Martin 918 lamp errors

[endorphin]

Just a quick question.

 

I have a four 918's in my venue. two have a problem somewhere in the lamp circuits.

They will lamp on fine and run for 5 minuets then the lamps turn off. all other functions of the unit still run and operates. after the 8 minuet cool down cycle the lamp can be re struck?! The process then repeats itself. The units both show No error codes??

 

The lamp led lights when the lamp is struck, The tapings on the ballast and transformer are all correct and match those of the other two units. I have also tried running them with the case off to see if it was a temperature issue but this has made no difference. The units are also being bench tested with no DMX input.

 

Would appreciate any pointers. I have contacted martin but they are/were suffering a power cut so I am awaiting a return call.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Edd

Technical manager

Re:generation church

[smalljoshua]

Have you tried new lamps? It sounds like the lamps are reaching the end or their lives.

 

Josh

[KevinE]

I agree it's probably the lamps, if you've got 4 and only 2 are faulty then swap the lamps to prove the point to avoid any unnecessary expense.

 

Dont allow them to cycle all night because this can cause the lamps to explode.

[RLP]

The problem is the fans that cools the lamps.

 

If they dont work the lamp overheats and the fixture shuts it off.

 

So get some new fans and you are up and running again.

 

Kind regards

 

Henrik Sorensen

Roskilde Light Production

[law99]

As I'm presuming the units are fairly old, assuming the fans are working and clear, the unit is clean and not covered in large dust / fluff deposits everywhere that the thermal cut-off fuse might need replacing. These tend to go over time and its a simple case of changing them (assuming they have them, but I beleive most if not all modern Martin fixtures have them).

 

As these units dont have a lamp hour counter have a look at the lamp, it might need replacing as said. If you need some help PM me as I'm in London alot with work.