Cheap lamps making noise?

Tim Joy

Tim Joy

Veteran
I picked up a used 1K Fresnel and had to buy a lamp (EGT), so cheapo that I am, I got the $9 Donar- never-heard-of-brand, and the light has a pretty loud whining noise. I think it's too loud to be acceptable if I had it in the same room I was shooting.

You think it's just the lamp, or could it be something else? Anything I could try to fix it?
 
No dimmer, plugged into the wall, only one on the circuit, and we have good clean power up here in vermont.

I bought two of the same bulbs, and tried the second. It seems to be quieter, but still the same noise.
 
Thats pretty incredible with just a regular tungsten bulb. Must be defective and I would see if I could return it.
 
yeehaanow said:
No dimmer, plugged into the wall, only one on the circuit, and we have good clean power up here in vermont.

I bought two of the same bulbs, and tried the second. It seems to be quieter, but still the same noise.
Click to expand...


There might be something drawing from the same circuit that is causing an odd voltage issue. What you're describing sounds like a vibrating filament (as mentioned already) and sometimes certain electronic devices cause "issues" with voltage on the same circuit.

If you're sure there's nothing else on the circuit you're powering the lamp with, my guess is the globe is crap. Maybe also check the AC frequency if you have a meter.

.
 
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I have an old Kobold tungsten lamp (800W) that makes kind of a humming noise because the contacts to the buld are worn out. The electrical contact is very bad and it seems to produce sparks (the contacts on the bulb always turn black after a while).
 
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