Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: OSRAM XL xenon warranties?

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Posted by Christopher Meredith (Member # 3767) on 10-06-2007, 12:36 PM:

OSRAM has started to ship us "xtreme life" bulbs which are apparently replacing their normal line. Specifically, I just installed an OSRAM XBO 4000W/HS XL and I was unable to determine from the warranty card how many hours this bulb is warrantied to run.

Does anyone know the warranty hours for this "XL" line of bulbs?

Thanks!

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 10-06-2007, 05:00 PM:

The warranty card doesn't list the number of warranteed hours? That sure seems busted.
I don't know, but the older Osram catalogs specced the 4000 W/HS (pn 69254) with a service life of 1000 hours.

Osram's catalog (at http://ecom.mysylvania.com/) now lists that lamp with a service life of 1500 hours, but a warrantee of 1000 hours.

Oftentimes you can find different information at osram.com and sylvania.com, but neither of them seems to have the full story.

catalog.myosram.com lists both XBO 4000W/HS OFR VS1 and XBO 4000W/HS XL OFR VS1, but doesn't actually list any useful information...

--jhawk

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-08-2007, 02:44 AM:

I'd recommend in NOT getting those XL bulbs since they are not as good as quality as the regular Osrams.

I heard that Osram has changed their product status to where they're meeting the demand requirements for ultimate light output for a cost of duration..(i.e. the "LTI syndrome") since large circuits are more concerned on presentation than duration.

Thus Osram is meeting these demands of a lesser duration bulb for the exchange of light output - which are not any good for the circuits who rely on duration of bulb life.

If you want the ultimate bulb, head on over to Christie and as for the "CDXL" series of bulbs - a shorter arc gapped bulbs compared to their standard "CXL" bulbs.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-08-2007, 11:08 AM:

The "XL" is a superior Osram bulb, recognizing their good luck with "extended life." The regular Osram bulbs will (eventually) go away when the XL covers the full line. (How can a longer life bul;b be bad??)

Note: Only on Osram; the warranty life is the point at which 20% of the light is lost. Continuous improvements allow longer warranty. I believe other warranties are not related to light output, but are determined by competitive reasons. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-08-2007, 12:34 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
I believe other warranties are not related to light output, but are determined by competitive reasons. Louis

Yea, because Christie is selling way more lamps than they are and they last ALOT longer before you reach that 20% light reduction point. Also Christie has had the XL in their lamp designation(CXL....20...30 and so on) longer than I've been in this buisness!! So Osram had to do something to draw attention. The worst thing that ever happened to Osram was Sylvania. So far in 28 years I have yet to be impressed by anything out of Osram. They are just ok lamps in my book.

Mark

Posted by Christopher Meredith (Member # 3767) on 10-11-2007, 07:11 PM:

I moved from Christie to OSRAM because I can usually get a better picture for longer out of an OSRAM. I had a 2kw OSRAM go past 10,000 hours in one house and it was the brightest lamp in the complex when an unhappy supervisor made me remove it because it was "old."

I asked the original question because my company has a policy of removing lapms once they get to 150% warranty hours no matter what they look like and I wanted to know if I needed to adjust my spreadsheet now that we're getting these "XL" bulbs.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-11-2007, 09:06 PM:

XL means "extended life." I don't think there is any set answer. Each bulb is an individual. Very long life can be good .....or bad. Remember YOU assume the cost of the reflector even when you are 1 hour over warranty.

My opinion is that both Christie and Osram are worthy bulbs. In general all others share a common trait: short, unreliable life. Even they, occasionally, make a good bulb or two. The 2 I mentioned have a history of excellence. Some of the blame/credit belongs to the rectifier manufacturer and the amount of cooling involved. Some equipment/bulb combinations don't matter while others are not very workable. Beware if you are running a switcher power supply. Louis

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-12-2007, 03:40 AM:

Thus, I had a 2500XBO die on me with only 1475 hrs on it - just plain die. No hints whatsoever of any sort of failure-physical or electrical evidence of any failure points. It knocked the rectifier into a lockout mode with the "ignition" LED displaying..prob due from numerous attempts of ignition and then just locked up.

At least Christies, when they get age, they get a little grumpy on striking, but they will ignite and light up-not the prettiest light, but will ignite.

Thus, why do OSRAMS have this sort of failure, I wonder? For all of the Osrams that I've used in the past, it seems that they love to die this way..and they will die when they want to - even new out of the box with 2 hrs on them.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 10-12-2007, 09:47 AM:

What did the electrodes look like?
Did you ask Osram? They should be able to tell you.

--jhawk