Jupiter brightness

[andy ross]

Can anyone suggest a solution, please?

I'm lucky enough to own two Jupiter fibre-optic lamps, but one of them consistently runs far less brightly than the other.

We've changed bulbs and fuses, swapped the sprays over, cleaned the reflector and colour wheel, but still the same bulb on the same underperforming lamp always burns far less brightly than its identical counterpart, giving only a dim glow through the fibres.

[Claude J]

There are super bright LED replacements available for these on eBay

They do not run as hot either, so you to not have to worry about melting the color wheel if the motor stops

[andy ross]

Thanks for the thought, Claude, I've even tried this, too, with the same result - the OK Jupiter shines brilliantly (yes, the LED's are great, aren't they) whereas the dull one doesn't shine half as brightly. It's as if the power isn't getting through to the bulb...

The wheel still turns, but the light is dim...

[Claude J]

Check for corrosion in the socket

Also put a voltmeter on it

it may be trransformered

[andy ross]

Okay, thanks - this sounds like something I don't know about...no electrics here, sorry

The socket is the bulb socket, yes? We've checked that, but I'll certainly check again...

I don't own a voltmeter, but I can get one, (this is England, 220-240v remember) - is there a type of meter I need to buy?

By "transformered", do you mean the coil isn't working properly?

that would make sense of the problem, wouldn't it?

(It "transforms" the power from the mains voltage to the motor and bulb, I guess?)

[Claude J]

oH!

Forgot about your location

you may have \120 volt bulb in there, that's why it isn't as bright 

Have you tried swapping the lamps back and forth?

Transformer: = Step the voltage down from line/plug voltage to operate at lower voltage.

or

one may be made for EU (220 volt) and one may be made for USA (120V)

Use a volt meter to see what the bulb is getting

[andy ross]

No worries, Claude...Brit and proud of it!

Yes, we've got the right bulb, and we've swapped them over between lamps. Same problem, same lamp, different bulb is dull.

I've just been on to Ebay, no problems getting volt meters, I'll get one and test the two lamps one against the other to see what power the bulbs are getting - this makes sense at last, it's been doing my head in - thanks!

The only problem I can see is that if the dull one is suffering from a defective transformer, replacing it might be difficult, these lamps were made in the 1990's, I bought the good one new, the other (defective) one from Ebay...

Are there specialists in the replacement transformer field, like there are in bulbs, I wonder? That's my problem for the future, I'll test the bulbs and report back - it will be next week, I expect, before I can get a technical mate to help.

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

[Claude J]

you welcome

[andy ross]

Yeah, it was the transformer, only delivering half the required power to the bulb/spray.

Just fitted a new transformer and it's good as new again...

Thanks for the helpful info and advice, Claude.

[Claude J]

your welcome