As Arri 650w Fresnel Question

Hisho

Hisho

New member
hello everyone
i just got As Arri 650w and done a quick test
then i bought a few different Watt out put from OSROM
and i heared a warning from a friend that the As Arri Fresnel will blow up at me and my crew at any time
so i am worried and i can't buy a new original Arri Fresnel at the moment
----
i will use it i will on very minimum use ,
" like one or 2 sessions per month for my own non profit work so there could be months also it will never light at all "
so if any one have info or experience with these Chinese copies
please tell me
-----
1- how much should i be worried ?
2 - is there an average use or something that will explode at ??
3- how much danger and how much loud it could be ? " could it be a scary to crew and actors ? "
4 - is there any tips to avoid it , or even help make it happen later ?

thank You
 
Worry not. Your friend is just trying to scare you. There is nothing on the as-Arri that can blow up. What can happen that you should be concerned about is electrocution or fire. But this also can easily be taken care of.

- Wiring inside the unit should have high temperature insulation that is protected by a braided sleeve. This is to prevent the insulation from melting and causing a short. Run the light for a while and then look to see if the wiring remains sound.
- Wiring at the switch may not be well done. It could come loose and someone may accidentally come in contact with a hot wire. Take the switch assembly apart and check that the wires are solidy connected.

Some of the as-Arri are made very well and have no issues. Others are not made as well and may have these issues.
 
Nahh....

The only thing that DOES happen is that the bulbs can burn out fairly suddenly.
They don't last a very long time to start with, and they are a bit fragile.
Rule number 1 is DO NOT handle the bulbs with your bare hands - they must not get any oils on them, nor other dirt or particles.
Also - those bulbs will last a lot longer if you use a dimmer and always turn them on and off slowly using the dimmer to bring them up to full S-L-O-W-L-Y and slowly back down again when powering them off.
 
In theory the fresnel lens could actually shatter+explode because of the heat, but it would have to be a really s*%tty one for it to do so. Leave it on for a few hours and if it survives that it should be OK.

(I have a 4-lights as-Arri set, btw; I use it even less than what you said -that's why it is "as Arri"- but no problems so far)
 
I've only heard of the Fresnel lens cracking on 1000W and 2000W models which are much hotter. I've used mine extensively for almost 3 years with no issues for up to 8hrs continuously. The main issues are incorrect wiring (get checked by an electrician) and the latest one I bought had inferior braided 'spaghetti' heat protection on the internal wires that I replaced. The cords and plugs in particular are substandard by Australian requirements so I've replaced them too.
 
I had a Arri 2k switch short and melt on me so there are stories about every light out there. You need to know enough to make sure everything is grounded and how to know when something isn't safe. Get the set lighting technicians manual and the black and Decker stuff on basic home wiring.
 
thank You very much everyone for Your help
i do know few basics like how to change bulb with gloves etc
but i can not be a wiring guy to check anything or even judge by manual " which i do not have "
i also do not know an engineer or expert to look for wiring " all i know is few technicians "
and as an extra fear , i think i will use it with only a 500w bulb or even the 300w when i can to avoid extra heat or extra pressure of the 650w bulbs i have
and as far as i understood i can work with it and do not have to panic and run at once and buy new original fresnel b4 even use the one came with it , any extra input will be very kind from You
thank You again
 
Hisho said:
@Patryk_Rebisz
oh sorry to hear that
can You tell me how loud or scary it was ?
and was there any thing You can tell me about it to take care of it ?
Click to expand...

You have NOTHING to worry about. Bulbs sometimes burn out, sometimes they blow up - worst that's gonna happen your lens will crack. Those Chinese knockoffs under-perform in my opinion (knob wear out, lenses crack), but i shoot often so i want to have a light that works often. In your situation, it seems you gonna be fine.
 
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