Using the right lamp

[TupeloTechie]

In the PAC at my school we have an inventory of Altman Shakespeare and Star-pars (Source 4 and Source 4 par rip-offs.) The Shakespeare is rated to 750w, and the star-par to 575w according to the manufacturers specifications.

The janitor that is in charge of buying lamps, only buys one kind, a OSRAM 1000w FEL, and puts these in both instruments.

I am needing any help I can find to figure out a way to get this changed, the only thing I have now is that the lamps burn out get instantly, and it is a fire hazard. Not to mention that these are left on 8 hours a day, and half of the drops are not fire-resistant due to ignorant and non safe people.

I talked to the janitor today and he said that the "bulbs" were the right ones and that they don't have the money to buy any other kind.

[Footer]

Take a fixture apart and look how the reflector is cracked and flaking. These lamps are destroying the lights, thats all there is to it. Especially the pars, its doing horrible things to them. In the lekos its burning out shutters and whatever else you put in front of the lamp. Also, running the 1k lamps is out of code. The bases are more likely to overheat and start a fire.

[JD]

"The janitor that is in charge of buying lamps" ... That kind of says it all!

I would say to focus on the Safety issue as that is the most likely to get higher-ups to consider voicing their opinion. It is also the most important! I am surprised that you are not having lamps explode as the fixture was designed with a heat limit based on a 575 lamp, and are running for long durations. Speaks well of the fixture's over design at least. Can't imagine what his reasoning is (if any), but maybe he gets a deal on them, or maybe he likes to keep his inventory simple. Get the specs from the web so you have some paper to fall back on if you end up in a discussion with staff other then the light-bulb janitor!

[TupeloTechie]

yes, our school district pays him to only be in charge of one building, most of the time he is playing video games or surfing the web in his office. He knows nothing about the building. Eveytime he touches the sound board he screws something up, he fried my friends i-pod by sticking it in a phantom power input.

I believe he has a deal that he can get the lamps for around $6.50 a piece, and because they fit in the socket he believes them to be the right ones. Also he replaced the whole plot with theses bulbs once last year and I asked him if he bench focused any of the ERSs and he didn't know what I was talking about.

[icewolf08]

While it is true that the FEL is a fairly inexpensive lamp, there are alternatives out there that aren't that much more expensive and will burn longer in your fixtures. There is many a thread on CB dealing with alternatives to the FEL. For your Shakespeares you might suggest the HX-755 which is a long life 750w lamp, they are a few dollars more than the FEL but have a much longer burn life. For the 575w variety there are many choices, so you migh want to just search it here or do your own research.

[Les]

I would be hesitant to call Shakespeare's and Star Pars "Source Four knock-off's". They may not be as good or as widely used, but they've been around long enough to deserve some respect IMO. Now ADJ and Behringer; that's another story...

[gafftapegreenia]

Originally Posted by Lester

I would be hesitant to call Shakespeare's and Star Pars "Source Four knock-off's". They may not be as good or as widely used, but they've been around long enough to deserve some respect IMO. Now ADJ and Behringer; that's another story...

Sorry to continue the hijack, but I agree. I've used Shakespeares several times, both fixed and zoom, and I like them. I actually like the large handles on the shutters more than those on the S4. Altman still makes quality products.

[gafftaper]

Got to agree with the idea of getting the specs from the website and taking them in with you. Do some research and find a good price on a safe alternative lamp as well. Then go over his head to someone who you think understands that safety is more important than saving a couple of bucks. If that gets you nowhere and you feel it's more important to be safe than have friends call the fire marshal and report him.

[jmabray]

Originally Posted by Lester View Post
I would be hesitant to call Shakespeare's and Star Pars "Source Four knock-off's". They may not be as good or as widely used, but they've been around long enough to deserve some respect IMO. Now ADJ and Behringer; that's another story...
Sorry to continue the hijack, but I agree. I've used Shakespeares several times, both fixed and zoom, and I like them. I actually like the large handles on the shutters more than those on the S4. Altman still makes quality products.

Shakespeares have been around a while. Star-pars on the other hand are a complete knock-off of the Source 4 par.

[Les]

Ah, I was wondering about that!