Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Xenon Amperage Range

This is topic Xenon Amperage Range in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 11-09-2012, 02:40 PM:

We have a pair of old Kneisley (Kni-Tron) 500w lamphouses, and are curious about the allowable amperage for the lamps. The instructions we have tell us that 28 amps is the absolute highest, but nowhere can we find there, or with the online lamp specs, how much lower it can go without doing damage to either the lamp or lamphouse. One of our lamps is brighter and we'd like to attenuate the current, but not at the expense of any equipment damage. Thank you!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-09-2012, 02:46 PM:

Take 80% of the 28 amps to be the recommended range, but if having new bulbs in both units (Are these the Kneisley "Pups"?) to be the same. No two bulbs will be the same lumen output via the meter, but there is a simple test to do:

1- Strike up both lamphouses and set both lamps to 22 amps.
2- Check reflector focus and other alignments to bulb.
3- Ensure that bulb is in alignment with the lens and aperture. Check for lens if burnt or yellowing - this will definitely cause even light issues.
4- Turn on projectors, switch the dousers between machines and adjust current on one lamphouse to go with the darker lamphouse to get your even field of light.

There are other factors in play like in the steps above before we do the amperage change, but for a quick fix, this is a good start.

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 11-09-2012, 04:00 PM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
(Are these the Kneisley "Pups"?)

I don't believe these are the "Pup". These are the smaller 500w lamphouse that used the integrated bulb/reflector.

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 11-09-2012, 05:06 PM:

Thanks Monte, that sounds like the plan! [thumbsup]

FWIW, the model lampouse is the L-100-3.