yodominic Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Guys, I recently bought 2 Robe 575 xt washes and 2 * 575 xt spots. These were from an install so I have cleaned them and greased them and they look very decent with minimal noise. They came with correct used Philips lamps but the brightness is not what I expected from something that's 575 watts. I have an old pair of Acme Spot queens and these are only 150 and they are brighter than these. Has anyone got any ideas? I have spent quite a bit of money to purchase and clean them but not happy with the output at the moment, I don't want to spend any more money without isolating the issue Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 How much use have the lamps had? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yodominic Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 How much use have the lamps had? I haven't checked the exact hours on the lamp usage, but does the lights give the exact usage reading? can the usage be reset on the lights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyro_gearloose Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 You're going to need some new lamps for them at some point in the future anyway, so why not buy some now and try them to see if they are significantly brighter. Do a side-by-side comparison of one new lamp and one old lamp. Any difference will soon show up. As for resetting the lamp-hour counter, there wouldn't be much point having one if it couldn't be reset! However they may not have been reset the last time the lamps were changed, so may not tell you the exact lamp usage anyway. I know you said you don't want to spend any more money on your lamps, but I think the best way forward is to buy at least one new lamp and compare brightnesses. Edit : One other thing to check is the lamp alignment. If the lamp isn't exactly lined up within the reflector you will get less light output. I haven't used Robe 575s, but on Mac 500s whenever I've replaced a lamp I check/reset the lamp alignment. The Robe manuals should tell you how to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yodominic Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 You're going to need some new lamps for them at some point in the future anyway, so why not buy some now and try them to see if they are significantly brighter. Do a side-by-side comparison of one new lamp and one old lamp. Any difference will soon show up. As for resetting the lamp-hour counter, there wouldn't be much point having one if it couldn't be reset! However they may not have been reset the last time the lamps were changed, so may not tell you the exact lamp usage anyway. I know you said you don't want to spend any more money on your lamps, but I think the best way forward is to buy at least one new lamp and compare brightnesses. Edit : One other thing to check is the lamp alignment. If the lamp isn't exactly lined up within the reflector you will get less light output. I haven't used Robe 575s, but on Mac 500s whenever I've replaced a lamp I check/reset the lamp alignment. The Robe manuals should tell you how to do this. I checked the lamp prices and they are about £90 so will spend on 1 to see the difference before buying more. Many Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Adam Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I've got a bunch of these and find the output to be pretty decent, but do notice a huge difference with a worn out lamp. I know they need replaced when they struggle to punch through my Mac 250 washes. (and with the counter of course)As you just bought these second hand, if you need the manual, I have a PDF, or it's on the website. PM me if you need it though. Apart from that, if you think they still aren't performing, speak to Robe. Their service in the UK is great now as more and more people stock them in the hire kit. I'm looking at new movers this year and it's likely to be Robe for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niclights Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Usually it's easy to see if lamps are old. Very cloudy/greying/blackening of the envelope are typical. Lamp alignment is critical. You can easily reduce to 50% or less when incorrect, good lamp or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yodominic Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Thanks guys for all useful info I just printed the user manual will try and concentrate on lamp adjustment, life, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobOwen Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Also, don't underestimate the difference a small amount of dust in the optical path can make. If out of focus lenses get a coating of dust you will get the same effect as a dimmer blade, and the dust will not image just reduce the output! You would not believe what difference a well aligned, clean, newly lamped fixture can make. I've seen old dirty 700s being completely anailated by new 250s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJones Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 If I remember correctly, you HAVE to reset the lamp hours after replacement or a certain amount of time, other wise the unit just shows an error and fails to strike? I might be way off here, But I seem to remember something along these lines with 4 units I work with. HTH AndyJones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Also, don't underestimate the difference a small amount of dust in the optical path can make. Amen to that, especially where haze fluid is involved! If the previous venue has been particularly hazy then the chances are the lenses are covered in the stuff and it's stuck loads of dust to them. Remember that even if you can't get to the lens, the fans will have sucked the fluid inside the casing. It gets everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenalien Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 The lamps in these units have a life of around 750 - 1000 hours depending on make. In a typical club environment where they're being used 30 hours a week, that's new lamps every 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobOwen Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 If I remember correctly, you HAVE to reset the lamp hours after replacement or a certain amount of time, other wise the unit just shows an error and fails to strike? I might be way off here, But I seem to remember something along these lines with 4 units I work with. HTH AndyJones I think Martin had a system that would cause a service lamp to light if the fixture went too far over its hours. I don't think it caused it not to strike, but someone else may be able to confirm this properly. It would be a very good idea for the fixture to not actually strike when the hours went to the absolute max, as an exploding lamp above a punters head in a club is much worse than the inconvience of it not striking due to forgetting to reset the clock. All too often in a club the owners have no idea how many hours the fixtures have done and so it tends to be when the lamp goes bang that someone takes notice. This is why I think RDM will be hugely useful to clubs, if software warned them of the hours so the lamp can be changed in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I've found the Robe lenses very susceptible to ingress of smoke fluid and general glit, they be disassembled and cleaned with moist cloth and polished with a yellow duster (remembering to reassemble the lens glasses the correct way round!). I agree it does make an amazing difference...ditto the lamp alignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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