My tota lamp and new softbox r smokin...normal? at DVinfo.net

David Ruhland · February 9th, 2011, 06:23 PM

I received my Photoflex Silverdome NXT lightbox and connector today. I assembled it and turned it on. IT is smoking out the upper vent. IS this normal until all the newness is burnt off OR is it something i need to be concerned with. I have a 1000 watt bulb in the Tota and the softbox is rated for 2000 watts.

I only have had it on for a total of 10 minutes, but its looking good so far.

Don Bloom · February 9th, 2011, 06:48 PM

do you have 911 on speed dial? ;-) oh, and don't throw water on the electrical fire.

I'm kidding, I' . It cm kidding. Could be the bulb is burning off some oil that got on it. I've had a couple new bulbs that did smoke for a few minutes but once that was done they were fine.

Of course I could be totally wrong and you're calling the fire department as we speak.

O|O
\--/

Oliver Neubert · February 9th, 2011, 06:55 PM

Usually new lights need to burn in the paint of the housing, some bulbs are painted black at the tip, for example bulbs for Dedolights will burn in the paint. if it is the bulb it is over in a couple of seconds, but the housing can take a while. There is some smoke and a burnt smell.
I always leave new lamps running for a couple of hours in a well ventilated area before taking them to a job.

David Ruhland · February 9th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

do you have 911 on speed dial? ;-) oh, and don't throw water on the electrical fire.

I'm kidding, I' . It cm kidding. Could be the bulb is burning off some oil that got on it. I've had a couple new bulbs that did smoke for a few minutes but once that was done they were fine.

Of course I could be totally wrong and you're calling the fire department as we speak.

O|O
\--/

I just put the light outside and pointed it towards Chicago....Should be getting a lil warmer!

Don Bloom · February 9th, 2011, 09:11 PM

I see a bright light coming in from the north of me. Must be you!

I have to learn to spell check before I post.

Jim Andrada · February 9th, 2011, 10:11 PM

Sorry - mis-posted

Kevin Lewis · February 16th, 2011, 04:08 PM

I have purchaased 3 new tota lights within the last 60 days. All 3 smoked a little when I first turned them on. It didnt last long. Also, make sure that the lamp doors are open before turning on the light.

David Ruhland · February 16th, 2011, 08:01 PM

Thank you Kevin..

I put the Totas inside a softbox. The softbox was smoking out the top where the vent is that allows the "chimney effect" air flow cooling.

I discovered that a piece of the inside heat resistent material had bubbled and was smoking. It was a defective light box.

Sent back to supplier.

New replacement is working great...I am VERY happy with my Tota and photoflex NXT softbox.

David Aronson · February 20th, 2011, 10:25 PM

I would strongly sugest NOT using 1k bulbs in tota lights. I have had every piece of plastic in the tota melt on 3 lights and in one case, the tota caught fire (one of our PAs was in a VFD and put it out before it could damage anything). I sent all three back to Lowel and got replacement and the rep on the phone said that it's quite common. The most I use in a tota is 750w

John Rakis · April 1st, 2011, 01:37 PM

I've been using Lowel Tota-lights in Photoflex Silverdome softboxes for several years and have never had a problem. However, I've never used a 1000 watt bulb. Lowell specifies a 750 Watt maximum @ 120 volts for the Tota.

February 9th, 2011, 06:23 PM	#1
David Ruhland Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Madison WI Posts: 340	My tota lamp and new softbox r smokin...normal? I received my Photoflex Silverdome NXT lightbox and connector today. I assembled it and turned it on. IT is smoking out the upper vent. IS this normal until all the newness is burnt off OR is it something i need to be concerned with. I have a 1000 watt bulb in the Tota and the softbox is rated for 2000 watts. I only have had it on for a total of 10 minutes, but its looking good so far. __________________ Vegas 8.0c (Build 260)-(Upgraded to Sony Vegas 10 pro)Canon GL2, Canon HV30, HF200, HF20-Sony UWP Wirelesss Mic Kit, Intel Core 2 CPU-6600@2.40GHz-3.00GB Ram

February 9th, 2011, 06:48 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	do you have 911 on speed dial? ;-) oh, and don't throw water on the electrical fire. I'm kidding, I' . It cm kidding. Could be the bulb is burning off some oil that got on it. I've had a couple new bulbs that did smoke for a few minutes but once that was done they were fine. Of course I could be totally wrong and you're calling the fire department as we speak. O\|O \--/ __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

February 9th, 2011, 09:11 PM	#5
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I see a bright light coming in from the north of me. Must be you! I have to learn to spell check before I post. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

February 16th, 2011, 08:01 PM	#8
David Ruhland Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Madison WI Posts: 340	Thank you Kevin.. I put the Totas inside a softbox. The softbox was smoking out the top where the vent is that allows the "chimney effect" air flow cooling. I discovered that a piece of the inside heat resistent material had bubbled and was smoking. It was a defective light box. Sent back to supplier. New replacement is working great...I am VERY happy with my Tota and photoflex NXT softbox. __________________ Vegas 8.0c (Build 260)-(Upgraded to Sony Vegas 10 pro)Canon GL2, Canon HV30, HF200, HF20-Sony UWP Wirelesss Mic Kit, Intel Core 2 CPU-6600@2.40GHz-3.00GB Ram

February 20th, 2011, 10:25 PM	#9
David Aronson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 84	Re: My tota lamp and new softbox r smokin...normal? I would strongly sugest NOT using 1k bulbs in tota lights. I have had every piece of plastic in the tota melt on 3 lights and in one case, the tota caught fire (one of our PAs was in a VFD and put it out before it could damage anything). I sent all three back to Lowel and got replacement and the rep on the phone said that it's quite common. The most I use in a tota is 750w

February 9th, 2011, 06:55 PM	#3
Oliver Neubert Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zurich, Switzerland Posts: 101	Usually new lights need to burn in the paint of the housing, some bulbs are painted black at the tip, for example bulbs for Dedolights will burn in the paint. if it is the bulb it is over in a couple of seconds, but the housing can take a while. There is some smoke and a burnt smell. I always leave new lamps running for a couple of hours in a well ventilated area before taking them to a job.

February 9th, 2011, 10:11 PM	#6
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Sorry - mis-posted

February 16th, 2011, 04:08 PM	#7
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	I have purchaased 3 new tota lights within the last 60 days. All 3 smoked a little when I first turned them on. It didnt last long. Also, make sure that the lamp doors are open before turning on the light.

April 1st, 2011, 01:37 PM	#10
John Rakis Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 43	Re: My tota lamp and new softbox r smokin...normal? I've been using Lowel Tota-lights in Photoflex Silverdome softboxes for several years and have never had a problem. However, I've never used a 1000 watt bulb. Lowell specifies a 750 Watt maximum @ 120 volts for the Tota.