Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Crackling on lamp strike

This is topic Crackling on lamp strike in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Dan Chilton (Member # 2288) on 01-18-2006, 10:02 PM:

Our rectifier bit the dust last night, but before it did I noticed a little crackling before the lamp would ignite... this happened for about a month or so prior to the rectifier completely dying. I replaced the broken rectifier with a slightly newer one, but the bulb still crackles every once in a while. I'd say 5% of the time when I flip it on, it will crackle for a second or two and then kick on. Is this normal or a sign that something's amiss with my rectifier?

I'm using an ancient ORC lamphouse, btw.

Posted by Jason Miller (Member # 2341) on 01-18-2006, 11:21 PM:

Is there any visible arcing to the lamphouse interior? is there an ozone odor?

Do the wires around the contacter seem discolored?

are the bulb connections tight? is there discoloration on the bulb connections?

Posted by Dan Chilton (Member # 2288) on 01-19-2006, 11:02 AM:

"No" to all of your questions, Jason. Everything in the lamphouse looks good. It's just a short bit of crackling (almost like when you flip on a large neon light, and the ballast makes noise for a second before it flips on).

Posted by Jason Miller (Member # 2341) on 01-19-2006, 07:32 PM:

well.. I would hope that "NO" wouldnt be the answer to "Are the bulb connections tight"...

Try checking the spark gap on the igniter.