Lights dimming when Flash kicks on

[Nation03]

Just got out Volt installed. We’re not printing on it yet, as we’re still moving to the new location. I noticed the lights dim a little when the flash kicks on. I didn’t run it long so I’m not sure if that is something that stops happening as things warm up? We’re on single phase 100 amp sub panel in our garage. Anyone know if the lights should stop flickering as things start to warm up? It’s a 16x18 rapid wave flash. If anyone has any solutions on this that would be great. We’re eventually going to upgrade the service to 200 amps, but I’m not sure that will be a solution to the dimming lights. Not a huge deal, just want to make sure we’re not doing any damage.

Thanks!

[mooseman]

I noticed the lights dim a little when the flash kicks on This is caused by the inrush current on the starting fixture drawing higher demand from the line than the line can deliver starving off other elements on the same line.
what kind of lights do you have.
fluorescent lights require 90 volts minimum to fire up or they will flicker. Also when cold weather cools your building some of the lower cost fluorescents will flicker forever until they warm up. Cheap fluorescent lights (i have some) will not even fire off a quality fluorescent tube because of the way they start. There are many reasons for flickering fluorescents.
Lastly you can see a bunch of youtube info on converting a typical  fluorescent light to LED
If you have incandescent lights and they are flickering call a pro..........

this link may help if you have fluorescents
mooseman

https://www.google.com/search?q=fluorescent+light+flickering&client=opera&hs=LtK&ei=aAY1Ye2oG-ukggfzhp2QCw&oq=fluorescent+light+flickering&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6BwgAEEcQsAM6BwgAELADEEM6CAgAEIAEELEDSgQIQRgAUO8WWMovYJR0aAFwAngAgAGMAogBnQmSAQU5LjEuMZgBAKABAcgBCsABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

[Nation03]

Okay that makes sense. They're all florescent tube lighting right now. If I convert to LED bulbs do you think that would solve the issue?

[mooseman]

I have not converted mine but I did look at the process etc on youtube. I am not that focused on doing that extra work and all in all i just went out and bought better lights for some areas. The typical $18.00 4 footers you get at the box store are generally the crappy ones and do not really have one of those black box ballasts but a cheapy what I think is a capacitor starter thing . If your lights are OK work wise when the Volt unit is not in use then the safe bet is they are just not getting the current they need to start and stay steady state. Just my personal experience. BTY do you  find that your fluorescent lights flicker some in an electrical storm overhead? kind of the same thing when the line current drops off a bit when there is local lightning.

mooseman