • 4061AU • 4061UK

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About this Product
Thank you for your purchase of Ikelite equipment. Please read this
instruction manual completely before attempting to operate or dive
with this product. Please visit ikelite.com to register your product to
receive information on any updates, notices, or recalls pertaining to
your equipment.
Included in the Box
• DS160 Strobe Front # 4060.2 or DS161 Strobe Front # 4061.2
• Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack # 4066.5
• Battery Pack Cover # 0591.4
• Smart Charger for NiMH Battery Pack # 0083.92 US / 0083.93
European / 0083.94 United Kingdom / 0083.95 Australian
• Diffuser # 0591.3
• 1” Ball Mount # 4081.4
• Waterproof Bulkhead Cap # 9104.5
• Silicone Lubricant # 0184.1

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Important Notices
»The battery pack is NOT waterproof when removed from the
strobe front.
»NEVER use, ship, or travel with a water damaged battery pack.
Use of a water damaged battery pack is a safety risk and can
cause damage to the strobe electronics.
»Store strobe front and battery pack in a cool, dry location
when not in use.

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Contents
Product Registration 1
About this Product 2
Included in the Box 2
Important Notices 3
Getting to Know Your Strobe 6
Setting Up Your Strobe 8
Removing the Battery Pack 8
Attaching the Battery Pack 8
Using the Diffuser 9
Attaching the Diffuser 9
Choosing an Arm System 10
Attaching a Sync Connector 11
Using Your Strobe 12
Checking Battery Level 12
Turning the Strobe On 12
Using the Exposure Control 13
Positioning the Strobe 14
Firing the Strobe 14
Maintenance 15
Post-Dive 15
Travel and Storage 15
Troubleshooting 16
Photo Tips 18
Limited Warranty 19
Service and Repairs 19
Contact Us 20

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Getting to Know Your Strobe
Batt
w/Lite
Off
On
On
w/Lite
TTL
Full
Fuel
Guage
Ready Light
3
2
1
-2
-3
-4
-1
SOS
Battery
Pack
Shroud
Flashtube
Refl ector
DS161 Video Light
DS160 Modeling
Light
BulkheadMount

Toggle Lock
BACK
Mount
TTL Full
-2
-1
-3
-4
Re
a
Fuel
Gauge
3
2
1
SOS
Batt
w/Lite
Off
On
On
w/Lite
SIDE
Exposure Switch
Fuel
Gauge
Ready
Light
Power
Switch
Switch
Lock

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Setting Up Your Strobe
Removing the Battery Pack
»The battery pack is NOT waterproof when detached from the
strobe front.
1. Turn the Power Switch to the OFF position and place the strobe
face down on a fl at surface.
2. Slide the toggle lock out and fl ip up.
3. Rotate the toggle lock counter-clockwise 90 degrees.
4. Remove the Battery Pack from the strobe front.
OP
NO
Attaching the Battery Pack
»Never attach a water damaged battery pack to a strobe. Use of
a water damaged battery pack is a safety risk and can cause
damage to the strobe electronics.
1. Turn the Power Switch to the OFF Position and place the strobe
face down on a fl at surface.
2. Check that the o-ring is in place and that the sealing surfaces are
clean. It is not necessary to lubricate the o-ring.

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3. Place the toggle lock in the open position by sliding out, fl ipping up,
and rotating 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
4. Align the battery pack with the front of the strobe. The switches on
the side of the strobe and battery pack will line up when properly
oriented.
5. Press the battery pack down gently but fi rmly until it is fl ush with the
strobe front.
6. Press fi rmly on the toggle lock and rotate clockwise 90 degrees
until it stops.
7. Flip the toggle lock down and slide in to the locked position.
Using the Diffuser
The standard diffuser may be attached to further soften and spread
the edges of the strobe’s light output. The addition of a diffuser to any
strobe or light will reduce the effective power of the light.
The standard diffuser reduces the effective guide number of the fl ash
by approximately one f/stop.
An optional Dome Diffuser is available separately to spread out the
light even more when shooting wide angle or macro.
Attaching the Diffuser
1. We recommend attaching the diffuser to the strobe with a string
or lanyard using the two holes in the diffuser. This will prevent
accidental loss when not in use.

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2. Align the notches in the diffuser with the Diffuser Mounts on the
front of the strobe.
3. Press the diffuser down and rotate counter-clockwise until it stops.
Choosing an Arm System
• An aluminum ball socket arm system is recommended to
adequately support the strobe while allowing the most fl exible
positioning options.
• Most arm systems are designed for underwater use and may not
fully support the strobe above water. Be careful when transporting
the system above water.
• The mounting point is located on the bottom of the strobe. Slide the
mount into the strobe until it stops. Be careful not to cross-thread
the screw when installing.
• Although not necessary, you may apply a small amount of Ikelite
silicone lubricant to the screw prior to attaching the strobe mount
to avoid seizing up with long term use. DO NOT apply Loc-tite or
any other thread locking product as this may cause damage to the
strobe’s plastic components.
Diffuser mount Notch