Lamp Temperature Difference

[TuckerD]

I was wondering weather or not the difference in physical temperature between an EHC, EHG , or an FEL was worth considering changing out lamps? I am fairly certain that the power requirement isn't a big deal (at least not with what I can tell from our instruments).

Thanks!

[techieman33]

What light are they for? If the wattage exceeds what the instrument is rated at then yes I would change it to a lower wattage lamp as the higher wattage may cause damage to the reflector, or even cause a fire if the wiring is to small for the wattage. But other than that if power isn't a concern I try to get as much output as I can from each fixture so I would lean towards the FEL.

[TuckerD]

Thanks! I can only see trouble in 3 of our instruments (all of which are among old things considering the rate that electronics advance). I am trying to put together a lamp order. Any favorite places to shop? (ones that will ship to us out in Montana)

[MNicolai]

The FEL is a good way to burn up any gobos quickly. Lotta heat in those things.

This topic has been discussed before. There's good info here on it.

[65535]

Not really a practical difference in color temperature, the 1kW FEL will be the brightest by far, and the 500W and 750W much dimmer.

If you need punch go for the 1kW.

What exactly are you considering changing the lamps out for exactly? It all boils down to brightness and what your instruments and circuits can support.

[TuckerD]

I am not really concerned about color temperature. I just don't want to order a bunch of lamps that we cant use that much of because they get to hot an burn the instruments. I will look at some lower powered lamps. I have seen some signs of burning some of our instruments that had FEL's in them. (Also just as a note we are talking about some older ellipsoidals here).

Also in note, I am totally guessing at instrument rating. In our theater (with our bad lights) we have yokes that I believe are missing labels and lamp housings that are mismatched with instruments (although 95% of them are the same)

[techieman33]

Post some pictures of what you have so we can ID them. Where are you seeing "burning"?

[TuckerD]

I have found several burnt gobos in instruments, and in one instrument burnt shutters. I will get some photos up in a few minutes.

[Les]

Yeah, not too uncommon when you're dealing with alzak aluminum reflectors and 750-1,000w lamps. I have piles of burned shutters -- from warped to full burn-through. Very common on older 360Q's.

In regards to FELs, be careful with them. Some instruments (like the 360Q) are not rated for them, and will eventually suffer damage from. Burned shutters are cheap to replace as are sockets, but cracked lenses and burned reflectors are an expensive fix unless you have some spare parts laying around. If your fixtures are very old (and not 360Q's), it may not be very easy to source those parts.

[TuckerD]

Alright. I will have some pictures in a few seconds (just getting some uploaded). What should be used in older 360Q's?

[techieman33]

Burning gobo's with FEL's is par for the course, you may want to lamp down if your going to have gobo's on for long periods of time. I just accept burning them up after a couple hundred hours as part of the cost of lighting a show since they would get washed out if I lamped them down to much. If shutters are getting burned up that's usually the case of someone turning the lights on with the shutters closed, which is a BIG NO NO! Poor bench focus could also be causing some of your problems too.

[TuckerD]

Here are some shots from the first event I ever saw beginning to end as a Light Designer. The event "Venture Into The Night" is our theaters larges annual fundraiser for the youth conservatory. It was just 6 days ago and these were the best photos I could find. These are full size and may take some time to load, sorry. If you do want to see more I will dig some up.

Now onto the important stuff. The first photo is the best of the instruments I am talking about. Our theater has quite a few of these. Before you comment on how the light was hung, which I suspect you might, take two things into consideration. I did not hang it, and by the time I got to it it there was a huge Chandelier in the way and I could not get a ladder in place to re-hang it without dropping it.

http://tb.earthlinkzero.info/Venture...20The%20Night/

[TuckerD]

Thanks techieman! If I do have burn shudders how can I repair them and where can I get supplies?

[derekleffew]

... What should be used in older 360Q's?

CB search results for 360Q lamps.

...If I do have burn shudders how can I repair them and where can I get supplies?

I shudder at your spelling of shutter.
Old 360Q's
Production Advantage search results for shutter 360Q

Altman 360Q-parts-manual.pdf (exploded diagram)

[TuckerD]

Thanks Derek, I love your signature, I am lighting that show in our theater now.

[MNicolai]

Thanks techieman! If I do have burn shudders how can I repair them and where can I get supplies?

Most theatrical dealers can supply you parts for your fixtures. If you call up any theatrical vendor, they'll know which fixtures you are talking about when you ask about a 360Q.

BMI Supply does a good job of listing their parts pricing in their catalog. Looks like shutters for your fixtures go for $2.61 per blade.

[TuckerD]

Thanks a ton you guys. This has been really helpful!

[TuckerD]

I shudder at your spelling of shutter.

Dang I was tired. Sorry about that