Nuarc 3140 bulb life?

[IntegriTees]

So I purchased an extra bulb when I bought the exposure unit over 10 years ago. Now that I'm moving all of my equipment in the next week, I thought I'd switch out the bulb. Is it still good?

Also, I need a source on the yellow tube sleeves or just the yellow cover for my lights in my screen room. Anyone know which is best?

[244]

So I purchased an extra bulb when I bought the exposure unit over 10 years ago. Now that I'm moving all of my equipment in the next week, I thought I'd switch out the bulb. Is it still good?

Also, I need a source on the yellow tube sleeves or just the yellow cover for my lights in my screen room. Anyone know which is best?

the bulb should be fine. Wipe it down with denatured alcohol prior to use

[GaryG]

How about longevity?

When I called to get an estimate on longevity, they can never say.

It seems like a simple program on the integrator could easily keep track of bulb life.

But for some reason it's always a guessing game for the $200+ specialty bulb.
Maybe the bulbs don't all last the same, but seems like it's a pretty sealed environment.
Should be consistent unless small variations in each shops electrical input makes bulb life variable.

[Frog]

Perhaps one could easily time how long a given number of light units takes with a brand new bulb, and then time it monthly to start tracking its degradation.
Then it may be a matter of how much longer it's taking being merely an inconvenience, or getting some real facts about whether the UV output diminishes at a different proportion, and eventually even the same amount of light units, no matter how much longer they take, isn't cutting it any more.
Of course, in a few years, LED's (or something newer and cooler) may render this moot.

[abchung]

How about longevity?

When I called to get an estimate on longevity, they can never say.

It seems like a simple program on the integrator could easily keep track of bulb life.

But for some reason it's always a guessing game for the $200+ specialty bulb.
Maybe the bulbs don't all last the same, but seems like it's a pretty sealed environment.
Should be consistent unless small variations in each shops electrical input makes bulb life variable.

They can't say because it depends on how you use the bulb. Turning it on and off will reduce the bubl's life.

So when I burn screens, I make sure I burn a bunch of them before turning it off.

[244]

How about longevity?

When I called to get an estimate on longevity, they can never say.

It seems like a simple program on the integrator could easily keep track of bulb life.

But for some reason it's always a guessing game for the $200+ specialty bulb.
Maybe the bulbs don't all last the same, but seems like it's a pretty sealed environment.
Should be consistent unless small variations in each shops electrical input makes bulb life variable.

There are too many variables to properly estimate bulb life. The environment of every shop is different. One suggestion I will give. Double check the voltage to make sure your tap settings are correct for the new place.

[mk162]

i've had bulbs that last 6 months and some that go years.  There are also small inconsistencies in the bulbs as well I think.

the best rule of thumb is to always have a spare on hand.

[XG Print]

Mine has been going strong for almost 4 years but I have noticed that it is taking a little longer on exposure in recent months.  Still not a big deal for us though.  Great exposures from a great unit.  As bad as I would like to have a new M&R LED unit its hard for me to justify it when my 3140 is still getting the job done.

[Gilligan]

That's crazy long life.

We got like two years of pretty lame use (small shop), it became very noticeable that it was taking longer.  Heating up the screens so the emulsion was sticking to the glass.

I have two used bulbs as backups now.