Lamp start Design Spot 250 Pro

achimMember

Hello there,

I have an issue with DS250Pro and its lamp start process.

I´ve bought 4 DS Spots at one time and equipped with Sylvania 250/2 MSD Lamps.

Is ist possible (normal), that the fixtures doesn´t start the lamps not at the same time?
Two fixtures work very well (direct start), on does it 10 mins later and the forth one didn´t start the lamp after one hour.

Somebody who has also such an issue, or is it usual, that the lamp start has a little bit to do with luck?

I´m not sure if I should return the fixtures to the dealer, because they are brand new and now I not sure, if they are
really "professional" when new fixtures have an issue with starting the lamp. Don´t want to be frightened every time if
they are starting or not.

Perhaps they don´t like the Sylvanias, even if my local dealer provided them together with the fixtures.

Greetings from Germany and excuses for my (bad) english. ;-)

Achim

9/28/085:44 AM

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elationproMember

Achim,

I'm glad you said you are from Germany. because in the US we load them with Philips lamps.. However I don't think the brand of the lamp is an issue, rather than how you have them connected.

I believe its a power issue. Since each fixture draws 5 amps and if you plug them all to one circuit. there is not enough amperage to strike all lamps at the same time. For Best lamp strike performance you can only have 2 to a 20 amp circuit of which I am thinking 120v circuit.

1.. try connecting them to different power, and power one up at a time. Wait 1 minute before powering up the 2nd one, then 1 minute before powering up the 3rd one.

Do they strike right away? If they do, then its a power phase issue.. not a light issue.

9/29/089:37 AM

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bdunardMember

John,

If I read the amperage specs correct shouldn't one be able to run 4 Design Spots on a single 20 amp circuit? Is it better to individually power them up one at a time?

1/21/0912:52 AM

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serraavaMember

If you struck all 4 DS250s at the same time on a 20 amp circuit, chances are it will trip or one or more lights won't fire up.

When lamps are struck, they draw a lot more juice then when lit. The reason for this is it takes a lot of voltage to bridge the gap and create an arc. Once the arc is connected however, it doesn't take much voltage to maintain the arc then.

1/22/0912:50 AM

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bdunardMember

Is it better to have the fixtures set so that you strike the lamp from DMX? Or do you just let the lamps strike when plugging them in? Is there a benefit to one over the other if you are setting up a show for one night and taking it down the same night? Just curious.

1/22/099:25 AM

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serraavaMember

Its a preference thing. I prefer to strike when the fixture sees DMX or strike via DMX. This way, the lamps are wasting lamp life by being on when I can even use them because of no console, or I am away from the console and just leave the rig on.

1/22/091:03 PM

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bdunardMember

I will have four on one 20 amp circuit. Is there a way to strike them individually if I have them set up on the same page in CompuLive?

1/22/091:36 PM

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elationproMember

create a lamp on scene switch or cycle.
using a scene or switch you can use easy step to make this happen. If you use a cycle you will need to have 4 scene made.

Best regards,

1/22/092:00 PM

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bdunardMember

Could I just set a lamp delay time of 1 for fixture 1, 2 for fixture 2, 3 for fixture 3, and 4 for fixture 4? I am assuming that once I hit lamp strike (or is it dmx) they will come on with one minute in between each. Am I misinterpreting this?

1/22/092:21 PM

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Jingles8302Admin

i was just about to suggest what Elation Pro said. Make a scene using easy step and have a wait time of about 1 min or so in between each step of the lamp strike. You know how to use easy step and create multiple steps in one scene correct?
Sincerely,

1/22/092:22 PM

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bdunardMember

Yeah I am assuming I would make a cycle that wouldn't loop. First step program the dmx to strike fixture 1, step two program fixture 2 to strike and so forth. I wonder if the other way I suggested would work? I only have one fixture at this point because I am debating on how many fixtures to get.

1/22/092:33 PM

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elationproMember

Anyway you can set a delay will work.. the delay only needs to be about 20 – 30 seconds.

1/22/093:37 PM

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bdunardMember

I have been changing the delay number from 01 to 03 and it always seems to come on within about 20 seconds after I hit "lamp strike" in Compu. Do the number in the delay refer to minutes? If so, is there something else that I might not have set right that causes the lamp to strike at the same time no matter what delay time I have set.

1/22/097:35 PM

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Jingles8302Admin

Is the 01- 03 on the fixture itself or is that your time in compu?
Sincerely,

1/22/0911:36 PM

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bdunardMember

It's on the fixture itself.

1/23/0911:13 AM

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Jingles8302Admin

ok then. it should say in the manual what those numbers refer too then. but if you do it on compu live i think that will work easier. so i would adjust the settings on the fixture itself to lamp strike with a dmx command. If u want i can dig around the manual and get bck to you? Let me know.
Sincerely,

1/23/0911:23 AM

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bdunardMember

I didn't see anywhere in the manual as to what the numbers actually refer to in time.

1/23/0911:33 AM

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Jingles8302Admin

from the manual: "8.3.5 Lamp Off No DMX
When engaged, this function will automatically switch the lamp “off” when the fixture
loses a DMX signal. The function can be set with a delay time of 1 ~ 19 minutes."
Sincerely,

1/23/0911:41 AM

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bdunardMember

I need "lamp-on" delay not lamp off.

1/23/0911:47 AM

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Jingles8302Admin

wait your right i didnt see any time in there for that either just the one above i found.
Sincerely,

1/23/0912:09 PM

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