Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Are NOS Xenon Bulbs Still 'OK' To Use?

This is topic Are NOS Xenon Bulbs Still 'OK' To Use? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-21-2010, 11:14 AM:

I recently found a stash of brand new, but never
used, 4K xenon bulbs. They're sill in the original
boxes, and the seals on all the boxes, except for
the one I opened to inspect, are all unbroken.

They are from a major manufacturer.

As near as I can tell, these have been sitting
around, undisturbed, for between 8-10 years.

So, my question is: Are these still good to use?

Do the bulb seals deteriorate over time in storage?

I'm considering using them as "emergency spares"

-Thanks-

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-21-2010, 12:15 PM:

look closely at the seals
if they still look good give them a shot
you may find that they will not last as long just because they have and pressure related stress for a long time

Posted by Marin Zorica (Member # 1716) on 11-21-2010, 12:38 PM:

I had some NOS vertical lamps from Osram, stock was back from 1983 or so....did use them and they work without problems.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-21-2010, 12:59 PM:

Osram warranty is good forever as far as oldness goes.

Christie is 5 years. Others; your mileage will vary.

My knowledge base is Osram/Christie. I have never seen deterioration due to age, only hours used. Louis

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 11-22-2010, 09:13 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
Osram warranty is good forever as far as oldness goes.

Christie is 5 years. Others; your mileage will vary.

My knowledge base is Osram/Christie. I have never seen deterioration due to age, only hours used. Louis

So I wonder if my 13 year old Christie 1.6k spares at UC Irvine are still good?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-22-2010, 09:45 PM:

The oldest lamp I ever put into use was fomr the mid 1960's. It ran just fine... Main thing to do here is carefully inspect the lamp... as though it was going into a digital projector with an 8,000.00 glass reflector!

Mark