You can fix a Smitch Victor Light - FYI

[StillGuerrillaFilms]

Hi there,

I don't know where this thread should be but this seems to be the most reasonable place.

A while ago I bought a Smith Victor 3 light softbox kit (this one: http://www.markertek.com/Lighting-Background-Effects/Lights-Light-Kits/Smith-Victor/KSB-1250.xhtml) and LOVE it. But on my last trip (flew Southwest), I had the light fixtures in a Porta Brace case and packed in the middle of a large luggage surrounded by clothing. When I got home, the ceramic surround on the light socket was broken into pieces. I wrote Smith Victor asking them if there was a replacement part for the light socket. They told me no and that I would have to pay $100 for a whole new light fixture.

Yeah I'm sure they wouldn't make loot off of the part so that's probably why they don't carry it but they also told me it couldn't be fixed period. I found that to be simply untrue. The socket itself is a 660w 250v Edison base socket. I just noticed at the base of the fixture (at the chord) there is a black plastic clamp thing that holds the chord so the socket can be pulled tight to the metal plate. I saw a little slot in it. I stuck a flat head screw driver in the slot and turned. A little screw in plug came out and I was then able to easily slide the chord forward so I can have access to the screws under the socket that holds the chord on. So now I can replace the broken light socket with a new one, then tighten up the chord.

 

[StillGuerrillaFilms]

I finally got around to fixing this thing. The new light socket was about $5-6 from Lowes. The socket has like a metal plate thing behind it when you buy it. Remove that. I actually ending up using that part to elevate my DVX100B on the DIY $45 slider (I saw in this forum). Anyway, the photos include the broken socket (still attached). I marked it with green gaf tape so I would know where the wire would go on the new socket. I bought the new socket from Lowes. Actually only one of the sockets they sell works so there is no messing up. Take the broken one with you, if you want to compare (and don't forget the one you want has a metal part on the back you will have to remove).

Once you have the broken socket off, keep the screws! The screws on the new socket are too small. You will have to find a chick or a kid with small hands to get those little ceramic washers off those little things too! Screw you wires on the same way they were on the broken one (hence why I taped the wire before hand). Put the old screws from the broken socket in the new socket. Then slowly pull the chord back through the fixture bringing the new socket closer to the base. line up that little insulating circle thing with the holes on the base and the screws on the new socket. Then gently screw one side a little, then the other. Once they are both seated, then you can tighten them as desired. Put the little plug thing back to hold the chord in place and Viola!

It took me about 10-15 minutes to fix.

Cheers

 

[Jim Brennan]

Well done. :thumbsup:

 

[StillGuerrillaFilms]

Thanks! I was just using my fixed light today while shooting my ThrillFest Entry. Glad I fixed it. hahahaha