Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 2500 w lamps not igniting on new install?

This is topic 2500 w lamps not igniting on new install? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005973

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 03-18-2004, 10:29 PM:

Really strange problem, we are building a 7 screen and currently intstalling projectors. Yes you will hate that we are using an all inclusive Strong package to save money. They are new X-90 consoles. That aside, we have had no problem in our smaller screens with the 1600w lamps working in the lamphouse. Today we tried to start 3 others with 2500w lamps. None of them would ignite. They tried very hard, but wouldn't light. We had one extra 2500w so we tried it in one of them and it worked. The lot number was different on this lamp and the other 3 were all very close in number, so we thought hey, maybe bad bulbs as crazy as it sounded. So we moved that lamp to another unit and it worked again...now we thought it had to the lamps. Then just to be sure moved it to the third and it again did not light. [Confused]

So we moved it back to the first and damn it if it would not light again [Mad]

BTW lamps are Christie, always worked fine for me.

Nothing is different about any of these installs and we have set up at least 8 of these units elsewhere with no problems. Any ideas? Thank you.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-18-2004, 11:21 PM:

When the one lamp DID light what as the operating current?Somewhere in the 85 to 100 amps range hopefully? Strong switchers will usually not light a lamp if the current control is set too low!! Try turning it up a bit and then try it again. Just be ready to turn it down immediately to within the range I stated above when it does light.

There are also other problems that might not make them light but check this out first before we move onto other possible problems.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 03-18-2004, 11:45 PM:

When it lit, we adjusted the current to around 90 per Strong recommendations. We did attempt to raise the current level higher to get them to light as well. Thanks for responding...next guess? I should also say that the 1600s lit fine in these 3 projectors as well.

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 03-18-2004, 11:48 PM:

You say "they tried very hard". This assumes that you could hear the striker. Did you check to see if the spark was jumping anode to cathode or short circuiting somewhere else in the lamphouse?

Also, on the non-operative bulbs, check that the thin nichrome wire is in place, typically from the postitive end of the bulb, to a loop on the negative side of the bulge in the bulb.