Jamtastic3 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Just wondering guys if anyone has had as many troubles as me with these lamps?It seems that since replacing aging Philips MSD250/2 lamps, I've had some problems with lamps; 2 that have stopped striking after around 100 hours usage, one going black at the end and then failing to strike and another 2 lamps completely taking the fuses out of the moving lights. What should I do now? Find another replacement or go back to buying expensive Phillips lamps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieR Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 First port of call should be back to you supplier. They may replace them as a matter of course or there may be some difference between these and the Phillips ones that have an effect on their use. You do occasionally get bad batches of lamps but any reputable supplier should simply offer a replacement and return the duds to the supplier. Out of interest, how much are you paying for both the Ushio and the Phillips? Steve NB - Just had a look at the specs for both lamps. The Ushio version only has a 2000 hr life as opposed to the Phillips and also draws a fraction more current - if you believe the spec sheets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobOwen Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 We had similar problems when our supplier couldn't supply Philips lamps in time. We sent out Ushios and within two weeks the customer was on the phone asking why three lamps were out. Replaced with Phillips and they were fine. I think we probably had a bad batch as I do know a few users who have had no issues. I would recommend going back to Philips. Edit: oh, and two of the fixtures needed new fuses as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maeterlinck Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I've just relamped our 250's with Ushios - I was told good things about them when I bought them. They've probably only done 50 hours so far but no issues. But at nearly £20 cheaper than the Phillips or Sylvania options... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamtastic3 Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 Update: I was going to post a pic of the dead lamps to see how bad they really look but I can't find my phone cable.... Went in to do some maintenance and found that in total, 5 lamps have blown, all having the same distinctive burn out marks to one another. 3 have been in Technobeams and 2 in Robe scans. I would say that they have done at most, 50 hours but they do look like they've been used for well over 2000 hours!All the lamps were changed at roughly the same time in each unit but I've noticed that the Robes just completely fuse out even if the bulb was perfect the night before. The Technobeams could handle the burn out until the defining strike. Another 5 units have these USD's in them but eveything seems OK at the moment. I never bought the lamps myself, my boss did and of course we were thinking of costs. He got them from a place I only know of as ELC - small booklet nightclubs get that have deals on lamps that you can only phone for. The Ushio lamps are about £20 - £25 cheaper than the Phillips so we thought we'd be alright. My boss isn't impressed of course so he's ringing the guys that he got them from. Any good places to buy replacement 250/2's? ones? The DJ store down the road from me sells the Phillips lamps at nearly £90 each! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Is it possible that the lamps were "fingered" on installation? This could account for the brown marks?Skin grease does lamps no favours... Just a thoughtDavid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamtastic3 Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 I made sure that the lamps were put in without touching them, with the bubble wrap covering them. The centre of the lamps have all blown to a dark, greyish silver finish and more noticably, the lamps have blackened at the top where the small square piece of metal rests near the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylights Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 The DJ store down the road from me sells the Phillips lamps at nearly £90 each! That sounds like a 'normal' retail price. I buy them trade at £47 each (+VAT), with further quantity breaks. CLD Distribution They are very efficient and very helpful. Interestingly the USD250/2 is £38 so not cheap enough to even try them. Regards, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Put simply, discharge lamps are all different, and the differences matter.- Substitutions of lamps with the same 'wattage' rating aren't necessarily the same voltage/current, strike volts, running temperature or arc size/height. Always ask the manufacturer of the fixture which lamps can be put into a given unit, and only use them. Using non-recommended lamps can result in extremely short lamp life, or even damage to the fixture. It's simply not worth it. When you buy the fixture, look at the price, availability and lamp life of the recommended lamps and take that into account! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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