Biskit Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 In one of our venues, the main houselights are discrete 1000W linear halogen uplighters, one in each of 14 bays around the auditorium, bouncing light off the pale coloured ornate ceiling. In terms of light level and quality, we are very happy with it, and it is sympathetic to the historic surroundings (it is a victorian concert hall). Problem is, the existing fixtures (which are proper indoor uplight units) are getting on for 10 years old now and several are in urgent need of replacement, but we just can't find anything similar! The only solution we have come up with so far is to try using 1000W son-flood units, but these are really outdoor only and not designed as uplighters. Also their light spread is horrible in comparrison with our existing ones. 1000W theatre cyc lanterns are all too bulky and will be an eyesore. We've even tried short nose par cans with a CP95 wide flood lamp, but even these don't give the ultra-wide spread we get from the existing floods. Any ideas? The existing fixtures are made by Thorn, but they don't seem to do anything similar anymore. Cheers,Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I've just had similar problems. I think things like 1k halogens for domestic and commercial use have fallen from favour because they are not considered energy efficient. Is servicing the existing units an option? R7s lamp holders are easy to get (and are cheap) and getting units repainted is not expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lithiumav2010 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I agree Brian.... Replacing with the RX's is an option and again are cheap... I'll definitely ask around and see if any suggestions come up... Tough one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biskit Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Is servicing the existing units an option? R7s lamp holders are easy to get (and are cheap) and getting units repainted is not expensive. The problem with the existing units isn't the lamp holders but rather the (plastic) mounting arms. These have got to the point where (presumably through repeated exposure to the heat) they cannot be tightened up sufficiently anymore, and after a while the lantern body tends to 'droop' back, so it is facing out into the auditorium rather than towards the ceiling. We've tried everything from fibre washers to metal hooks holding the lantern head up, but they really are past their best now! I knew we should have bought a load of spare ones years ago when we had the chance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 How about building something akin to a howie batten? Lots of MR16 birdie lamps either spread along a long recess, or clustered pointed in different angles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Take a problem lamp to a local mnetal fabricators, and ask them to replace the placcy bit with something metallic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musht Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 SON and white Son, or generically high pressure sodium, SON is Philips designation cancome in pretty close to tungsten like colour now. For interior fittings speak to the architectural suppliers, but if you thought theatre lighting was expensive.....: http://www.holophane.co.uk/ http://www.iguzzini.com http://www.pil-uk.com helpful people if not in their line may be able to send you in right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Dimming is not mentioned.If dimming is not required then I would suggest metal halide floods with warm white lamps, 250 watts would be similar in output to 1000 watt halogen.The lamps are cheap and much longer lasting.SON is also worth considering but standard types may be too orange. Flourescents can be dimmed, though not very well at the bottom of the range.Might be worth considering some type of indirect ceiling bounce flourescent ? perhaps with the lamps concealed from direct view by existing features.Roughly 200 watts of flourescent would replace each 1000 watt halogen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biskit Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Hi, Thanks for the replies everyone. I did ommit to mention it, but smooth 0-100% dimming is a definite requirement (hence using Halogens to start with) which I think rules out the discharge and fluorescant ideas. I think the best option is that of looking for someone to make new mounting arms to replace the plastic ones on the existing fixtures. Maybe in a few years, LED might provide an answer, but until then... Thanks again,Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Hi, Thanks for the replies everyone. I did ommit to mention it, but smooth 0-100% dimming is a definite requirement (hence using Halogens to start with) which I think rules out the discharge and fluorescant ideas. I think the best option is that of looking for someone to make new mounting arms to replace the plastic ones on the existing fixtures. Maybe in a few years, LED might provide an answer, but until then... Thanks again,Ben. The need for dimming rules out any common discharge lamp. Flourescent remains a possibility, but may not be the best solution.I would agree that in the near term, repairs of the existing fittings may be the best answer.As you point out LEDs may be the long term solution, but probably not just yet. A lot depends on the expected hours of use. 14, 000 watts is a substantial running expense if regularly used. Considerable capital expenditure could be justified to reduce the energy use, if the lamps are lit for many hours a day.If however only limited use is expected, then the hourly cost is of little importance. If you retain the fittings, it might be an idea to enquire of your supplier as to the future availability of the lamps.Purchase a large stock if future supplies may be problematic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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