Abstract lighting eating bulbs!

[DJS]

Has anyone else encountered the same problem im having?....
The main part of my lighting rig uses a pair of Abstract Gladiator Rev's and a Twister 4.
The units are all the upgraded (newer) 250w versions.
Im literally replacing the bulbs on them every time i do a gig, and have even had them go halfway through a gig, even after fitting them hours before.

Ive tried switching the power saving mode to low on the rear of the units, which makes them last a little longer, but ive also noticed for the little use they have had, the colours on the gobo wheels has started coming off.

Hmmmm?
Any ideas/similar problems?

Cheers,
Scott.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I've never experienced these problems, but I know there are a couple of members on here who have had problems too, so you're not alone.

[JAMdisco]

Were they bought as upgraded to 250W or was it an post modification.
I would be tempted to either go down to 150W or have a word with the suppliers. See if they have any ideas.

If they are upgraded to 250W as bought, they maybe haven't altered the internals to cope with the extra light & heat.

[CRAZY K]

Has anyone else encountered the same problem im having?....
The main part of my lighting rig uses a pair of Abstract Gladiator Rev's and a Twister 4.
The units are all the upgraded 250w versions.
Im literally replacing the bulbs on them every time i do a gig, and have even had them go halfway through a gig, even after fitting them hours before.

Ive tried switching the power saving mode to low on the rear of the units, which makes them last a little longer, but ive also noticed for the little use they have had, the colours on the gobo wheels has started coming off.

Hmmmm?
Any ideas/similar problems?

Cheers,
Scott.

My old Colour Blade started blowing lamps quickly--the DJ shop fitted a new holder as allegedly the old one was causing the problem.

Might this be the problem on yours?

Odd that they all blow though:eek:

CRAZY K

[BeerFunk]

I had this years ago with the old T4s, Images replaced the lamp holders and the problem was solved! Never had an issue with Abstract lighting other than that, mind you.

[DJS]

I bought them as the 250w versions, so they should work with the specified bulbs. (it says 250w on the side of the casing)
From time to time, i have used the 'Realite' bulbs that Maplins supply, but decided to fit Osram to see if theres any difference in bulb life.
The Osram bulb lasted half a night, and under inspection, the glass on the rear of it had cracked indicating overheating!

The cooling fans all work 100%, and the blades are clean, and as i said previously, they are in a hardly used/nearly new condition.

Scott.

[spin mobile disco]

As already said may be the lamp holders. After reading this I replaced all the lampholders on some of my lights that have been acting up. Ill let you know if it helps me after a few gigs.

[DJS]

When we say 'lamp holders', are we referring to the plug that fits on to the two prongs of the A1-259 bulb, or the actual 'lamp holder'/bracket that holds the lamp in place in the lighting unit?

Cheers,
Scott.

[spin mobile disco]

The plug which the 2 prongs go into. I hope so anyway as thats what I replaced lol. On 6 of my lights.

[DJ James Lake]

Get the spring loaded lamp holders, they cost a little more but vastly increase bulb life as they actually grip the pins on the bulbs and give a much better contact.

[djsteve10]

I use the abstact XP Extreme DJ Range myself and i have to say i had problems with them going through lamps around once a month, I then phoned up abstact and they advised me to run them in black out which will leave the fans running to cool the units down before de-rigging and transportation.

I have also started putting philips long life lamps in all my effects and they have been better-ish but i just think it could be one of abstracts down sides, All else fails take them back to the supplier or to a local Dj show and ask them to have a look at them.

[DJS]

they advised me to run them in black out which will leave the fans running to cool the units down before de-rigging and transportation..

Thats one thing ive always done myself, as the Gladiators came with the hand controller which includes the 'blackout' feature.
Always handy to cool them down before de-rigging to stop you burning your hands too!;)

Scott.

[JAMdisco]

I then phoned up abstact and they advised me to run them in black out which will leave the fans running to cool the units down before de-rigging and transportation.

A very useful tip for all non-LED lighting. Bulbs can get damaged / blow a lot easier when they are hot.

[Ajaysdisco]

If I stating the obvious ignore me!
But, if the venue has a low or high mains voltage this can affect bulb life.

After installing the bulbs did you clean them with mentholated sprit?
Because you don’t know how clean the bulbs are and they are very sensitive to oil from you hands (you don’t know if anyone else has touched it),

Do you give them a chance to cool at the end?, when hot they are very sensitive to vibration from either de rigging or someone banging the bar.

Do they have a duty cycle, eg 1 hour on 15 minuets off?

Are they the right voltage, eg 12v or 24V?

And finally a dodgy bulb holder and cause spikes and could damage the bulb

[HaiFai]

Had the same problem with my futurescan 1ce's when I first bought them 1 went as yours do through a bulb every function, Took them to an abstract dealer who replaced bulb holder had no problems since that was 7yrs ago.
Done some replcements myself on other effects which were starting to do this and that seems to have solved the issue.

[Excalibur]

The experiences I have had suggest replacing the lampholders before anything else. Running them in blackout is an excellent idea.

[djsteve10]

I always run every non Led effect in blackout and leave them up on the stand running until i have finished packing everything else away, Gives them chance to cool down properly then.

[DJS]

Well, on saturday night i had the best and most enjoyable gig to date, but wait for it!......

My Twister 4 bulb died after a whole 20 minutes use!:rolleyes:

..At least the Gladiators lasted out, even though they did seem to go out of sync slightly:confused:

Where would i go to get the bulbholders changed, and is it expensive?

Cheers,
Scott.

[Excalibur]

Well, on saturday night i had the best and most enjoyable gig to date, but wait for it!......

My Twister 4 bulb died after a whole 20 minutes use!:rolleyes:

..At least the Gladiators lasted out, even though they did seem to go out of sync slightly:confused:

Where would i go to get the bulbholders changed, and is it expensive?

Cheers,
Scott.

MAPLINS!:eek: :D :D

[CRAZY K]

MAPLINS!:eek: :D :D

Maplins do cheap--but not repairs?

Far as I know.

My Colour Blade effect lamp seems to be lasting after new holder fitted:D

CRAZY K

[HaiFai]

Got my replacements from maplins for 2 twister 4's and a Cyclone did replacement myself-I just snipped off old holder soldered new ones on to exsisting and used a heat resistent plastic to protect and isolate the connections.If you can't do yourself look in a local directory or on the net for an electronics repair firm don't know what charge would be but I would expect £20-30 per hour for labour.

[pdarnett]

I held the record for most amount of lamps consumed by 4 extreme dj abstract effects, 96 lamps in 10months ! the best lamps for them are the GE ones as the are silvered right down to the base, helps with the heat as this is where the lamp fails 9essentially they get so hot the pins fall out, I replaced the lampholders and Abstract replaced the front panels with vented ones which helped.

[Excalibur]

Maplins do cheap--but not repairs?

Far as I know.
A valid point, I was assuming that replacement would not be an insurmountable task.



My Colour Blade effect lamp seems to be lasting after new holder fitted:D

CRAZY K

Told you.:D


Got my replacements from maplins for 2 twister 4's and a Cyclone did replacement myself-I just snipped off old holder soldered new ones on to exsisting and used a heat resistent plastic to protect and isolate the connections.If you can't do yourself look in a local directory or on the net for an electronics repair firm don't know what charge would be but I would expect £20-30 per hour for labour.

There are many suitable ways of doing it, I left the wires long, and joined them with connectors, thus giving a bit more leeway. If you don't have a mate who will do it for a pint, you will be paying that sort of rate. Bear in mind that the wires are not carrying 240volts, but 24, so not as daunting as you might think. I've got to say, don't work on it if it's plugged in!:eek:

[DJS]

Cheers for the replies all:)

I'll be looking to replace the bulbholders then.

Scott.

P.S, anyone got any ideas on setting them up?
I have made another post, but yet no replies.

Thanks;)

[CRAZY K]

A valid point, I was assuming that replacement would not be an insurmountable task.



Told you.:D



There are many suitable ways of doing it, I left the wires long, and joined them with connectors, thus giving a bit more leeway. If you don't have a mate who will do it for a pint, you will be paying that sort of rate. Bear in mind that the wires are not carrying 240volts, but 24, so not as daunting as you might think. I've got to say, don't work on it if it's plugged in!:eek:

Ermmm-told me?:confused:

Told me what?

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Ermmm-told me?:confused:

Told me what?

CRAZY K

To replace the bulb holders, ages ago. If it wasn't you, then sorry. :confused: