Tota lamp smoked bad at DVinfo.net

Nick Medrano · August 3rd, 2004, 10:27 PM

Hi folks,
Today I put a 750W lamp in a Lowel Tota and the lamp started smoking real bad. The lamp blackened and started to curve a bit.

This is the first time that I had ever put a lamp in the Tota...it was brand new, and so was the lamp.

Is this normal? Are Tungsten lamps really that flaky?

Also, Can I put anything larger than a 750W in Totas? I noticed that 750 was not that much light...I need more for digital video.

Mike Rehmus · August 3rd, 2004, 10:57 PM

I'm not all that certain but I think 750 is too much for a Tota. DV doesn't need that much light unless you are going to light a very large area or using some sort of reflector or softlight.

Nick Medrano · August 3rd, 2004, 11:01 PM

Yes, I was trying to light interiors of condos and small rooms. Here's a sample: http://www.7thcode.com/inertiatours/bed1.jpg

I had 2 Totas (500w/each) and 1 Omni (600w) and I don't think it was enough light. But, I think I had my ISO screwed up in the camera.....

Ken Tanaka · August 3rd, 2004, 11:18 PM

A 750w lamp is fine for the Tota. But nothing higher. Some folks try to put 1K lamps into it, which can be dangerous.

Some smelly smoke coming off of a new tungsten instrument is normal. It's basically residual manufacturing grease burning off and should subside within a few minutes.

Lamps "blackening" and starting to "curve a bit" is not, however, normal. Make sure the lamp ("bulb") is seated properly and is completely clean. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the glass if necessary to make sure that the glass is absolutely clean. Don't even touch it with your bare fingers, as skin oils can shorten lamp life. And ALWAYS make sure that screen is on the instrument during operation.

Bryan Beasleigh · August 4th, 2004, 12:05 AM

Sounds like you (or someone else)touched the bulb. That has nothing to do with the Tota. The surface temp of the glass envelope gets so hot that any oils from your finger will burn black and create hotspots. Turf the bulb, it'll blow on you.

Two 500 watt lamped bounced on the ceiling will light that room evenly. If you want more light use an HIR 650 watt bulb. The HIR 650 will give the same light as a 1000 watt standard. The max listed is 750, that's what I'm using right now.

ISO? This isn't video then. If it's a still camera it should have metering.

Reid Bailey · August 5th, 2004, 07:21 AM

Agreed that 750 is fine for the tota.
The only adverse problems I had heat wise was a blackening of the protective mesh screen, but big deal. It did little if anything to the light.

The smoking/bending you're talking about almost sounds like the globe itself is shorting out or something. You should be able to run that 750 globe for a long time (relative term) safely.

I'm surprised that 750 wasn't enough light. In my experience they throw a tremedous amount of light for their size, mostly uncontrolled of course. I used one as fill in a fairly large courtroom succesfully. Something just doesn't seem right with your set up.

I just looked at the link for the room and now I'm really puzzled. I'd be surprised if you could run a 750 tota in there without washing everything out. And if I read your post correctly that you were running 1600 watts in there and still didn't have enuf light, I'm really confused.

I would go Bryan's suggestions about the dual 500w bounced. That should do it for you.

August 3rd, 2004, 10:27 PM	#1
Nick Medrano Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 331	Tota lamp smoked bad Hi folks, Today I put a 750W lamp in a Lowel Tota and the lamp started smoking real bad. The lamp blackened and started to curve a bit. This is the first time that I had ever put a lamp in the Tota...it was brand new, and so was the lamp. Is this normal? Are Tungsten lamps really that flaky? Also, Can I put anything larger than a 750W in Totas? I noticed that 750 was not that much light...I need more for digital video.

August 3rd, 2004, 10:57 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I'm not all that certain but I think 750 is too much for a Tota. DV doesn't need that much light unless you are going to light a very large area or using some sort of reflector or softlight. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

August 3rd, 2004, 11:18 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	A 750w lamp is fine for the Tota. But nothing higher. Some folks try to put 1K lamps into it, which can be dangerous. Some smelly smoke coming off of a new tungsten instrument is normal. It's basically residual manufacturing grease burning off and should subside within a few minutes. Lamps "blackening" and starting to "curve a bit" is not, however, normal. Make sure the lamp ("bulb") is seated properly and is completely clean. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the glass if necessary to make sure that the glass is absolutely clean. Don't even touch it with your bare fingers, as skin oils can shorten lamp life. And ALWAYS make sure that screen is on the instrument during operation. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 4th, 2004, 12:05 AM	#5
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Sounds like you (or someone else)touched the bulb. That has nothing to do with the Tota. The surface temp of the glass envelope gets so hot that any oils from your finger will burn black and create hotspots. Turf the bulb, it'll blow on you. Two 500 watt lamped bounced on the ceiling will light that room evenly. If you want more light use an HIR 650 watt bulb. The HIR 650 will give the same light as a 1000 watt standard. The max listed is 750, that's what I'm using right now. ISO? This isn't video then. If it's a still camera it should have metering. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

August 3rd, 2004, 11:01 PM	#3
Nick Medrano Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 331	Yes, I was trying to light interiors of condos and small rooms. Here's a sample: http://www.7thcode.com/inertiatours/bed1.jpg I had 2 Totas (500w/each) and 1 Omni (600w) and I don't think it was enough light. But, I think I had my ISO screwed up in the camera.....

August 5th, 2004, 07:21 AM	#6
Reid Bailey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 220	Agreed that 750 is fine for the tota. The only adverse problems I had heat wise was a blackening of the protective mesh screen, but big deal. It did little if anything to the light. The smoking/bending you're talking about almost sounds like the globe itself is shorting out or something. You should be able to run that 750 globe for a long time (relative term) safely. I'm surprised that 750 wasn't enough light. In my experience they throw a tremedous amount of light for their size, mostly uncontrolled of course. I used one as fill in a fairly large courtroom succesfully. Something just doesn't seem right with your set up. I just looked at the link for the room and now I'm really puzzled. I'd be surprised if you could run a 750 tota in there without washing everything out. And if I read your post correctly that you were running 1600 watts in there and still didn't have enuf light, I'm really confused. I would go Bryan's suggestions about the dual 500w bounced. That should do it for you.