Brighter than a Source Four

jds10011

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Anyone have any ideas for a fixture that is brighter than a Source Four with a 750W lamp? I have a 19 degree special that the director feels is not bright enough. I cannot supplement with an additional fixture because it is for a shadow effect and only one shadow is acceptable. I have "cheated" by swapping to a 14 degree barrel, but they're not happy with this solution. I have also tried the EDLT option but don't really see much difference in intensity. And yes, I have bench-focused the instrument.
 
besides the 300 hr lamp in place of the 1500 hours - about a third more lumens - you might see if you can crank the voltage up a little. Check to see what it is at the plug with lamp at full. https://www.ushio.com/support/halogen-lamp-life-estimator/ Nice calculator. I cranked in the specs for the 300 hour lamp. with 110% rated voltage almost half again the lumens but life cut to 28%. I've got to guess this is least expensive way even if you go thorugh a few lamps.

There are lots of installs where the fixture is not seeing near the 115 - so check that first.
 
Over-voltage will give you a much brighter light at a higher color temp, which will also aid in the perception of brightness. As Bill says, it radically reduces the lamp life, and you want to use a new lamp before you try it (an older lamp may simply fail.) One caution: How long is the effect run for? You would not want to damage the fixture as over-voltage=much hotter.
 
Anyone have any ideas for a fixture that is brighter than a Source Four with a 750W lamp? I have a 19 degree special that the director feels is not bright enough. I cannot supplement with an additional fixture because it is for a shadow effect and only one shadow is acceptable. I have "cheated" by swapping to a 14 degree barrel, but they're not happy with this solution. I have also tried the EDLT option but don't really see much difference in intensity. And yes, I have bench-focused the instrument.

If they only want it brighter to look different or stand out from background, maybe a L218/L203 to cool it will do the trick. The volt it up solution is good as well and can be done at the dimmer CEM (if Sensor).

If not your only choice would be an arc lamp mover and it would likely want to be a 1200w unit. Expensive solution.
 
Just for giggles, I wonder if anyone has done a shootout with a S4 and one of those ancient behemoth 2000watt fixtures.
 
Just thinking about how achieve an overvoltage like this. Would an adjustable autoformer work on a dimmer output?
I knew someone was going to ask. As I said, check the voltage now. The CEM can limit max volts out but it can't make volts. If this is now on a dimmer system and voltage at the fixture is already near input, then I think means of powering it outside the dimmer system is necessary. An autotransformer and a buck and boost transformer is one means. Or put together a little genset and use a dimmer to vonttol the speed. I dont know, would have to research and know more about the situation.
 
Anyone have any ideas for a fixture that is brighter than a Source Four with a 750W lamp? I have a 19 degree special that the director feels is not bright enough. I cannot supplement with an additional fixture because it is for a shadow effect and only one shadow is acceptable. I have "cheated" by swapping to a 14 degree barrel, but they're not happy with this solution. I have also tried the EDLT option but don't really see much difference in intensity. And yes, I have bench-focused the instrument.
A gam stickup or a mini10 might be better for shadow effects, depending on how much control you need on the rest of the beam. Otherwise, keep in mind that contrast is a huge contributor to percieved intensity--you might be able to make the shadow effect look brighter by dimming down the rest of the stage.
 
Just for giggles, I wonder if anyone has done a shootout with a S4 and one of those ancient behemoth 2000watt fixtures.
I've done some math, posted elsewhere. S4 wins every time.

Just thinking about how achieve an overvoltage like this.
A long-defunct NYC rental shop had what they called a "BASH Booster." Perhaps @STEVETERRY can recall details.
 
I've done some math, posted elsewhere. S4 wins every time.

A long-defunct NYC rental shop had what they called a "BASH Booster." Perhaps @STEVETERRY can recall details.

This was a magnificent case of technical fraud. It was called "The Doubler" and rented/sold by Vanco Stage Lighting. It used a full wave rectifier to produce DC and then a capacitor that charged to a fraction of the peak value of the waveform, producing about 145V output. Of course, it was a clear case of TANSTAAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). The lamp life was reduced to a fraction of the rated life--like 2%. I have attached a photo, and here is a link to the preposterous patent on the device:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4752719A/en?oq=4,752,719

The product label also contains all sorts of safety, Listing, and code-compliance gems--take a read for your enjoyment. My favorite is "All Components UL Listed". It's astonishing that nobody went to jail.

ST
20180531_105420.jpg
 
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I used to use a set of these on my Altman Q1000 follow spots. Worked a charm.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WNCF1B/?tag=controlbooth-20

Not sure how it would work on a SCR.


That's how the Strong Trouperette III's on the Shubert Theatre FOH bridge for "A Chorus Line" were fed. At 130V from the autotransformer, they sure were bright, but there were frequent burnouts. The show used three spots, but there was a fourth spare on the bridge. When a burnout occurred, the operator would dive for the spare, without falling into the orchestra. It was 1975--what fall protection harness?

ST
 
This was a magnificent case of technical fraud. It was called "The Doubler" and rented/sold by Vanco Stage Lighting. It used a full wave rectifier to produce DC and then a capacitor that charged to a fraction of the peak value of the waveform, producing about 145V output. Of course, it was a clear case of TANSTAAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). The lamp life was reduced to a fraction of the rated life--like 2%. I have attached a photo, and here is a link to the preposterous patent on the device:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4752719A/en?oq=4,752,719

The product label also contains all sorts of safety, Listing, and code-compliance gems--take a read for your enjoyment. My favorite is "All Components UL Listed". It's astonishing that nobody went to jail.

ST
View attachment 16548
Have to wonder what the lamp arc-out on was like on filtered DC. I suspect more than one lamp base and socket turned into a mini-super trouper!
 

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