Changing bulbs

[KoolTanz]

I have a 20 minute bed that has one bulb that is burned out on it. I called my disty and he said that they ship those 100w bulbs in cases of 24 for around $10 each bulb. Which stinks because we only need one bulb for right now. And this being the slow season we are strapped for money.

Our beds are only 6 months old and barely have 400 hours on them. I asked my disty when I should change the bulbs and he said around 600 hours or whenever you feel you need to. (HA) I thought it was 800 hours. I am wondering when do you need to change the bulbs? And no I don't have one of those UV meters and I don't know anything about them, other than the obvious that they read the UV on a bed or something to that effect.

[Din]

Buy a UV meter. Talk to Solarmeter on how to take readings.

Buy a case of lamps and have them there....not having spare lamps is just bad business.

[Sarge]

Lamps are rated in perfect conditions. It all depends on the lamp you are using, the equipment you have, the voltage going into the unit, heat, cleanliness etc. What lamps do you have and what beds? One lamp can be shipped but it's tuff with damage. Most distibutors have small boxes to ship. Depending on your location as to what it will cost, but you are looking at about 20-25 dollars to ship one lamp. You may just as well get a couple in case you have another issue so you have a back up.

[Shane]

First off, are you sure it's the lamp and not just a starter?

If not, swap that lamp with another and see if it lights. If it does light, then it's just the starter, if not, then the lamp.

You should be able to buy whatever quantity of lamps you want, however, it's about the same price to ship 1 lamp or 24 lamps, b/c the size of the box.

If it's regular 100W lamps, you should be paying less than $10/lamp

Call John @ URI and I'm sure he'll take care of you.

[KoolTanz]

Yes it's the lamp. I swapped it with another that was working and it still didn't come on. It's gray in color too so that made me think it's burned out.

I wondered also how much 100w lamps should cost.

Do they all have to be the same brand or can you mix them?

Thanks for the help.

[jmtan]

$10 per lamp is about average but it depends on the brand and the disty. I have seen them for more and for less.

You should probably not mix brands.

[Sarge]

First of all if you are in a regulated state and have a tanning salon you need to put a lamp in that is compatible to the OEM lamp. Lamps range from 8.00 for a cheap lamp to 14.00 for top of the line. You can mix lamps if you want, again if compatible. Do you have a salon or is this for a home? I'm quite sure you disty should of helped you in regards to this matter, if not I would switch distributors.

[Sarge]

Sorry just notice you said you beds are 6 mo. old must be a salon. 6 mo. old the person that sold you the bed should just send you a lamp, even know most equip mfg's only warranty lamps, shock, and acrylics for a short time he should just send you a lamp.

[John]

I'll sell you one lamp. Shipping is usually the same for 1-12 lamps, so you want to buy some spares for some other machines also.

Of Course you get a much better deal when purchase full cases.

[KoolTanz]

Yes I think he should just send me one lamp since the bed is only 6 months old. I guess they don't realize that we have a lot more money to spend with them since we have room for 3 more beds at that location and then we are planning on opening up at least 1 or 2 more salons. Oh well........

[John]

What kind of bed is it? Maybe 400 hrs is all you can expect.

[Island Cove]

usualy when one lamp goes, its just a matter of a short time before more start to go. Its usualy a good sign your lamps are done, if you don't have a meter. My lamps in my low pressure equipment almost never last as long as the disty said they would.

[Sarge]

Most lamps don't just blow, they just loose the UV output so to say that when one blows the rest is going to be soon isn't really correct. A tanning lamp can lite for hundreds of hours but won't have any results. Lamp life is rated under perfect conditions and yes they won't last as long as the rated life. Depends on the Lamp, Equipment, Voltage, Heat, Cleanliness etc as to how long a lamp will produce results. I actually had a customer with a home unit, the bed was manufactured in 1986 and she had the original lamps in it and the hour meter had 1600 and some hours on them, they all would lite but you could tan in them for 3 hours most likely with basically no results.
Talk to John, he will hook you up with 1 lamp or 10,000 of them to get you up. Sounds like your distributor didn't take care of you.
Good Luck.

[frankie]

OMG since when did anyone expect a replacemnt lamp for free in a 6 month old bed. Don`t tell me I have been doing this wrong for 20 years. Keep spare lamps on hand and you will not have this problem. Lamps are not quaranteed for that long. When you turn a light bulb on at your home and it goes out in 6 months do you take it back to the store for a free one??

[frankie]

Watch it John if you sell her a lamp and it goes out in 6 months you will be sending her a free one.

[Sarge]

Frankie, only meant to point out that the guy bought some new beds, spent some decent money with a distributor and in six months he had a lamp blow out? Not a big deal to be a good distributor and take care of the guy as a good gesture and once you take care of them they will come back for more purchases. Yes, I know that most mfg's don't warranty lamps over 30 days or so, but what the heck small price to pay to give good customer support.

I would think different if he bought a new set of lamps and had one go out in 6 mo. with low hours. At that point I would offer a pro-rate for him to purchase another lamp and also he would need to pay shipping.

No big deal, it was just my thoughts on it.

Yes, should carry extra lamps at all times and wouldn't need to worry about it.

[Din]

what do you mean i have to pay for an oil change just 3 months after i bought my car? Can i just put olive oil in it....is there a difference? Don't they know i'm gonna buy 2-3 more cars....I expect them to pay for all my maintenance down to the oil and washer fluid and heck....the gas too, i mean i bought a new car from them, right?

[Tanning Queen]

400 hours and a lamp goes out and you want a free one?????? Sh*t, I have had lamps go after 200. All depends on everything that Sarge said. I have yet to see a lamp last as long as what they are rated. 800-1000? I think that is just bullshit. I declare shaningans!

Buy some extra lamps. You always need them. Also, buy some extra starters to keep on hand. These are things that should be in your closet at all times. Surprised that your disty didnt suggest that when you got the equipment.

[Sarge]

Never mind, didn't mean to start up B.S. just made a point of good gesture thats all and its been turned upside down.

[Din]

Originally Posted by Tanning Queen

I declare shaningans!

That's where w8inline is from. Shaningan, Pakistan. Those are his people.

Unless of course you mean Shinanigans...but i like your way better.

Sarge, we know what you meant....we're just fooling. It's a slow day today.