MSP 3140 advice

[RonH]

SI, if you will call or email me with your serial number I can get you the correct wiring diagram for your unit and answer any other questions you might have on the your MSP3140.

Ron Hopkins
NuArc Sales Mgr
M&R Sales and Service Co.
ron.hopkins@mrprint.com
847-997-2487

[jsheridan]

So as for the testing.  Ran the unit for 1 minute and checked the line voltage, 120V even, wires were on the 125V tap.  moved to the 120V tap.  Noticed the LTU were moving much faster.  Did a full 81 LTU test.  Prior results on the 125V tap was 9:20.    New results moved to the 120V tap at 81 LTU is 6:54. 

Boom!

that time sounds about for a 120 line. I've always had it on 230 which gave me the 5ish minute exposure.

[SI]

Well I exposed two screens today at 81 ltu after the voltage change. Exposure time was 6:40. But both screens were underexposed. So while the ltu seems to be going faster, I think the screen still needs to be exposed for 90 minutes. Going to order a new lamp from m&r

[ABuffington]

New bulb for sure, start any calibration with a factory bulb from M&R.  That way you know that variable is starting from the optimum point.  Set taps correctly first.
I believe you can set the LTU to Seconds on your control panel.  Ron?
1 ltu = 1 sec.  this way downline you can run off a 60 ltu test to see if it equals one minute.  When the times start getting to 50% more like 90 sec = 60 ltu its time to replace the bulb. 
John is right on the taps, you need to have it tapped to your voltage to get strong light.

Al

[244]

Well I exposed two screens today at 81 ltu after the voltage change. Exposure time was 6:40. But both screens were underexposed. So while the ltu seems to be going faster, I think the screen still needs to be exposed for 90 minutes. Going to order a new lamp from m&r

I think you are saying 9 minutes correct? typically with a new bulb ltu and seconds are pretty close to the same.

[Rockers]

Do the LTU count down very slowly?
I have this in winter. Our new screen room is very cold inside, and upon start up of the exposure unit the LTUs count down very slowly until the lamp reaches it full temperature. I assume there has to be a connection between low temperatures and UV output of the bulb. On our LED unit it`s even worse as they don`t get warm really. Have to bring in a big stove first to heat up the screen room, once that`s done there are no issues with either of my units. So I guess if you notice the LTUs counting down very slowly you have to change the bulb as I don`t expect your screen room to be as cold as ours. It`s very likey an old bulb issue.

[SI]

exposure unit is in a heated space so it's not a temperature thing.  The LTU is about 1 LTU per 6-7 seconds.  so slightly faster than .1 LTU per second.  I could take a video but I think at this point it just needs a new lamp.  Ill get around to it, still a small time shop so it has to work its way down the priority list.  Definitely on the to do list once business picks back up

[Rockers]

7 seconds per LTU is indeed very slow.

[SI]

Update:

   Well I finally got around to ordering a new lamp for it.  Just did a test on the old lamp before removing it.  85 LTU at just over 9 minutes.

New lamp from M&R, 85 LTU in 3:52.  Definite improvement.  while I had it apart I did some preventive maintenance on it as well, double win!

[SI]

The new lamp as of March 5th was exposing 90 LTU right at 5 minutes.  I haven't really been timing it but a few days ago i noticed it seemed to be taking longer than normal.  Today I timed it and it is now back over 9 minutes.  Lamp is one month old with around 200 cycles on it and no better than where i started.  They shouldn't be losing this much efficiency this fast should they?

   I am thinking there is something else wrong with the exposure unit causing the lamps to wear faster than normal. 

[244]

The new lamp as of March 5th was exposing 90 LTU right at 5 minutes.  I haven't really been timing it but a few days ago i noticed it seemed to be taking longer than normal.  Today I timed it and it is now back over 9 minutes.  Lamp is one month old with around 200 cycles on it and no better than where i started.  They shouldn't be losing this much efficiency this fast should they?

   I am thinking there is something else wrong with the exposure unit causing the lamps to wear faster than normal.

There is definitely something wrong but without seeing the unit this will be next to impossible to diagnose. First ther should of been around 90 LTU in about 100 seconds with a new bulb. That says something is not right. Could be the actual power into the unit being too low or too high. I don't know where you are but I would suggest someone from M&R see your installation and check out the machine.. You might want to schedule a service call