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Why you should replace your lamps even if they still light!

Your lamps gradually lose intensity over time. The gases and the special additives inside the lamp become inert, resulting in longer startup time, while the ultraviolet (UV) output diminishes. This results in longer, inconsistent exposure times.

You may not be aware of the change, because your integrator compensates for the difference. I suggest that you make a weekly test of the number of seconds that correspond to the number of "units" for your standard exposure. This will give you a good idea of how much strength your lamp has lost.

When you first turn on the power to your equipment (cold-strike), it provides a high voltage until the lamp lights. This strains the power supply, the starting circuitry and the quartz (glass) of the lamp. If you allow excessive start time to cold-strike and expose with old lamps, you risk equipment failure and even breakage.

Unreliable and inconsistent lighting causes makeovers and wastes time and materials.

I suggest that you replace your lamp before it burns out and save your old one as a reliable spare. Your new lamp will give you faster exposures, and your equipment will operate at maximum efficiency.

If you have a graphic arts camera or camera/platemaker, replace all the lamps at the same time (most use four). You'll get more even lighting, not to mention saving maintenance time, because when one burns out, the others are likely to follow.

Here are some simple steps you can take to get the most from your investment in new lamps:

• Clean the reflectors to obtain the maximum reflected light and benefit of the higher output
• Use the cotton gloves and alcohol wipes we provide to install new lamps. If you handle them with the gloves, and clean them before use, you'll avoid the oils and other contaminants that can cause premature failure due to the high operating temperatures in your exposing equipment.
• Don't use lamps with bare wire ends. We install the correct connectors to assure you of a proper electrical connection.
• Check for pitting or corrosion of the electrical contacts, which can cause arcing and failure of the lamp or equipment. Tighten or replace the mounting clips and/or springs to make certain that good electrical contact is made.
• When you insert lamps into clips, apply pressure at the ceramic or metal ends, never to the quartz in the middle. The seals at the ends of the lamp are its most delicate and easily damaged parts. If there is a filling tip, make sure it points upwards or to the side, never downward.
• If the light head has a cooling fan, clean the blades, lubricate the motor bearings as needed, and check that the fan is operating properly. The vents must be clean and free of obstruction to allow for maximum ventilation and unrestricted airflow. A cooler lamp lasts longer.