Welders know well about the "art" of striking an arc. Yea, a bad
strike can mess up the tips a bit, but they usually straighten out in a minute or two. It's really simple:
1) Power off.
2) Rack out the holders and install the carbons.
3) Open the
iris and
douser and look in the mirror....
4) You will see a little white bead reflected in the
reflector. (Light coming backwards from the
lens.) Adjust the carbon tips so that they are about a 1/4 inch apart, with the bead in the center.
5) Close up the light, close the douser and power it up.
6) Using the forward handle (+ or Suprex holder), pull it back until the tips touch (you will hear the arc) and then let the spring action pull it forward like you are letting the clutch out on a car with a manual transmission.
7) Align the arc gap and forward/backward position using the projection card, or open the douser and adjust for the most even light field. Too tight an arc will make it yellow, too wide an arc will make it blue and it may sputter and drop out.
Your best market for these would be with collectors and museums. Most of us love the light due to growing up with it, and like a fireplace, it has a "romantic" charm! As for actual performance use, I don't think it is generally allowed.
Shame though, I still feel it has better spectral qualities then the newer xenons & HMIs.