NuArc 26-1K startup issue

Hello

I've got a NuArc 26-1K which I bought used. I've put a Ushio MHL-1000/1 bulb in it and it does work. However, it sometimes takes forever to come on! I can wait up to a few minutes before it starts up and the length of time before startup is inconsistent. The only thing I can think of is the bulb takes a while to warm up with current running through it. The fan coming on right away must keep the bulb too cool before it even turns on.
Perhaps I need to get the other bulb directly from Nuarc?

thanks
david

david drake said:

Hello

I've got a NuArc 26-1K which I bought used. I've put a Ushio MHL-1000/1 bulb in it and it does work. However, it sometimes takes forever to come on! I can wait up to a few minutes before it starts up and the length of time before startup is inconsistent. The only thing I can think of is the bulb takes a while to warm up with current running through it. The fan coming on right away must keep the bulb too cool before it even turns on.
Perhaps I need to get the other bulb directly from Nuarc?

thanks
david

Click to expand...

David,

I can not say for sure but there may be another problem. I owned a NuArc 26-1K for a couple of years and used the Ushio MHL-1000/1 bulb and never had a problem with the bulb striking.

Before replacing the bulb or looking into the inside of the NuArc you might want to check the voltage in you line as low voltage would cause a problem with the bulb striking. There are small voltmeters available that will plug directly into a 120 volt outlet. The instrument should read within +/- three volts of 120.

Sandy King

My NuArc (which uses a different bulb than the 26-1k) had sat idle for nearly a year when I bought it. With both the old bulb and the new one I bought, they took a long time to strike the first time. But after a couple hundred unit burn-in, it doesn't have any problem striking.

The bulb won't strike if it's too hot, so you have to wait a certain amount of time between exposures (I think it's like 5 minutes) for the bulb to cool down.

Also, I don't know about the 26-1k, but mine has an adjustment for line voltage. So if you measure your line voltage and it's low, you can switch the tap on the transformer that's appropriate for your line voltage. But first try a dedicated 20 amp outlet (if you have one) or a lower-gauge (=heavy-duty, 12 ga. or 14 ga., as short as possible) extension cord, if you're using one.

Good luck--

Greg

Thanks to Greg and Sandy for your replies.

I have found the culprit! I had been using an extension cord which was not 'heavy duty' enough. Once I plugged the unit directly into the 20 amp dedicated plug, the bulb strikes almost immediately! Hurray!

I hope this doesn't mean the amount of my light units are going to change!?!

cheers
david

david drake said:

I hope this doesn't mean the amount of my light units are going to change!?!

Click to expand...

It could, possibly. A lower-voltage arc across the tube could shift the output spectrum slightly. I actually hate it when people say this, but the only way to know is to test it both ways.

Glad we helped you sort it out.

--Greg