What gives? Kino KF55 lamps burning out? at DVinfo.net

Dan Brockett · November 29th, 2006, 10:41 AM

Hi all:

In the past two days, I have had three different Kino KF55 lamps burn out. I think I may have a bad batch or has anyone else been experiencing this? They seem to get darker in the middle of the lamp, then the middle goes out, then the whole lamp goes dead eventually. Kind of bumming me out since they are $22.00 ea. and should last a long time. These were all brand new lamps with less than 30 minutes on each.

They have done this on three different fixtures, used in three different locations so I am pretty sure it's not the fixtures.

Does anyone have any good substitutes for Kino lamps for the Divas? Need daylight and 3200k ideally.

Thanks,

Dan

Mark Sasahara · December 5th, 2006, 07:40 PM

Are you using these with Kino ballasts?

Is the Kino ballast set to the correct setting- i.e. use the Std/2ft setting for 2 ft tubes and use the Hi/4ft setting for 4 foot bulbs. Overdriving 2 ft bulbs makes them green and burn out faster.

Dan Brockett · December 6th, 2006, 12:05 AM

Hi:

These are the 55 watt Biax tubes that are used in the Divas.

Thanks,

Dan

Mark Sasahara · December 6th, 2006, 12:48 AM

Haven't really used the Divas, but if you use them vertically, be sure that the base is at the top, and the tips of the tubes are at the bottom. Apparently problems arise when you run it tips up.

If you are still having problems, call Kino Flo

Best,

-M

Brian Wells · December 6th, 2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

These are the 55 watt Biax tubes that are used in the Divas.

KF55's have been running fine in my Kino Flo Diva Lite's for an entire year. I was wondering if you were using actual Kino Flo Diva Lite's or your own homemade setup? There are many different kinds of ballasts out there. Is there a chance you have a 65W ballast instead of a 55W? I can only wonder what happens if you put a 55W lamp on a 65W ballast... Ok, probably exactly what you're describing.

Marshall Staton · December 15th, 2006, 08:58 PM

I did get a 5500 bulb i think the batch was "511" which is the number on them and i tried to use it but it would not fire. I had it as a spare that i got maybe 2 months ago. Is this the same as yours?

Dan Diaz · October 21st, 2008, 11:25 PM

My divas have been going through lots of lamps too and it's frustrating. First the middle two lamps start failing (won't fully illuminate), then all bets are off.

Speaking of which... Who are you guys buying these from?

Daniel Epstein · October 22nd, 2008, 08:43 PM

Dan,
Sounds like you have a bad batch. Definitely contact Kino Flo Welcome to Kino Flo Lighting Systems for Film, Photography, Video & Tv to find out if they will replace them. They are pretty responsive to any issues I have questioned them on. Their website lists email contact for service etc.
I have noticed the lamps are very sensitive to temperature and often need more warmup time as they age but never had one fail to light if properly installed. Sometimes they take a long time to fully illuminate.
There are different sources for the bulbs than Kino. Barbizon in NY sells both Kinos True Match and Osram brand bulbs. I use a combination of both. HTH

November 29th, 2006, 10:41 AM	#1
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	What gives? Kino KF55 lamps burning out? Hi all: In the past two days, I have had three different Kino KF55 lamps burn out. I think I may have a bad batch or has anyone else been experiencing this? They seem to get darker in the middle of the lamp, then the middle goes out, then the whole lamp goes dead eventually. Kind of bumming me out since they are $22.00 ea. and should last a long time. These were all brand new lamps with less than 30 minutes on each. They have done this on three different fixtures, used in three different locations so I am pretty sure it's not the fixtures. Does anyone have any good substitutes for Kino lamps for the Divas? Need daylight and 3200k ideally. Thanks, Dan

December 5th, 2006, 07:40 PM	#2
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	Are you using these with Kino ballasts? Is the Kino ballast set to the correct setting- i.e. use the Std/2ft setting for 2 ft tubes and use the Hi/4ft setting for 4 foot bulbs. Overdriving 2 ft bulbs makes them green and burn out faster. __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

December 6th, 2006, 12:05 AM	#3
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Reply Hi: These are the 55 watt Biax tubes that are used in the Divas. Thanks, Dan

December 6th, 2006, 12:48 AM	#4
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	Haven't really used the Divas, but if you use them vertically, be sure that the base is at the top, and the tips of the tubes are at the bottom. Apparently problems arise when you run it tips up. If you are still having problems, call Kino Flo Best, -M __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

October 21st, 2008, 11:25 PM	#7
Dan Diaz Tourist Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1	If you solve this, please let me know... My divas have been going through lots of lamps too and it's frustrating. First the middle two lamps start failing (won't fully illuminate), then all bets are off. Speaking of which... Who are you guys buying these from?

December 15th, 2006, 08:58 PM	#6
Marshall Staton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 241	I did get a 5500 bulb i think the batch was "511" which is the number on them and i tried to use it but it would not fire. I had it as a spare that i got maybe 2 months ago. Is this the same as yours?

October 22nd, 2008, 08:43 PM	#8
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Dan, Sounds like you have a bad batch. Definitely contact Kino Flo Welcome to Kino Flo Lighting Systems for Film, Photography, Video & Tv to find out if they will replace them. They are pretty responsive to any issues I have questioned them on. Their website lists email contact for service etc. I have noticed the lamps are very sensitive to temperature and often need more warmup time as they age but never had one fail to light if properly installed. Sometimes they take a long time to fully illuminate. There are different sources for the bulbs than Kino. Barbizon in NY sells both Kinos True Match and Osram brand bulbs. I use a combination of both. HTH