Thread: Photo Flood Bulbs

Tweet

Hey everyone...

Gonna try out one of those Christmas Tree FX boxes instead of the more expensive Halloween one. Anyway... can anyone recommend a specific photo bulb? I saw a cheap one, just didn't know if it will do the trick...
Eiko - 250 Watt- 120 Volt - Photoflood Bulb - Eiko# BCA Light Bulb

Thanks!

Rock

Yep, that's the one I use. I also use an ECA (white) bulb alongside the blue. The F/X box can handle 500 watts so you can double up on the bulbs. Don't be worried about the 3 hour life that is advertised for these bulbs - I've been using one pair for 3 years now. Each lightning flash is only a few secs, so they'll last a long time. They run hot so keep 'em dry.

I ordered the fx box, blue and white photo bulbs. Went to Home Depot found those clamp light fixtures. The eight inch ones can only handle 150 watts you have to go up to 10 1/2 inches to handle 300 watt bulbs, but they are twice as much and twice as heavy. Can the smaller one handle it since it will only be for lightning effect and not continuous lighting.

I use the smaller ones with no problems. I haven't noticed any overheating of the wires.

Originally Posted by Otaku

Yep, that's the one I use. I also use an ECA (white) bulb alongside the blue. The F/X box can handle 500 watts so you can double up on the bulbs. Don't be worried about the 3 hour life that is advertised for these bulbs - I've been using one pair for 3 years now. Each lightning flash is only a few secs, so they'll last a long time. They run hot so keep 'em dry.

So that pushes the FX to the max 500 watt .....no blown fuses, as this is what I'm using this yr...(2) 250 watt bulbs 1 blue 1 white

I purchased mine from a seller on eBay...

BCA NO. B1 GE PHOTOFLOOD LIGHT BULBS - eBay (item 7536932857 end time Nov-19-08 07:51:47 PST)

The price was right and they came quickly. I'm going to use them with a pair of the smaller reflector clamp lights. I don't anticipate any problem since they won't be running all the time.

Well I found them locally and it's cheaper as all of the online stores charge $5 or more to ship which is the cost of one bulb at my local store.


Also...using the Xmas FX light controller...no one had any issues using (2) 250 watt bulbs...as this pushes it to the max 500 watt...?

...and I have the small clamp lights from Home Depot but it only handles 75 watts...dunno if that will work, so prob gonna have to go w\ two others that I have rated for 120 watts...what do ya think?

We are sold out of that bulb anyways if you would have ordered it.

Photo lights are a great idea, but as Otaku alluded to they run very hot so keep them dry as they will explode if they get wet while heated,(they don't call them hot lights in the photo industry for nothing). But they work great!!

Originally Posted by partsman

Photo lights are a great idea, but as Otaku alluded to they run very hot so keep them dry as they will explode if they get wet while heated,(they don't call them hot lights in the photo industry for nothing). But they work great!!

Wet as in actual drops of water or any moisture? As I live in central FL so we shouldn't have frost or anything at the time of night I will be using them, but how about fog, will that affect them you think?