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Posted by Ron Davis (Member # 4124) on 01-08-2008, 11:54 AM:
 
We have heaps of old, dead xenon bulbs from the projectors but everyone is afraid to throw them out as they fear it could end civilization as we know it. Is there a safe way to dispose of these? Should we encase them in concrete and sink them in the ocean? Loaded into a rocket and sent to the sun?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks all!
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-08-2008, 12:18 PM:
 
I usually just wrap them up in several inches' worth of newspaper and towels, smash them with a hammer, and toss the remains. Be sure to wear a protective facemask when doing this.
One of the electrodes (the anode?) is made of tungsten; if you save enough of these, you might be able to get some cash for them at a scrap-metal dealer (I've never tried).
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-08-2008, 12:28 PM:
 
This is how I dispose of my old xenon bulbs. It required the original box the bulb was in, and duct tape. Substantial gloves and the "blast suit" should be worn. This can take place in the booth (if it's a substantial hall-like booth like the current multiplex booths) but must be done in an isolated area. Due to the loud noise these bulbs may make, this should be done before the theatre opens or after close.
Place xenon bulb, without protective cover if the cover is hard plastic, into original (or similar) cardboard box. Close box.
Wrap the box with duct tape. You don't have to wrap it completely up like a mummy, just enough to keep the glass shards in the box.
Take the wrapped box and, as hard as you can, toss the box onto a hard floor away from you. (most booth floors are hard enough to bust the bulb.)
If the bulb is huge, you may want to toss bulb from behind something substantial, like a lamphouse console.
The duct tape should reenforce the box enough to contain the bulb's glass shards.
Then place the box in a trash container.
 

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Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 01-08-2008, 01:19 PM:
 
Here in the UK and probably the rest of Europe, spent lamps (and not just Xenon short arc lamps) have to be disposed of according to the relevant national and local laws. Many of the lamp supply companies will provide a bin on site, which they collect when it's full. In this bin go fluorescent tubes etc. Xenon lamps usually get sent back to the manufacturer for disposal/recycling.

There is of course a cost involved with all this green-ness
 

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 01-08-2008, 01:23 PM:
 
Toss all of them, all at once into a big fire.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-08-2008, 01:23 PM:
 
I take them outside, stand behind a dumpster and toss them over the dumpster against a brick wall, then clean up the mess afterwards.

Yes, those big boys do make a nasty pop when they get busted - you can almost feel the concussion waves when they do.
 

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Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 01-08-2008, 01:29 PM:
 
Back in the day when I worked for a company back in Michigan when I took over the booth we had about 3 dozen old bulbs just chilling upstairs. After a while I got sick of looking at them. We were located next to a bar in downtown. So around 2am people would start leaving the bar and heading to there cars. Our emergency exit door on the booth was located in the back of the building and under it was our dumpster. The bar exit was right there as well.

Nothing like dropping a Xenon bulb from 20 feet in to an empty dumpster. The sound that comes from it sounds like a Shotgun. I've never seen drunk people run for cover so fast in my life.

That was one fun night.
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-08-2008, 03:00 PM:
 
love THAT story! we dont have any fun ways to dispose of ours. as with Pete, in the UK the manufacturer seems to have to get them back... thats IF they survive the trip in the lorry back to them....

cant imagine the shock on the drivers face as he thinks hes just had a blowout, but infact its those damned bulbs going (all 7 that we have sitting here).

I think thats why we 'collect' them. saves any issues when sending them back. One day ill chuck em and film the results. just need to add some molotov's.
 

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Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 01-08-2008, 03:11 PM:
 
I was reading or heard somewhere in the UK, that TLS sell the "Xenon Distructor", it is in basic a long plasic tube with a plunger and the Xenon is sealed and you hammer in the Plunger on the side that degases the Lamp and it is safe to dispose of the Lamp.

The real test for anyone who is experienced is to degas a 15kw Xenon Lamp - now that is a real Big Lamp
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-08-2008, 03:26 PM:
 
ooh ooh

we have A big black tube... its like REALLY tough (ive been told) and we store all old tube bulbs in there... but not xenons.

i want to think of alternative uses for old xenons... although even the oldest have a chance to blow up in your face.

oh, and is it really an explosion? i mean fireballs and stuff? or is it a puff of gas and lots of little glass shards? cos if its the latter... all this talk of blowing them up in the trash seems a little exaggerated, in my mind. sure they blow, but everyone says its alot of fun to do... so?
 

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Posted by Alastair Comrie (Member # 4313) on 01-08-2008, 03:46 PM:
 
Theres a few videos on youtube of people destroying Xenons in interesting ways. Like with a samurai sword...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lyC4X38Xx8

Personally i just wrap it up in all the original packaging and give the box a bash on the floor. Seems to do the trick and is great fun if u sneak up behind someone and do it.
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-08-2008, 03:49 PM:
 
does it really make a bang sound?
 

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Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-08-2008, 03:53 PM:
 
Yes.

and quartz shrapnel.

-Aaron
 

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Posted by Alastair Comrie (Member # 4313) on 01-08-2008, 03:54 PM:
 
Yea like Kurt said, it sounds like a shotgun going off next to you
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-08-2008, 03:58 PM:
 
wow. so i guess when installing a new xenon, the effects would be pretty explosive! they always seem quite tough bulbs to be honest. not that ive knocked em about, of course. some of my old colleagues used to almost be scared of handling new ones.. im nonplussed about it really. they seem ok when youre wearing all that kevlar.
so yeah just counted, we have 13 old xenons here at the moment...
 

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Posted by Alastair Comrie (Member # 4313) on 01-08-2008, 04:00 PM:
 
Cool, you should rig up something to do all of them at once...
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-08-2008, 04:04 PM:
 
and like, get some dominoes involved!? sounds like a good idea!
 

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Posted by Ron Davis (Member # 4124) on 01-08-2008, 04:19 PM:
 
Hmmm... good advice, one and all... I wonder if some of these methods could work for problem co-workers... ;-)

Thanks all!
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-08-2008, 05:01 PM:
 
weve got a suicide spot on the roof..... or murder... whatever you want to use it for. you(or they) will land just outside the doors to mcdonalds.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-08-2008, 06:14 PM:
 

quote: Peter David Bruce

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does it really make a bang sound?

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Course, you aint heard anything loud and with concussion results til your standing next to a console and the 6k bulb inside the console decides to let go during a run without warning.

Ears rang for quite the while. Cleanup was horrible, yet it didn't hurt the mirror too bad-just scraped it here and there. Not like when a smaller bulb lets go and mutilates the mirror to where it has to be replaced.

The entire complex heard that explosion thinking that someone shot a .44mag in the building. Even the police was called just in case of a shooting in the complex.

..was a bit of fun that night. - Monte
 

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Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 01-09-2008, 02:02 AM:
 
I just leave them in their protective enclosure and drop them off the roof into an empty dumpster.
 

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Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-09-2008, 02:18 AM:
 
what can cause them to just blow up of their own accord?
 

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Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 01-09-2008, 02:29 AM:
 
The TLS device is called "The Terminator" and it is a sealed steel box with a spring loaded plunger with a hardened tip.

Put the xenon, up to 7kw, inside close the lid and hit the plunger with a hammer. The noise is still very loud and if you do this in a confined space like a booth entrance lobby then ear defenders are advised.

And yes they are developing one for up to 15kW lamps called " Terminator 2" !!
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-09-2008, 02:37 AM:
 
Some kind of internal failure in the bulb can cause them to explode. I know the reason bulbs get changed when they are "due", even if the light output is good, is fear of the bulb eventually failing by exploding and taking out the cold mirror and dinging the hell out of the "salad bowl" reflector. Even a 1600 watt one can sound like a shot gun being fired. A former manager of mine had one blow up on him at a drive-in and he thought he was being shot at.(he said.)
 

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 01-09-2008, 02:56 AM:
 
The increased risk of explosion with old lamps is caused by devitrification of the quartz from which the bulb is made. The same problem affects other types of lamps which operate under high pressure, mainly various tpes of high pressure mercury and metal halide lamps, though in most of these the pressure is not so high. Most of these lamp should be operated in enclosed fixtures, though there are some types of metal halide ones intended for open fixtures. Even tungsten halogen incandescant lamps operate above atmospheric pressure, and so can explode.

All types of sodium lamps operate below atmospheric pressure, and so there is no risk of explosion. Of course, a lamp could still be accidently broken while operating, dropping hot ragments, with risk of injury or fire. Handle all types of lamps with care.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-09-2008, 03:31 AM:
 
But the nastiest bulb to explode are those danged fool LTI monsters, esp.the Helios variety.

Why so nasty is due to to the increased cold pressure these bulbs contain and the thicker quartz envelopes to contain this higher pressure.

The combination of the two gives excellent results on an explosion.
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 01-09-2008, 07:49 AM:
 
If your theatre has a lift (elevator), here's a suggestion. My preferred technique involved the use of a three-storey lift shaft, late at night or early in the morning, when no customers or other staff were in the building.

1. Take lift car to top floor, and isolate power supply to lift.
2. Release automatic door latch on the floor below, then chuck xenon bulb down the shaft. Listen for satisfying bang.
3. Take stairs to basement floor, release lift door latch at basement level, climb into bottom of lift shaft with dustpan/brush/hoover and clear up the remains.

As the shaft is concrete-lined and there's no motor or switchgear at the bottom end, it's completely safe: though I did jump well clear of the open first floor door just after dropping the bulb!
 

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 01-09-2008, 05:01 PM:
 

quote: Leo Enticknap

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2. Release automatic door

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I doubt that most people would be allowed to do this; certainly if I were to interfere with a lift in any way, other than normal use of it, I would expect to find myself very rapidly out of a job.

Our department has taken responsibility for various things in recent years, most recently the telephone system, but there's no way that we would ever be allowed to touch the lifts, that's strictly a job for the lift engineers, and I believe there are a couple of College staff who have been appropriatly trained, and can open doors to release people trapped in a failed lift. Opening the doors on a floor below the cars would be an absolute no no to anybody except the engineers.
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 01-09-2008, 05:20 PM:
 
The automatic door release was just a hook with a solenoid on one end. The allen key type thing you inserted in the release catch simply lifted the hook and enabled you to push the two door panels apart, thereby gaining access to the shaft.

I did the 'how to get people out of the lift if it breaks down' course, which basically said that once you've isolated the master power supply, the car isn't going anywhere. Cutting it releases a mechanism that is 'held off' by the presence of a power supply, which locks the counterweight (and therefore the car) in place wherever it happens to be in the shaft. The only power left after that is from the (four-wheeled) car battery which sits on top of the (lift) car and powers its emergency light and the phone.

Point totally taken that you don't want to be climbing into lift shafts without the appropriate training and authorisation first, though. But I had done it and I did have it.
 

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Posted by Eric Robinson (Member # 2966) on 01-10-2008, 02:39 AM:
 
I look after many multiplexes with many bulbs which need disposing. I created a bulb explosion chamber to get rid of the old bulbs. The bulb explosion chamber, whilst it sounds quite sophisticated, is composed of simple parts.
1) Aluminum trashcan with lid
2) Bungee cord
3) Large piece of metal, I used a large metal tow hook
4) Thin cable about 30 feet
5) Eyehook

Instructions: Drill a small hole in the aluminum trashcan lid. Thread the thin cable through the lid and attach the heavy piece of metal. Attach the eyehook to the ceiling just above the aluminum trashcan. Run the cable up from the trash can lid up through the eyehook and down and out to the edge of the room. Put a defective bulb (unprotected) in the bottom of the trash can in the center. Put the lid on the trash can while maintaining enough pull on the cable to keep the heavy weight up touching the bottom of the lid. After mounting lid, use bungee cord to strap lid down securely. Walk to the edge of the room while holding the cable attached to the heavy metal weight. Let go of the cable and listen for a good crash bang sound. Marvel at the dents left in the sides of the aluminum trashcan from the explosion. Leave the exploded contents in the trash can, because .... its a trash can. All done!
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-10-2008, 03:36 AM:
 
Gee, Eric - dump the cord and just latch the lid down with a couple of padlock hasps. Lid aint gonna blow off that can that bad ...aint dealing with an actual grenade there.

(been posted before...)

And, you're handling an unprotected bulb when you lay it in the can?

Not too cool!

-Monte
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-10-2008, 10:00 AM:
 
Xenon bulbs....always good for target practice. Louis
 

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Posted by Thomas Pitt (Member # 4322) on 01-10-2008, 11:05 AM:
 
I've never seen a Xenon bulb actually 'die', either by old age or by explosion. What actually happens when a bulb needs changing? Does it start to flicker with an unstable arc, prompting the projectionist to change it?

I was once in an auditorium and the show started, the slide projector turned off and sound came on, but no picture on the screen. I could see the projectionist's face at the viewing port as they tried to get the lamp on, but it wouldn't strike. They then stopped the show for about 10 minutes to change the bulb, after which it resumed where it left off.
What about bulbs that 'die' at the beginning or in the middle of a show? Do they suddenly go out like normal filament bulbs, or do they always explode?
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-10-2008, 12:13 PM:
 
No they do not "always explode" and the bulb not striking is not always the bulb either. Depending on your setup it obviously could be a problem with the any of the bulb, striker, or power supply needing replaced. And in the case of having a separate rectifier instead of a power supply, I remember diode failure being the common culprit.

And yes, getting a flicker is a sign that your bulb is going bad.
 

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Posted by Tracy Bellar (Member # 3049) on 01-10-2008, 05:11 PM:
 
Go out on the roof of your theater and drop them on the pavment below. Wouldn't hurt to do so when the local graffiti artist is tagging your theaters back wall. Kind of a projectionist grenade.

disclaimer:(This is in no way a real suggestion. Only something to think about and keep in mind if we are invaded like in the movie "Red Dawn".)

Seriously wrap them up in rags that you don't need so the clean up is easier.
 

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Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 01-10-2008, 06:59 PM:
 

quote:

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What about bulbs that 'die' at the beginning or in the middle of a show? Do they suddenly go out like normal filament bulbs, or do they always explode? [Big Grin]

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quote: Thomas Pitt

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They then stopped the show for about 10 minutes to change the bulb, after which it resumed where it left off.

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quote: Louis Bornwasser

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Equipment was Cinemeccanic x400 and x4000.

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-11-2008, 02:54 PM:
 
I have a collection of Box Office magazines from the late 60's.
Ashcraft ran an add which mentioned "Our Lamps Do Not Explode."
 

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Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 01-15-2008, 12:00 AM:
 
Like this one?


 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-15-2008, 01:28 AM:
 
That's the one!
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-15-2008, 02:31 PM:
 
Dang, those were good lamphouses even though it cost a godzillion in electricity to run these things ... - Monte
 

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Posted by Joe Elliott (Member # 4006) on 01-15-2008, 09:53 PM:
 
Back in 86, just before I had started at Truman Corners Cinema in KC, They had a bulb explode in the lamphouse about 1 hr into the show. The cooling fan had failed, and it overheated. It was a Cinemeccanica <sp> lamphouse with a 2k bulb. The front (small) reflector and the large rear reflector were both blown to bits. I saw pictures of the booth, and around that lamphouse it looked like it snowed inside the booth. There was a fine powder of glass all over the floor. The operator on duty said he had just been standing beside it one minute earlier, walked around the corner, and BOOM. He said it sounded like a stick of dynamite going off. He had heard a bulb or two explode before in his 20 yrs of projection service, but he said this one must have been worse because of the heat. He told this story as a warning to new projectionists to treat the bulbs with respect. When I started doing projection, I checked my picture and sound, and then got the heck away from the projector!!! lol.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-15-2008, 11:07 PM:
 

quote:

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"Our lamphouses never explode!"

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That's funny! Talk about planting seeds of doubt about your competitors' newer-technology products. Strong, Kinoton, etc. need to come up with a slogan like that slamming D-Cinema projectors.

Our projectors do not need someone with a BS in Computer Science to repair!

No, not scary enough.

Anyone?
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-16-2008, 12:45 AM:
 
Send me a couple of those old, spent xenons and I'll take 'em out back and make a video to show you what it's like to blast them with a 54 caliber flintlock!

I'd need at least two. One for the long shot and one for the close up.

If anybody's got a high speed camera it'd be neat to make a super slo-mo of a xenon lamp being blasted by a 250 gr. lead ball!
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-16-2008, 01:25 AM:
 
(..prob be more fun to hit them with a .58cal percussion cap with 750 grain bullet tamped hard down in with a triple load powder charge....pretty mean kick there )
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-16-2008, 08:53 AM:
 
As odd as it may sound...back in the early days of Xenon lamphouses for cinema...the lamp explosions really DID blow the doors off of early lamphouses. They also were not ozone free and would give you headaches. Talk to some oldtimers (if they are still around) about when xenons FIRST started to make some headway into cinemas...they were not the same beasts you think of today. Ashcraft had something to their advertisement.

The add does remind me of a similar Kelmar ad or statement about their automations being Y2K compliant (those that know how they work get the joke).

There are plenty of ads one could run to put the fear of DCinema into the exhibitor if that was the goal with $$$ being the easiest pot shot.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-16-2008, 09:09 AM:
 
Caplocks are for girls.

In a .54 cal. T/C Renegade flintlock, a 550 gr. lead "Maxi-Ball" (conical lead bullet) with 120 grains of powder behind it leaves the muzzle at about 1300 fps with 2,200 ft./lb. of energy. Given favorable conditions, it can STILL be carrying 1/3 of that energy 100 yds. down range. (700 ft./lb.)

That S.O.B. hits like a freight train!

Problem is that accuracy suffers when you go to max loads. Under range conditions, from the bench, you'd be lucky to get a 3 inch group.

That same gun will produce 1983 fps. @ 2003 ft./lb.at the muzzle and will carry 650 ft./lb. down range if you use a patched round ball over 120 grains of FFg black powder.

That still packs quite a punch but, at max recommended load, you're not going to get best accuracy.

If you drop your load down to 80 or 90 grains of FFg on that same patched round ball you only sacrifice about 200 fps. and about 500 lb (bringing you down to a still respectable 1700 fps @ 1500 ft./lb. with 500 ft/lb downrange) which is STILL capable of killing anything on this continent short of a grizzly bear.

BUT... That small sacrifice in speed and energy will shrink your groups dramatically! There are guys who can shoot sub-M.O.A. groups at 100 yds with a patched round ball! (Minute of Angle = approx. 1 inch at 100 yds.)

I've got a .22 cal rifle that will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 50 yds. without even trying and, if I really worked that baby up, I bet I could make a half-minute group. (A .22 cal bullet is only .223" in dia. A 1/2 MOA group is almost as small as the bullet!)

The .22 is more than enough to do the job of busting a xenon. I have done that several times before. I have been meaning to make a "How-To" video on xenon lamp disposal for quite some time, now, but I don't work at the multiplex anymore so I can't get old bulbs like I used to.

If I had a couple lamps to shoot at I'd make us a video.

I can do it with the .22 cal target rifle but I think it'd be a whole lot more fun if I did it with the .58 cal smokepole!

[ 01-16-2008, 10:41 AM: Message edited by: Randy Stankey ]
 

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Posted by Bob Brown (Member # 1205) on 10-14-2008, 07:28 PM:
 
I am thinking of putting a display together, for safety reasons, I need a lamp that has been "de-gassed", is there a way that I can do this in a safe manner or do I only get these lamps from the manufacture.. I have seen displays from lamp manufactures, but I would think those come at a price. I am using Osram 7k lamps. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-14-2008, 07:57 PM:
 
I usually just put the old xenon bulb back in the box it came in, tape the box closed, take it out into the parking lot and slam in down onto the ground. Then I pick up the box and check to make sure I can hear pieces rattle (confirming its destruction) and throw it away. Then I call the paving company to come and fill the newly created blast hole.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-15-2008, 01:33 AM:
 

quote: Joe Redifer

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to come and fill the newly created blast hole.

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..and recovering from sudden compression concussion when you pop a 7k bulb outside....Dang!
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-15-2008, 03:29 AM:
 
I've been told stories about people who have had a bulb blow up near them and they had to have the skin of their chest literally peeled back at the hospital so the glass shards and whatnot could be removed. I've also heard stories of xenon explosions removing someone's face permanently. I love to tell these stories to people so they GTFO when I change a bulb.
 

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Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 10-15-2008, 09:17 AM:
 
Hey now that I am reading this post:

Back in '91 (I think) I had a unskilled projectionist change a bulb in a 4K Xetron Lamphouse at the Edison Park 8 in Ft, Myers, Florida. About an hour into the show - the 4k lamp exploded and blew the doors open on the lamphouse. Needless to say - the reflector was taken out as well as some other important/expensive parts. I just remember seeing the doors partially mangled and didn't realize until that moment how powerful a 4k bulb exploding could be.


 

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Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 10-15-2008, 09:40 AM:
 
Several months ago I posted pictures here of what happened
to one of my lamphouses when a Xenon bulb exploded and totally
pulverized a $1200 reflector too.

Despite a thorough clean-up, I'm still finding small shards
of glass in corners of the projection room.

As for getting rid of old bulbs, I'm aware of at least one theater
here in San Francisco whose preferred method of disposal
is to put
the bulb back in the original box and then put it behind the screen.
I think they've been doing this since the 1970's.
It's like a xenon museum back there!

Today's Fun Foto:
One day, somebody popped into the booth and
surprised me in my Xenon-Bulb-Changing Suit


Hey!- I've got Halloween party to go to in a couple
of weeks. Instead of "Iron Man", maybe I should
go as "Xenon Man"!
 

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Posted by Galen Murphy-Fahlgren (Member # 4535) on 10-15-2008, 10:14 AM:
 
Seems like some people are making this a bigger thing than it is. I haven't destroyed any lamps at my new theater (2kw), but at my old theater, with 4-5kw lamps, I'd just stick it in the box without the protective cloth or cushioning and chuck it against the wall next to the dumpster. It was good catharsis, but nothing really special or terrifying that would require a big blast chamber. It rarely even visibly damaged the outside of the box.
 

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Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 10-15-2008, 11:40 AM:
 
The sensationalism of the stories you year wear off over time and you realize that even though the lamps are dangerous and should be handled with care, it isn't a "hand grenade". To dispose of the bulb properly, simply place the lamp back in it's protective cover, place in the box, and firmly slam the box of the floor with your hand.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 10-15-2008, 01:44 PM:
 
Yes, it has been sensationalized. A very close proximity to a bulb explosion can result in some bad cuts, but hardly the disaster film the mfg.'s make it out to be.

In regards to the xenon suit: I find most of the ballastic jackets and gloves dangerously restrict movement and feel, so I don't wear them. I DO use the faceshield, and wrap the bulb with a CLEAN, heavy cloth.

BTW, ever notice how most lamphouse/reflector designs prevent you from leaving the protective cover on (the hard plastic kind mainly) while installing/removing the bulb?

And here's a prime example of what NOT to do to dispose of a bulb:

Setup:

1 trash can, in the middle of the garage;

1 1kW xenon bulb with no cover or box;

1 major brain fart

Take 1k bulb in hand and standing about ten feet away do underhand toss to get bulb in trashcan. Bulb hits lip of trashcan, promptly exploding and spraying glass fragments all over garage (20x10 feet) while simultaniously shattering two 4 foot flourescent lamps located directly overhead.

Stumble about in darkness while picking glass shards out of one's hair.

Continue to find glass from bulb in strangest places in that garage for three months.


 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-15-2008, 06:34 PM:
 

quote: Tristan Lane

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firmly slam the box of the floor with your hand.

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quote: Tony Bandiera Jr

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In regards to the xenon suit: I find most of the ballastic jackets and gloves dangerously restrict movement and feel, so I don't wear them. I DO use the faceshield, and wrap the bulb with a CLEAN, heavy cloth.

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quote: Joe Redifer

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It is very difficult to do this with MIT or OSRAM bulbs because the boxes they come in are way too damn huge and padded.

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Place bulb in box, tape box up. Use a phillips screwdriver and hammer and pierce the bulb through the box.
 

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Posted by Matthew Kirwan (Member # 3898) on 10-16-2008, 06:08 PM:
 
The white cloth coverings that the OSRAM bulbs come wrapped in is extremely tough, since it's designed to withstand a bulb explosion. I've had good luck wrapping the bulbs in those again, securing the velcro straps, and dropping it on concrete with a door or other partition between me and it. Sometimes you get a bit of glass falling out one end, so sweep up and throw away.
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 10-16-2008, 08:31 PM:
 
Put the old bulb back in the envelope, back in the box, then throw it up in the air so it 'lands' on the bare concrete floor...move away before it lands. It may take a couple of tries to get it to land side-on to take out the bulb but it works fine.

You may want to cover your ears when it goes off though.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-17-2008, 02:10 AM:
 
I think it is best to change all bulbs in the theater at once and then take all of the old ones and put them inside a piñata. Fun times had by all.
 

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Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 10-17-2008, 07:45 AM:
 
or put the lamp on a chair and ask an un suspecting friend to have a seat. Better then the ole fart bag cushion prank.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-17-2008, 11:10 AM:
 
I also like to throw xenon bulbs at elderly people.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-17-2008, 12:31 PM:
 
Slather it in Crisco and have a game of catch!
 

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Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 10-27-2008, 12:50 PM:
 
Has any of you ever ran a search in youtube.com for Xenon Bulbs Exploding?
 

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Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 10-27-2008, 01:03 PM:
 
YouTube web page

This topic was recently discussed on 1570.com.
 

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Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 09-10-2011, 01:08 PM:
 

It has been 1048 days since the last post.

 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-10-2011, 01:08 PM:
 
Gonna dig up this 3yr old thread for a question on the topic of tungsten and recycling:

Heard of a company telling their booth personnel that to save the tungsten elements for recycling when they pop the bulbs before disposal. They run big bulbs, thus the elements are of a decent hefty size and weight

Now, we all know that the elements inside a bulb is of tungsten material, but rather fuzzy on the thorium topic - that an anode coated (or have thorium mixed in with the tungsten, I guess, if I heard right..) in thorium renders the tungsten not suited for recycling purposes.

would this be a true statement?

thx-Monte
 

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Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 09-10-2011, 10:57 PM:
 
Another reason for the lack of recycling could be the high melting temp. 3420 C. 6192 F.
 

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Posted by Joris Springer (Member # 4175) on 09-15-2011, 05:26 PM:
 
At the cinema where I work we have an underground waste disposal system. In the morning we just dump them down there, often with a big bang. Since it is a sealed compartment and no person has access to it unless they put the system in maintenance (and you can't open the hatch for it then), it is a safe way of throwing them out. Just need to handle the lamp carefully when you move it from the box to the hatch.
 

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Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 09-16-2011, 09:49 AM:
 
My company doesent pay me enough to root through the dumpster to find the tungsten from my 2K and 4K xenons.

I leave the lamps in the plastic case, and heave it against the inside wall of the dumpster. I'm always rewarded with a loud BANG!

Thanks for reviving this thread.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-16-2011, 02:57 PM:
 
Most welcome..and do agree, Bruce.

I mainly dug this up to see if the blurb on the value of tungsten was valid or not for recycling.
 

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