si_cole Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hi I have a number of PAR 64 long nose cans. I am having a problem with the ceramic lampholders corroding on the terminals and therefore rendering the lantern inoperable until the lamp holder is changed and the connections made good. When not in use, the lamps are all housed in flightcases with silica gel so no problem about moisture there. Has anyone else seen this, knows what causes it and where I can get these ceramic lampholders from for a decent price? ThanksSi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crudge Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 about 18 months ago we had a pat test and all of our parcans were failing becasue the old ceramics were no longer deemed appropriate plus they were 20 years old. we swapped to Par-safes from Stage Electrics for about £4-6 each I think. Costly, but they are then up to date and last a while plus meet all guidlines. All I can think is its an age thing, but I've not seen it before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Not seen that but I did see some one leave a can on over a weekend. I came in on the monday afternoon switched the can off went to see what lamp was in it and watched the ceramic crumble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiLL Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 I've had to swap a couple out before, age seemed to have crept up on them, plus extensive use I first got some rather dodgy 'rewirable' ones which worked fine until you tried to turn the bubble and inadvertently put a finger on each screw terminal on the ceramic and zzZZAP! I would reccommend par safes in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktaylor Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 How about these? http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...2005-44,RNWE:en Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colydog Posted April 30, 2006 Share Posted April 30, 2006 Hi I have a number of PAR 64 long nose cans. I am having........Si A common cause of excess corosion in Par wiring sets is connecting and dissconnecting whilst under load. Of course this is something that theoretically should never happen but the first thing we do when a can doesn't come on is go and wiggle the ceramic to make sure it is pressed home. The slight arcing produced causes pitting on the terminals and it's pretty much just a snowball effect from this point on. Although most common in the sprung bearing type terminal, I still believe this to be the better connector. The twin leaf type (2 copper plates that recieve and sandwich the mogul prong), offers the best (greatest surface area) connection from new, but can splay through time and by the forces imposed upon it when focusing. They can also be so tight as to damage a lamp when connecting. A good tip is to 'busk-focus' the beam-shape when rigging and the terminals are cold. Positioning of the O ring to allow freedom of lamp rotation is important also. I wouldn't worry too much about moisture unless you store them outside on brighton pier and they only go out once in a blue moonI do sympathise though. I find any new base on the market a hinderance as plain ceramics become more frowned upon. The 'Parsafe' is bulky and generally a bugger to re-lamp. Amazingly 'Vision' the cheapest professional can's, seem to be the only manufacturer to compensate for this with the thumb-screw rather than the ridged stud on the rear, allowing direct assembly instead of the hinge motion required with the stud. The cheaper 'par-sure' although compact requires millimetre precision with the prongs which is a real frustration when access is awkward or blind and being hard plastic, they do not give the longevity of use of a ceramic as they become quite brittle with heat fluctuation. I would also advise throwing away those thomas leaf sprung rotators. I don't think they are dangerous other than to the people you may kill out of pent-up anger after trying to make one do what it's meant to do. Good luck with whatever route you choose but whatever you do, never take a file or emery paper to the terminals if you decide to service rather than replace. This will only exaggerate the problem. The only real other candidate is lack of heat tranferrence. Low ceiling venues are punishing on Par Can components, primarily the lamp base and internal sections of the wiring set. Fair play to you Too many people just use them till they fall apart or zap someone. Keep your kit clean outside and in. It saves lives and money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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