ARRI 650 bulb problem

P

Polaroid22

Well-known member
Hello,

I just bought 2 ARRI 650 plus fresnells secondhand. I wanted to test them so I asked the seller to plug them in, one of them did. The other didnt work, he then replaced the bulb and then it worked. Now I just got home and plugged them in. And the same Arri 650 plus fresnell that was broke before, lighted up for 30 seconds. I tested it out, changed from flood to spot. And suddenly after 30 seconds the bulb died again.
What is going on? Are the bulbs incompatible is there a ARRI defect that I can check?

Thanks!!!
 
Well, tungsten-halogen bulbs are kind of delicate and care is needed in handling them. Because they get so hot they are susceptible to failure if the bulb is not clean. Dirt or, especially, the oil from fingerprints can cause hot spots on the bulb leading to failure. Never touch the bulb with you fingers (Wear gloves). When I first pull a tungsten-halogen bulb out of its box I clean it with rubbing alcohol.

In response to your question, first examine the bulb. Does it look like it burnt out? Foremost, is the filament broken? Is the bulb blackened?

If not, you may want to check the electrical integrity of the lamp itself. First look for broken pieces, loose wires or scorched spots. After that then you may want to have an electrician check the light out.
 
David G. Smith said:
Well, tungsten-halogen bulbs are kind of delicate and care is needed in handling them. Because they get so hot they are susceptible to failure if the bulb is not clean. Dirt or, especially, the oil from fingerprints can cause hot spots on the bulb leading to failure. Never touch the bulb with you fingers (Wear gloves). When I first pull a tungsten-halogen bulb out of its box I clean it with rubbing alcohol.

In response to your question, first examine the bulb. Does it look like it burnt out? Foremost, is the filament broken? Is the bulb blackened?

If not, you may want to check the electrical integrity of the lamp itself. First look for broken pieces, loose wires or scorched spots. After that then you may want to have an electrician check the light out.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the light bulb gave in again(bulb was pretty black). I replaced it and now it is working (placed the new one with leather gloves). (I do not have alcohol right now to clean the bulbs). I checked the wiring and everything seemed to look ok.

- Is it a problem to move the Arri light itself when the light is on? And to change from spot to flood when the light is on?
- Can I use a dimmer on these arris?
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Handling or moving a hot light while it is one is something that you want to do with care, but you can. Changing from spot to flood should not be a problem, if done with care. Yes, you can use a dimmer on these lights.
 
Be aware Arri 650 socket bases are very prone to failure. It is not just Arri it seems that the 650 bases all are sketchy. I alway keep a couple of spares around our shop.
 
Polaroid22 said:
- Is it a problem to move the Arri light itself when the light is on? And to change from spot to flood when the light is on?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Can be moved with the knowledge that a hot fresnel lens can crack easily and a hot bulb can pop - and they do sometimes... very loudly. No probs changing from flood to spot.


Polaroid22 said:
- Can I use a dimmer on these arris?
Click to expand...

Yes, and expect your colour to shift - so be aware of that.
 
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