Bradbaum,
The incandescent "black light" bulbs run very hot due to the purple film on the bulb. Not surprised they blew. As for the 3-4 hour life on the photofloods, I think that must be for continuous duty - I've been using the same pair of bulbs (one white, one blue) for three years, about 5 hours of lightning each Halloween and they're still going strong. They do run hot, and I use ceramic inserts in the reflectors to prevent the plastic sockets melting. Do what you can to keep them dry; water on an electrical circuit is never a good thing.

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But now is the end of days, and I am the Reaper!

Dark Alessa