Chinese Lights safety? at DVinfo.net

Brian Drysdale · September 14th, 2014, 05:20 AM

Here's a blog on a Chinese light that points out issues found on that light and details that should be checked.

Production Blog: Chinese Fresnels - Are They Any Good?

The article qualifies that there are good lights, but not all lights are made to the same standards.

Paul R Johnson · September 14th, 2014, 06:49 AM

Not bad as a review, but a few points missed. It's not clear where the reviewer was, but here in the UK, they'd fail the PAT before getting further. My own experience is similar.

Firstly - those Blue connectors are not appropriate for use in Europe - they are similar to our CEE types, but not compatible. The two core mains cable needs replacing, and earth bonds checking - most are poorly done, and the bad earth causes the PAT fail. Check that the fibreglass heat shield is actually where it should be.

Remember that the basic sound design gets compromised by poor assembly. The barn door material is also very soft, so they bend very easily. Check that the lenses are properly seated and not over tightened - this is a common cause of fracture.

Remember that lamps should still be 240V types for the UK. Even though we are supposed to be harmonised with Europe, 240V still emerges from most sockets in the UK, and 230V badged lamps are being slightly overrun, and have a lower life span - although, I also suspect that the lamps are packed without anyone wearing gloves were there any burnt finger prints on the glass left inside?

All the ones I have had needed some care and attention before putting into use, but once cables replaced, bonds tightened, and lamp holders adjusted, they've been pretty good.

Just assembled by monkeys who have no idea what they are actually doing.

Brian Drysdale · September 14th, 2014, 06:53 AM

I believe he lives in Finland.

Guy Caplin · September 14th, 2014, 11:33 AM

Also beware of the 'Indian Redheads'. For UK use they need completely rewiring with three core cable, with a proper earth connection. The ceramic lamp seating mounts need replacing as do the bulbs. The types with a dimmer in the on/off switch need the entire dimmer/switch unit replaced. Other than that they are fine.

Dylan Couper · October 15th, 2014, 08:13 AM

I've bought a variety of these over the years of various quality and this guy has far and away the worst I've ever seen. I'd like to know which seller he got them from.

Steven Digges · October 24th, 2014, 07:18 PM

Other than that they are fine?

I will keep using my Lowell kits as I slowly replace the them with LEDS.

Steve

September 14th, 2014, 05:20 AM	#1
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Chinese Lights safety? Here's a blog on a Chinese light that points out issues found on that light and details that should be checked. Production Blog: Chinese Fresnels - Are They Any Good? The article qualifies that there are good lights, but not all lights are made to the same standards.

September 14th, 2014, 06:49 AM	#2
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,015	Re: Chinese Lights safety? Not bad as a review, but a few points missed. It's not clear where the reviewer was, but here in the UK, they'd fail the PAT before getting further. My own experience is similar. Firstly - those Blue connectors are not appropriate for use in Europe - they are similar to our CEE types, but not compatible. The two core mains cable needs replacing, and earth bonds checking - most are poorly done, and the bad earth causes the PAT fail. Check that the fibreglass heat shield is actually where it should be. Remember that the basic sound design gets compromised by poor assembly. The barn door material is also very soft, so they bend very easily. Check that the lenses are properly seated and not over tightened - this is a common cause of fracture. Remember that lamps should still be 240V types for the UK. Even though we are supposed to be harmonised with Europe, 240V still emerges from most sockets in the UK, and 230V badged lamps are being slightly overrun, and have a lower life span - although, I also suspect that the lamps are packed without anyone wearing gloves were there any burnt finger prints on the glass left inside? All the ones I have had needed some care and attention before putting into use, but once cables replaced, bonds tightened, and lamp holders adjusted, they've been pretty good. Just assembled by monkeys who have no idea what they are actually doing.

September 14th, 2014, 06:53 AM	#3
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: Chinese Lights safety? I believe he lives in Finland.

September 14th, 2014, 11:33 AM	#4
Guy Caplin Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Basingstoke UK Posts: 48	Re: Chinese Lights safety? Also beware of the 'Indian Redheads'. For UK use they need completely rewiring with three core cable, with a proper earth connection. The ceramic lamp seating mounts need replacing as do the bulbs. The types with a dimmer in the on/off switch need the entire dimmer/switch unit replaced. Other than that they are fine.

October 15th, 2014, 08:13 AM	#5
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Re: Chinese Lights safety? I've bought a variety of these over the years of various quality and this guy has far and away the worst I've ever seen. I'd like to know which seller he got them from. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 24th, 2014, 07:18 PM	#6
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Re: Chinese Lights safety? Other than that they are fine? I will keep using my Lowell kits as I slowly replace the them with LEDS. Steve __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!