Ikelite DS230 User manual

DS230 Strobe with Modeling Light
Product Numbers 40230US • 40230EU • 40230AU • 40230UK • 40230X

2
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
• DS230 Strobe Front # 40230X
• Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack # 40066BK (installed)
• Battery Pack Cover # 0591.4
• Smart Charger for NiMH Battery Pack # 0083.92 US / 0083.93
European / 0083.94 United Kingdom / 0083.95 Australian
• 1” Ball Mount # 4081.4 (installed)
• Waterproof Bulkhead Cap # 9104.7 (installed)

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Important Notices
»DO NOT lubricate or remove the battery pack o-ring.
»DO NOT use lubricants, cleaners, or any chemical on the
o-ring or battery pack.
»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. DO NOT expose the battery pack to excessive
heat above 45ºC or excessive cold below -15ºC.
»DO NOT discard, crush, or incinerate. Check local rules and
regulations on electronic waste disposal and use an approved
recycling facility.

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Contents
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
Charging the Battery Pack 8
Attaching the Battery Pack 10
Using a Diffuser 11
Choosing an Arm System 11
Attaching a Sync Connector 11
Using Your Strobe 12
Checking Battery Level 12
Turning the Strobe On 13
Using the Exposure Switch 14
Positioning the Strobe 15
Firing the Strobe 15
Maintenance 16
Post-Dive 16
Travel and Storage 16
Learning about Underwater Photography 17
Troubleshooting 17
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
Reector
Modeling
Light
BulkheadMount

Toggle Lock
BACK
Mount
TTL Full
-2
-1
-3
-4
Re
ady Light
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.
»Do not remove or lubricate the battery pack o-ring.
1. Turn the Power Switch to the OFF position and place the strobe
face down on a at surface.
2. Slide the toggle lock out and ip up.
3. Rotate the toggle lock counter-clockwise 90 degrees.
4. Remove the Battery Pack from the strobe front.
OPEN
UNLOCK
Charging the Battery Pack
»Use only a compatible Smart Charger for NiMH Battery Packs.
Do not attempt to charge the pack with other chargers. Use
of an incompatible charger is a safety risk and may cause
irreparable damage to the pack.
»Operation of this charger with battery packs other than those
intended is dangerous and could result in damage to the
battery pack or charger.

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»To extend the lifetime of the pack, avoid fully discharging the
battery pack.
»If the battery pack is nearly depleted, we recommend charging
to approximately 50% prior to long-term storage.
»When storing for extended periods of time, cycle the battery
pack by discharging and charging at least once every 6
months. Failure to cycle the pack will reduce the capacity of
the battery pack over time.
»Approximately 20-40% of the battery pack capacity will drain
when left idle for a month. The lost capacity will typically be
recovered after two or three charge/discharge cycles. Lost
capacity may not be recoverable if the battery pack is stored
for over 6 months without cycling.
»Do not recharge a fully charged battery pack.
»Disconnect the charger from the battery pack and outlet when
not in use.
»This charger is for indoor use only in dry locations. Keep the
charger away from re and other sources of heat.
»Battery pack and charger contain no user-serviceable parts.
Do not attempt to open these products. Replace if damaged.
Charge the battery pack in a cool, dry place. Operating and storage
temperature is 5ºC/41ºF to 30ºC/86ºF. Never leave the battery pack
unattended while charging.
The charging indicator LED on the front of the smart charger indicates
the charge cycle. The indicatory may take a few seconds after
plugging into a battery pack to reect the current charge state.

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GREEN
The charging indicator LED on the front of the charger glows green
when the charger is plugged into a power source and when the pack
is fully charged. When glowing green the charger is in trickle charge
mode.
RED
The charging indicator LED glows red when charging the pack. Typical
charge time is 4 hours.
RED/GREEN ALTERNATING
The charging indicator LED alternates red and green lights when
attempting to pulse charge a deeply depleted battery pack up to a
usable voltage. If the charger does not switch to a solid red light within
a few minutes it is time to replace the battery pack.
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.
»Do not lubricate the battery pack o-ring.
1. Turn the Power Switch to the OFF Position and place the strobe
face down on a at surface.
2. Check that the o-ring is in place and that the sealing surfaces are
clean. Do not lubricate the o-ring.
3. Place the toggle lock in the open position by sliding out, 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 rmly until it is ush with
the strobe front.

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6. Press 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 a Diffuser
The DS230 ashtube and reector are designed for exceptionally
smooth, even coverage without the addition of a diffuser. The optional
Dome Diffuser # 4069.2 may be added to increase the spread of the
DS230 beam.
Choosing an Arm System
• An aluminum ball socket arm system is recommended to
adequately support the strobe while allowing the most 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.
• DO NOT apply Loc-tite or any other thread locking product as this
may cause damage to the strobe’s plastic components.
Attaching a Sync Connector
»A bulkhead cap or waterproof connector must be attached
to the strobe for waterproof operation. Never submerge the
strobe without either a bulkhead cap or compatible waterproof
connector attached.
1. Remove the bulkhead cap.

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2. Lightly lubricate the connector o-ring. We recommend using only
Ikelite silicone lubricant to eliminate the possibility of swelling due to
incompatible compounds.
3. Line up the pins and receptacles and insert the sync cord plug into
the bulkhead. The plug should slide easily into the bulkhead. If you
feel resistence, do not force it. Remove the plug and check
alignment.
Waterproof
bulkhead cap
Bulkhead
4. Rotate the knurled retaining ring until snug on the housing
bulkhead. Do not use pliers or tools to tighten the retaining ring.
Using Your Strobe
Checking Battery Level
When the switch is rotated to the Batt w/Lite position, the strobe
will re one test shot and the Fuel Gauge will indicate approximate
remaining battery level. Each LED represents approximately 25% of
the battery capacity.

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Fuel
Gauge
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
75-100% 50-75% 25-50% 0-25%
The Fuel Gauge does not indicate remaining battery life when the
strobe is in the Off, On, or On w/Lite positions.
Turning the Strobe On
The strobe has three ON positions which each affect the function of
the ash, video or modeling light, and indicator LEDs.
TTL Full
-2
-1
-3
-4
Ready Light
Fuel
Gauge
3
2
1
SOS
Batt
w/Lite
Off
On
On
w/Lite
BATT W/LITE
Counter-clockwise one stop from OFF. Use this position to (1) check
the approximate battery level remaining; or (2) to use the modeling
light as a constant-on light.
In this position the LEDs marked 1 / 2 / 3 indicate the approximate
remaining battery level. The ash will re once when the battery pack
is rst switched to this mode. The ash will not re in respnose to a
camera trigger. The modeling light stays on.
This switch position is designated “Batt” on older battery packs. The
operation is the same.

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ON
Clockwise one stop from OFF. In this position the LED marked 2 on
the Fuel Gauge acts as a visual indicator that the strobe is ready to
re. The ash does re in this mode. The modeling light is off.
ON W/LITE
Clockwise two stops from OFF. In this position the LED marked 2 on
the Fuel Gauge acts as a visual indicator that the strobe is ready to
re. The ash does re in this mode. The modeling light is on.
The video or modeling light will momentarily turn off and back on when
the strobe is red to avoid overexposure or hot spots in the image.
Using the Exposure Switch
The strobe has 11 exposure switch positions which affect either the
output of the ash or video light, depending on which ON position the
strobe power switch is in.
TTL Full
-2
-1
-3
-4
Ready Light
Fuel
Gauge
3
2
1
SOS
Batt
w/Lite
Off
On
On
w/Lite
SOS / TTL
• In ON or ON W/LITE power setting, the strobe will automatically
adjust the ash duration based on signals received from the
camera or trigger device. Use only with compatible systems
and accessories; refer to your housing instruction manuals for
information on TTL compatibility with this strobe.
• In BATT W/LITE power setting, the video or modeling light will pulse
in the pattern of the international SOS emergency signal: 3 short
pulses, 3 long pulses, 3 short pulses.

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FULL
• In ON or ON W/LITE, the ash res at full power each time.
• In BATT W/LITE, the video or modeling light will be on at full
intensity.
FRACTIONAL POWERS (-0.5, -1, -1.5, -2, -2.5, -3, -3.5 -4, -4.5)
• In ON or ON W/LITE, the ash res at a fractional power setting
each time. The difference between each switch positon is 1/2
f-stop. In photography, a decrease of one f-stop reduces the light in
half. Therefore, the -1 setting is equivalent to 50% ash power.
Positioning the Strobe
• Use the built-in video or modeling light to make sure your strobe is
positioned in the correct location in relation to your camera frame.
• Adjust the angle of the strobe as the distance between you and
your subject changes.
Firing the Strobe
• Test re your system on the surface prior to gearing up for your
dive. Make sure that the strobe res during your photo at the
exposure level you expect.
• The Ready Light LED on the side of the strobe will glow red when
the strobe is ready to re.
• The Ready Light LED doubles as a condence signal. The LED
will momentarily glow green after the strobe res if the strobe has
received a TTL quench signal.
• If the Ready Light does not glow red, check that the battery pack
is fully charged and the strobe power switch is set to the ON or ON
W/LITE position.

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Maintenance
Post-Dive
1. Rinse your strobe and camera system in fresh water. Do not
remove the battery pack or sync cord prior to rinsing.
2. NEVER leave your system in a fresh water rinse tank. Collisions
with other peoples’ gear can cause scratches or damage to your
equipment.
3. Stow your system in a shaded place where it is protected from
impact or overheating. If no shade is available, we recommend
covering the system with a towel or cloth.
4. Check the memory card capacity and battery life of your camera
and strobe(s). Recharge as necessary.
5. Always re-check o-ring seal after removing the battery pack from
the strobe. Most importantly, make sure the o-ring is in place prior
to re-attaching the battery pack.
Travel and Storage
1. Remove the sync cord or triggering device from the strobe’s
bulkhead.
2. Lightly lubricate the threads of the bulkhead. Be careful not to get
lubricant inside the gold connectors or rubber grommet inside of the
bulkhead.
3. Attach the waterproof bulkhead cap to the bulkhead.
4. Rinse the strobe with fresh water and dry thoroughly.
5. Remove the battery pack and charge according to its instructions.
6. Attach the battery pack cover to the battery pack.
7. Store the strobe front and battery pack in a cool, dry place.

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Learning about Underwater Photography
Visit http://www.ikelite.com/photoschool or scan the QR code:
Troubleshooting
Water enters the battery pack.
• Remove battery pack, clean and dry the strobe front.
• Dispose of the battery pack at an approved local facility.
• Replace the battery with a new battery pack.
• Never re-use a battery pack that has been exposed to water.
Photos are over-exposed (too light).
• Adjust strobe exposure setting.
• Adjust aperture (smaller), shutter speed (faster), or ISO (higher)
setting.
• Move strobe(s) further away from your subject.
• Adjust exposure compensation in the camera.
Photos are under-exposed (too dark).
• Adjust strobe exposure setting.
• Adjust aperture (larger), shutter speed (slower), or ISO (lower)
setting.
• Move strobe(s) closer to your subject and check aiming.

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Strobe will not re when using sync cord.
• Make sure the strobe is turned on.
• Try a different sync cord.
• Restore camera to factory default settings and then re-congure
according to the housing instructions.
Strobe will not re when using an optical sensor.
• Make sure the strobe is turned on.
• Test re the strobe through the bulkhead. If it does not re through
the bulkhead, then the strobe must be returned for repair.
• Make sure the signal ash is ring.
• Make sure the strobe sensor is pointed directly towards the signal
ash.
• Move the strobe sensor closer to the signal ash.
Ready light does not come on.
• Charge or replace battery pack.
• Make sure the strobe is turned on.
Backscatter or “snow” in images.
• Position your strobe(s) farther away from your lens and at a slight
angle.
• Avoid using strobes in extremely low-visibility conditions.

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Limited Warranty
The strobe front is warranted against any original manufacturing
defects for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase.
All other components including the battery pack and smart charger
are warranted against any original manufacturing defects for a period
of one (1) year from the original date of purchase. Defective products
should be returned to Ikelite postage paid. Ikelite will, at its sole
discretion, repair or replace such products, and will return to customer
postage paid. All other claims of any nature are not covered. Except
as mentioned above, no other warranty expressed or implied applies
to this Ikelite product.
Service and Repairs
We are most interested in performing any service to ensure that all
products perform as intended.
No prior authorization is required. You may return directly to us or
through your dealer. Please include a brief description of the problem,
any relevant email correspondence, and/or description of the service
request. Always include name, shipping address, email address, and
phone number inside of the package. Send postage paid to:
Ikelite Underwater Systems
Attention: Service Department
50 W 33rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA
[phone]
[email protected]
For detailed instructions on returning your product for service including
important information on international customs documentation, please
refer to our website at:
https://www.ikelite.com/pages/service-repairs

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Contact Us
If you have any questions about your product or need advice on
getting the images you want, please get in touch with us and we’ll do
everything we can to help you capture your unique perspective.
Ikelite Underwater Systems
50 W 33rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46208 USA
[phone]
[email protected]