The metal ends of the lamp are clean...like new.

The bulb itself is another story. It is 100% black-and-blue inside (it is impossible to see the electrodes).

What could have caused this?

Lamp type: PerkinElmer XM2000HTP
Console: Christie CC20-CH20 (or CH20-CC20?)

Basically it was decided that it was caused by seal failure and/or poor cooling.

Steven Gorsky

I went there and took the cover off the back of the lamphouse (Xetron) and there were just clods of dust bunnies clogging up the tube. I bet they hadn't been cleaned out in years. I got the shop vac and cleaned them out. They haven't had any trouble ever since.
 

When I scraped the dust-bunnies off of the squirrel cage intake earlier today...something I did not do was oil the motor. I haven't worked for this chain in about 2 years so I have no idea when was the last time the motor was oiled.

Although...I can say that I know it's spinning and that air is moving through the tubes. At least I remembered to checked that.

The intake motors should be cleaned thoroughly every time you change the bulb and the motor should be oiled every 6 months.

I service the exhaust fans every 2 years because they are suspended above each lamphouse, but if yours are on the roof or somewhere that is easily accessible then I would bump it up to every year.

I use compressed air (where possible) to blow the dirt out of the motor, and then oil it with SAE 20 non-detergent motor oil, or whatever the motor manufacturer recommends. If it calls for two drops, use two drops and not three. Don't use the thought "If two is good, three is better." It does not work that way.... It'll throw it out of the bearing, and possibly wind up as an oil deposite on the xenon bulb.

I generally do not support the idea of using a toothbrush, screwdriver, or anything like that for cleaning the squirrel cage, simply because all the dirt is dislodged and will usually fall into the blower housing. In addition to that, as mentioned in a previous post, it is very easy to dislodge and lose the balance weights. When the motor is started, all the dirt that fell into the housing will fly out and deposite itself on the mirror, xenon bulb, and other parts as well. Since this accumulation of dirt also has oil in it, a small deposite on the xenon bulb may cause it to blow up.

Seen it happen......unfortunately.

...You'll NEVER guess what happened...

Another one down! Same lamp house.

My supplier will be sending an Ushio just in case I got hold of some bad PerkinElmer (ORC) lamps. I suppose if the Ushio dies then we'll have to look closely at the machine.

In the meantime, is there something we should be checking right away to rule out a problem with the lamp house?

Tell me something about Ushio lamps: I've never used them. I know that they make Christie lamps, but are Christie's and Ushio's identical or does Ushio make something else for the Christie brand?

For instance: I think Lexus and Toyota are the same company...but there's a decided difference between the level of quality with which each brand is associated.
 

And, most important, I understand now.

So, now, I'm really looking forward to getting my Ushio bulb. I've heard so many good things about them. I can't wait to experience the wondrous joy of an Ushio/Christie bulb for myself.