Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Problem with Osram XBO 2KW Classic Line

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Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 11-24-2008, 08:46 AM:

Hi all!

The picture illustrates a problem we had with an Osram 2KW bulb in a SLC20. The bulb was removed with 130 hs.

The replacement bulb installed is showing the same damage with 140 hs. They were both new and are only 2 serial numbers apart.

Has anyone encountered this issue before? If so, WHAT THE F%%&$ IS GOING ON???

Posted by Marin Zorica (Member # 1716) on 11-24-2008, 08:00 PM:

Check rectifier, maybe some diode is NOT conduction so you have much ripple in DC, or you maybe magnet for arc stabilizing??

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-24-2008, 08:38 PM:

What you are getting is the Classic Osram Failure! IMHGO since they are so close together in SN you may have gotten a bad batch of lamps. Why are you even wasting your time with those lamps?

Posted by Jon P. Inghram (Member # 4125) on 11-24-2008, 10:14 PM:

We've had fun with the 4kW OSRAM Classic bulbs too (search for osram classic.) The first looked just like yours, the second blew a seal and turned blue.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-25-2008, 01:43 AM:

What makes them "Classic"? The fact that they fail?

Here's another problem with OSRAM bulbs:

I bet I can fix it, what do you think?

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-25-2008, 02:37 AM:

Film Guard'll get that cover right off there. [Wink]

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 11-25-2008, 06:29 AM:

Do you mean someone strike that lamp with the cover on it?

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 11-25-2008, 10:44 AM:

I bet they covered it up when it was still hot.

Mark G.: The reason I use these bulbs is that they are the only ones that have a dealer in this part of the world. Importing Ushios/Christie would be more expensive.

Thank you all!

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 11-25-2008, 11:56 AM:

quote: Andres Briano
I bet they covered it up when it was still hot.

Isn't it a bit dangerous to operate on a lamp that is stil so hot?

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 11-25-2008, 02:53 PM:

Yes it is very dangerous. I was in a theatre when another tech removed a 4k lamp that was still hot, he was waving it around like a baton with no cover on. The manager was wondering why I had suddenly grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the booth. [Smile]

(That same tech once spent over TWO hours to change a breaker in a subpanel.. I found him working on his tape measure..)

The old hard plastic covers made for interesting modern art sculpture when they were left on and lit. [Smile]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-25-2008, 04:34 PM:

quote: Marco Giustini
Do you mean someone strike that lamp with the cover on it?

That's what I mean!

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 11-25-2008, 07:37 PM:

quote:
That's what I mean!

I can't believe it! [Smile]

Perhaps someone forgot to tell him/her to strike his/her brain before replace the lamp...

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 11-25-2008, 10:12 PM:

Oh, Geeez, you guys! [Roll Eyes]

Joe did it himself, to enhance the quality of his normal Film-Tech theatrics!

The bulb was probably on the way out, anyway.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-26-2008, 12:17 AM:

quote: Andres Briano
Mark G.: The reason I use these bulbs is that they are the only ones that have a dealer in this part of the world. Importing Ushios/Christie would be more expensive.

Andres,
If another lamp outlasts the one you are using and give little to no trouble then it IS alot cheaper to use it. Refunds and lost shows because of utilizing poor quality lamps costs both alot money due to lost shows and a theaters reputation!!!!

quote: Jack Ondracek
The bulb was probably on the way out, anyway.

Hey... thats a good one Jack... But I'd have to add that those lamps are on their way out before they ever come in! I may have to have that one put on a Sweat Shirt for Joe!

Mark

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-26-2008, 02:07 AM:

Mark is right, better off with other brands.

And no, I did not do that myself. It didn't even happen at my theater. I'd be afraid it'd catch fire. A client of a friend did this, and friend still has the bulb.

I'm not sure how anyone could miss that, though.

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 11-26-2008, 04:09 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
Andres,
If another lamp outlasts the one you are using and give little to no trouble then it IS alot cheaper to use it. Refunds and lost shows because of utilizing poor quality lamps costs both alot money due to lost shows and a theaters reputation!!!!

Mark,
I agree with you on principle, however it is not that easy. In my case, the people that approve POs are skeptic to believe that one brand is better than other. Why? Because it is very hard to demonstrate cientifically beyond doubt that most bulbs would outlast brand X. [Roll Eyes]

So, if I present them with a PO for a bulb for $5, when they have been buying the same model bulb for $4,50, it´s more likely than not that they won´t approve the PO.

"Pea size intellect, you say?"

Now, in order to be able to reduce the price of Christie bulbs, we would have to buy a shit load. Keep in mind feight (12,000 miles), insurance and above all, customs duties. I´m solely trying to explain in which way it would make good commercial sense. Now, not anybody can import such large amounts of products. You would have to be registered as an importer or dealer or something similar, which opens a completely different can of worms for us. Keep in mind, this is Argentina we are talking about.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-26-2008, 04:30 PM:

It is amysery to me why anyone would not buy the newer Osram"XL" bulbs; greater warranty, same price.

As regards Christie/Ushio in Europe: try Bell Theatre Services, London UK. Louis

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 11-26-2008, 04:58 PM:

Louis,
Wrong continent.
Argentina is the Southern-most country of South America.
(I had to look it up to be sure myself.)

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-26-2008, 07:21 PM:

quote: James Westbrook
(I had to look it up to be sure myself.)

That's just sad.

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 11-26-2008, 11:11 PM:

I know. [Frown]

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-27-2008, 06:40 AM:

I know Andres and . . . . also where Argentina is. I had read a few other posts and recalled one of the other countries.

We also sell Christie and would be happy to ship to Argentina for Andres. Louis

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 11-27-2008, 12:49 PM:

Louis, I'm starting to see striking problems with the XLs, thus far it's only been on Cinemecannica lamphouses with pulse ignitors. They are either simply not striking of taking so long to strike that the automation shuts down, convinced of lamp failure.

Not a problem in older Cinemecannica lamphouses with brute force ignitors, nor has it been an issue in Strong, Kinoton or converted carbon lamphouses.

I haven't done enough work on the problem yet to make any kind of guesstimation as to the cause, only observation thus far is that it only happens with the Osram Xls.

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 11-27-2008, 01:45 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
It is a mystery to me why anyone would not buy the newer Osram"XL" bulbs; greater warranty, same price.

The reason for that Louis, is that my Osram dealer surcharges the XL line in between 15% and 20%! [Frown]

We´ll be in touch regarding importing bulbs. Thanks.