Conventional Fixtures - Super Trouper maintenance

[HighTechTom]

Hi Folks,
Just curious if anyone has more info on cleaning the reflector of a xenon lamp housing than the Strong manual has... (soft cloth and windex or such is all they have to say.)
I just started as Master Electrician at the DuPont Playhouse in Wilmington DE and discovered right off that there have been no maintenance calls for over two years (yikes!) and, yeah, everything is badly in need of a tune up. Of the three spots, two actually work, but both need TLC. Pajama Game is currently up and running, but with way too many notes... Spots first, Shakespears next, pars after that... The cables and mults all seem okay... so far.

Thanks for any comments (prayers also gratefully accepted!)

TWEST
HighTechTom

[derekleffew]

I prefer a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water for cleaning all optics, in followspots, moving lights, and conventionals. Windex contains ammonia and anti-streaking agents, both of which are bad. Coffee filters are much preferable over paper towels or dirty cotton towels.

While on the subject of SuperTrouper maintenance, you do know that the lamps should be rotated 90° every 250 operating hours, right?

[bdkdesigns]

To further feed off of what Derek said, use the 91% percent isopropryl alcohol and not the lower percentage stuff. There is a big difference. Otherwise, he seems to use the same solution that I use for cleaning reflectors right down to the coffee filters.

[SteveB]

In order to get at the reflectors, you need to access the lamp house. And remember that xenon's can and have exploded, with tremendous force - they are pressurized to something like 15 atmospheres. Before opening up the spot, put on the following protective head and eye wear and I am not joking.

- Protective safety glasses
- Clear protective face mask
- Heavy leather safety coat with sleeves
- Protective gloves - I use a set that have a Kevlar lining.

If you are NOT removing the lamp, drape a protective and clean cloth over the lamp, so as not to get cleaning solution on the lamp.

Steve B.

[Van]

Originally Posted by SteveB

In order to get at the reflectors, you need to access the lamp house. And remember that xenon's can and have exploded, with tremendous force - they are pressurized to something like 15 atmospheres. Before opening up the spot, put on the following protective head and eye wear and I am not joking.

- Protective safety glasses
- Clear protective face mask
- Heavy leather safety coat with sleeves
- Protective gloves - I use a set that have a Kevlar lining.

If you are NOT removing the lamp, drape a protective and clean cloth over the lamp, so as not to get cleaning solution on the lamp.

Steve B.

For anyone not paying attention the above is a very very very serious post. You must wear your Bomb Squad gear when changing out Xenon lamps. I was under the impression that they were under something like 30 atmospheres , but I have been mistaken in the past, as many here are all too happy to point out.

FYI one atmosphere is 15 pounds per square inch, < ok 14.735 at MSL but 15 is much easier to do the math for.>
so even at 15 atmospheres you are talking about 225 pounds per square inch, that equals a lot of really quickly flying glass when exploded.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by Van

...I was under the impression that they were under something like 30 atmospheres , but I have been mistaken in the past...

Van and SteveB are both correct. It's 15 atmospheres at room temperature and 30 atmospheres while operating.

[Sony]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Van and SteveB are both correct. It's 15 atmospheres at room temperature and 30 atmospheres while operating.

Hooray for thermal expansion! lol Man I would not want to be around that if it ever exploded while in operation.

[derekleffew]

Is Strong the only manufacturer that uses Security Screws or Key Locks on its Xenon lamp houses to limit entry to "qualified personnel only"? I don't recall seeing anything special on Lycian 1290XLT or 1293s.

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Is Strong the only manufacturer that uses Security Screws or Key Locks on its Xenon lamp houses to limit entry to "qualified personnel only"? I don't recall seeing anything special on Lycian 1290XLT or 1293s.

My Lycian 1293's have security Torx screws to limit lamp house access.

SB

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Is Strong the only manufacturer that uses Security Screws or Key Locks on its Xenon lamp houses to limit entry to "qualified personnel only"? I don't recall seeing anything special on Lycian 1290XLT or 1293s.

I can't help noticing the quotation marks around "qualified personnel only". Key's restrict access to "authorized personnel". Depending on how the venue is managed, "authorized personnel" may or may not be qualified to work on the equipment, and "qualified personnel" may or may not be authorized.

At my venue there are certain pieces of equipment for which I am the only member of our staff that meets the criteria for "qualified personnel", but as only our TD has the key to the closet they're stored in, no one is authorized to even touch the equipment without his approval.

I guess my point is that we need to make a distinction between "qualified personnel" and "authorized personnel".