New HMI bulb burn in time?

[Shawn Nelson]

I just bought a used HMI 2.5kw PAR and will be buying a new globe and backup for it. I've heard you need to "burn in" HMI globes before using on set. How long? Do I just turn it on for a few hours? Should I burn in both of them so that in the event the first globe blows the backup is ready? Oh, and the bulb is a 2500w SE HR. Thanks!

[Jim McKinney]

I just bought a used HMI 2.5kw PAR and will be buying a new globe and backup for it. I've heard you need to "burn in" HMI globes before using on set. How long? Do I just turn it on for a few hours? Should I burn in both of them so that in the event the first globe blows the backup is ready? Oh, and the bulb is a 2500w SE HR. Thanks!

Perhaps the person you were talking to was referring to the burn in time of an HMI globe. Anytime you fire one up, it takes a couple of minutes to get up to full speed and arrive at the correct color temperature.

[Pig]

Shawn,
I think you'll find that with your new light, it is a good idea to "burn" them in for a few hours.
It has several reasons, of which the burning off of oils remaining from manufacture of the light itself is one.
Being that HMI also burns [relatively] hot, the light may smell a bit for the first few hours (assuming the light is new).

So, yeah, I'd run everything for 6 or so hours to settle in, including the bulb...
After 6 to 10 hours or so, everything should be settled in; and it all should be good to go...

EDIT: oh, I see your light is 2nd hand, and the bulb is new. Well, the basics remain, burning it in is a good idea. 6 hours or so should do it...

[KETCH ROSSi]

I just bought a used HMI 2.5kw PAR and will be buying a new globe and backup for it. I've heard you need to "burn in" HMI globes before using on set. How long? Do I just turn it on for a few hours? Should I burn in both of them so that in the event the first globe blows the backup is ready? Oh, and the bulb is a 2500w SE HR. Thanks!

Hey Shawn,

this are few suggestions that I can provide from personal experience with my Filmgear 1200 HMI Pars and Osram HMI globes, but this should apply to all HMIs in general.

A) Be sure that the globe is well put in (gently but firmly w/gloves) if the globe is not firm in position can and will cause vibration and incorrect and dangerous operation.

B) Once the new globe is in place do BURNE the globe but ONLY for two ours no more, remember that the life span of this costly globes it is not long at all.

The reason why you should burne for two hours is mostly do not only to the moderate smell but because the new HMI globes do not have the correct DAY light temperature but can go much higher for the first hour or two, and I'm talking close to 8000k and more, so after the first hour or so of burning the globe stabilizes it self to the regular Day light temperature.

Hope this helps.

If you loved the Filmgear Tungsten you have, definetely you will love the Filmgear HMI Pars, I know I do.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[Kevin Halverson]

As soon as the measured CT falls within range and it quits changing, you are good to go. This is true of a new or used globe. Six hours seems excessive to me, but rather than guess, just check the CT and know.