Do you remove bulbs from flo fixtures?

[Brad Neal]

Before placing the fixtures in the case, I noticed when I fold up the barndoors on my Cool Lights CL-455P, that the doors rest on the release button for the bulbs. We'll a couple of days ago I forgot about that, and when I mounted the fixture to the stand and opened up the barndoors, all four bulbs came crashing to the floor. The bulbs are now resting quietly at the bottom of the dumpster out back.

According to Richard at Cool Lights, the bulbs should be removed from the fixture prior to storing in the case.

This is probably common sense knowledge to most people, but I wasn't aware of it until it cost me $100 to replace the bulbs.

Anyway, just a heads up for those of you working with the CL's

-Brad

 

[Bassman2003]

Sorry to hear about your experience Brad.

I have the 4 bank studio Flo from Coolights and have never taken the bulbs out for travel. The barn doors do not touch the releases. Maybe I have a different model. I put the smaller side doors in first and larger doors over them.

I did break a bulb changing one time, which makes me not want to take them in and out very often.

 

[Brad Neal]

Hi Bassman,
Yea, we must have different fixtures, as mine don't have any side doors. Only top and bottom.

I was looking at them today and think I can come up with a stop that will prevent the doors from releasing the bulbs.

I'm sure the bulbs are better off in their on cases, but there is not room for the extra box in the nylon cases for the cool lights, so it's off to the mod bench...

-Brad

 

[Barry_Green]

This is probably common sense knowledge to most people, but I wasn't aware of it until it cost me $100 to replace the bulbs.

Well, no, frankly it isn't. I've got CaseLites and Scandles and used Divas and other Kinos, been on many shoots with 10-ton trucks and dozens of fluorescent fixtures involved, and I've never ever had to remove the lamps before transporting the units, nor have I ever seen any gaffer or anyone in the electrical department remove lamps before transporting. Not saying that it wouldn't be safer, but it's certainly not necessary and it's not common practice.

If you were using the CL-655, then maybe. But the 655P is supposed to be the portable model. I'm very surprised that the lamps fell out on you; in my opinion that's just not a good design for a portable model.

According to Richard at Cool Lights, the bulbs should be removed from the fixture prior to storing in the case.

In Richard's defense, the owner's manual for the CL655 does indeed say to remove the lamps before transport. It says:

Note: keep the CL-BC2 for use when transporting the tubes to your film and video locations as its not a good idea to carry the fixtures for a long period of time with the bulbs inserted in them[FONT=Arial,Italic]—[/FONT]especially when there is risk of a [FONT=Arial,Italic]“[/FONT]bumpy[FONT=Arial,Italic]” [/FONT]ride along the route.

​

​

 

[Huy Vu]

Weird, I have the 455P and that's never been a problem.

 

[Joe Calabrese]

How many software programmers does it take to change a lightbulb?

None, it's hardware.


Sorry, couldn't resist. :thumbsup:

 

[Brad Neal]

Weird, I have the 455P and that's never been a problem.

I think the problem is that the nylon case will hold 2 of the filxtures, but it's a pretty snug fit. When stacking one on top of the other and zipping the case closed, I think the down-force on the barn doors are pushing the release button in.

Once I get the truck unloaded and setup back in the studio, I'll post some pictures.

 

[cheezweezl]

How many software programmers does it take to change a lightbulb?

None, it's hardware.


Sorry, couldn't resist. :thumbsup:

How many first-time directors does it take to change a lightbulb?

I don't know, what do you think?

 

[G.P.]

am I the only one who realizes that this whole conversation shouldn't even be in this area to begin with? this has nothing to do with the HPX500.

I don't mean to sound di*kish but don't you think this should be moved to a different location? we move things that are semi related to the hpx500 to other locations still, but this really has no right to be here at all.

Please take note admins.

 

[Joe Calabrese]

How many first-time directors does it take to change a lightbulb?

I don't know, what do you think?

That's something I definitely love to see. rogar-BigGrin(DBG)

 

[heavyG]

I have 20 years of Tv / Film production - starting from the lowliest PA loading and unloading gear, right up to line producer and now indy producer...

None of the supply houses here would ever send out any Kino fixture with the tubes in the fixture. No Gaffer worth his pay would ever send the Kino fixtures back to the truck with the tubes in the fixture.
If the fixture went back to Whites / Panny / P.S. with the tubes installed the producer and Gaffer would get a call...
So where I've worked (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok) the tubes are always removed.

Now that I have my own gear (even some of Richard's Cool Lights) the tubes always come out for travel and storage.

G.