[Alt-photo] Re: USHIO-FREESTYLE BULB O.K. FOR 26-1KS?

[Greg Mikol]

NuArc specifies different bulbs for the 26-1K and 26-1Ks. The Ushio and 
Freestyle bulbs are the GW114 bulb type, designed for the 26-1K. The 
26-1Ks (and my NL22) use the NP80 bulb, which is ridiculously expensive. 
Though I was able to find a replacement for $140...I'll have to check where.

My understanding is that the "chemistry" of the bulbs is different, and 
as a result, might require different voltages to start/run, so the 
ballasts might be different. That would either mean the bulb wouldn't 
start (voltage too low), or could be over-volted, risking rupture of the 
capsule (which has a small amount of mercury in it, AFAIK).

M&R, who owns NuArc, I've found has responsive customer service.

http://www.mrprint.com/en/CustomerService.aspx

They sent me the wiring diagram for my NL22 when it wouldn't light, and 
I was able to get it sorted. You could always ask them (and please let 
the rest of us know).

Are the NP80 and GW114 bulbs the same dimensions?

Best of luck...

--Greg

> DEAR LIST,
>       I think this is on topic because I use my 26-1KS
> Metal Halide plate burner exclusively for making alt photo
> prints; cyano, pt/pd, salt, & albumen.
>       A while back someone pointed out the Ushio MHL1000/1
> Nuarc GW114 Plate Burner Bulb (metal halide) available
> from Freestyle (about $50) as a much less expensive
> alternative to the metal halide replacement bulb (about
> $170) made for my plate burner.  However, this Ushio bulb
> is rated at 1200 W and the manufacturer's recommended bulb
> is 800 w.  That is a 50% increase in power draw and I
> suspect it would at least blow fuses in the burner if not
> fry some of the bulb power supply circuits.
>       Has anyone *personally* (as opposed to anecdotal
> "knowledge") successfully used the Ushio bulb in their
> 26-1KS Metal Halide plate burner?
>                            CHEERS!
>                               BOB