Cold light buzzing noise

MarkL

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I bought a used Zone VI single tube cold light with stabilizer on eBay. When plugged in the light is bright and constant but it buzzes fairly loudly, which I assume is a transformer inside. The seller said it was fine before shipping. Does anyone know if it is fixable or what options I have? I don't want to listen to that annoying noise while printing.

Mark
 

jeroldharter

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You might have to let it warm up. Turn it on for ~15 minutes before you plan to use it to see if it settles down. Also, buzz = vibration.
 

Andrew Moxom

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It's normal for cold lights to buzz during start up. It's the same with some flourescent bulbs starting up cold. That said, some cold lights have a warming feature that will warm the bulb up so you don;t have to wait too long for it to reach operating temperature. I have an Aristo cold light head that has a seperate plug for the warmup.
 

JMcLaug351

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Mark, If you are using the Zone VI comensating timer be sure the "Lamp" control button is turned to Maximum.
JOHN
 

Nicholas Lindan

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If the buzzing wont go away you may want to open it up and make sure the screws holding the transformer/ballast haven't loosened in shipping. Ballasts will buzz as they get old and the iron delaminates and the coil loosens.
 
OP
OP

MarkL

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Ok, had a chance to look inside the head. All nuts are tight so not sure what is vibrating - nothing fixable by me anyway. I also left it and the warmup plugged in for 10 minutes and the buzzing didn't diminish. I am testing by plugging them in directly to wall outlet, not through a timer or the stabilizer.

I've had 2 other cold lights and they have always been completely silent no matter first turned on cold or when warm. I could sure do without the buzz when focusing and enlarging. Am I out of luck with this used cold light?

Thanks,
Mark
 
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