Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
From experience of two Hg and one Xe lamp explosions I think pushing the
envelope (pun intended) is risky. I don't want the exposure to Hg
vapor, and the cleanup time is more costly than replacing the lamps at
the recommended time. Also lamp house damage is common, we can't be
without our microscopes while waiting for parts, or in one case having
the replace the entire lamp house and power supplies because parts were
no longer available.
I don't cycle lamps on/off more than twice a day. Don't warm start
them, our rule is no sooner than 30 min. after a shut down.
PS The cracked 1" thick collector lens from the Xe lamp house of our old
Ziess scope is an interesting paper weight. I'm really glad I was
across the room when that happened.
Russ Spear
>> [log in to unmask] 05/23/06 3:07 PM >>>
Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
Clearly the basis for the advice is that the bulbs explode at some
point.
Osram and the other manufacturers need to be conservative in their
estimates or they could be legally liable. I have known many
investigators
who have successfully pushed the envelope but I know a few who have also
had bulbs explode. I guess one key piece of information would be what is
the shortest bulb life that a real PI has had a bulb explode at. The
important fact is not how long they can possibly last but the minimum
time
before a properly handled one explodes. Other useful information would
be
an assessment of the hazard of the mercury vapor that escapes. Finally,
I
have heard of lamp housings being damaged by the explosion. Is this
really
a likely scenario?
At 02:53 PM 05/23/06, you wrote:
>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal Hello,
>
>I am really curious to know more facts about these lamps. Most
microscopy
>books I have read refer to the advised bulb time limits set by the
>manufacturers. I know the advice, but on what basis is that advice
>made? Could someone please cite this research? Of course, there does
not
>have to be scientific research in order to advise someone: practical
>experience is frequently used, too. Personally, I have been following
the
>advice of the manufacturers thinking the extra use/cost provides better
>safety (I have never really known for sure). That said, mercury is
>difficult to dispose/recycle and it would probably be best not to use
Hg
>bulbs unnecessarily. A few anecdotes on the web suggest Hg vapor bulb
>life can be much longer than suggested, and I would like to hear from
>someone explaining the rationale for the guidelines currently in use.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Ed Williamson
>
>On May 23, 2006, at 12:16 PM, Jill Pflugheber wrote:
>
>>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>><http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal<~!B*+R^&>>><~!B*+R^&>>>This
is a 50W/L1. The temp hangs at 87-89, so if were to see it rise 10
>>degrees, I'd start getting concerned.
>>
>>Jill Pflugheber
>>Microscopy Technician
>>St. Lawrence University
>>Canton, NY
>>
>>Tom Phillips wrote:
>>>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>>><http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal<~!B*+R^&>>>><~!B*+R^&>>>>so
how much does the temperature rise when it is time to change the
>>>bulb? (and is this a 50W or 100W)? thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>At 06:57 AM 05/23/06, you wrote:
>>>>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>>>><http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal<~!B*+R^&>>>>><~!B*+R^&>>>>>We
use a digital thermometer to keep track of the temperature at the
>>>>housing vents. If the temp rises above "normal" working temp, we
>>>>figure it's time to replace the bulb.
>>>>
>>>>Jill Pflugheber
>>>>Microscopy Technician
>>>>St. Lawrence University
>>>>Canton, NY
>>>>
>>>>carl wrote:
>>>>>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>>>>><http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal<~!B*+R^&>>>>>><~!B*+R^&>>>>>>An
indication that the bulb is old is that it may quit during a
>>>>>session. If it is allowed to cool, it restarts and works for a
while,
>>>>>then quits again. Another is that fluorescence from a specimen is
>>>>>dimmer than expected. This is from the dark deposit that builds up
on
>>>>>the inner surface of the bulb. Only had one blow up and it put a
small
>>>>>scar on the mirror in the housing. Scared the you-know-what out of
the user.
>>>>>
>>>>>Interesting to learn (why didn't I think of that?) that more power
>>>>>required to span a larger gap corresponds with higher temps and
>>>>>increased chances of a blown bulb. Something to keep in mind when
>>>>>trying to stretch the life of a bulb.
>>>>>Carl
>>>>>
>>>>>Carl A. Boswell, Ph.D.
>>>>>Molecular and Cellular Biology
>>>>>University of Arizona
>>>>>520-954-7053
>>>>>FAX 520-621-3709
>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "David Chambers"
>>>>><<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]><~!B*+R^&>>>>>>To:
<<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]><~!B*+R^&>>>>>>Sent:
Monday, May 22, 2006 5:01 PM
>>>>>Subject: Re: Hg Bulbs Failure Warning Sign
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>>>>>><http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal<~!B*+R^&>>>>>>><~!B*+R^&>>>>>>>Ignatius,
Mike wrote:
>>>>>>>nerves to settle. Sooooo, I learned, if you smell electrical
burning
>>>>>>>(plastic insulation usually?), best to shut off the lamp, then
look.
>>>>>>If folks do this, it's probably best to wait for the lamp to cool
30
>>>>>>minutes first
>>>>>>- never open the housing when the lamp is hot, for fear that it
may
>>>>>>explode in
>>>>>>your face - aargh!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>- David "scaredycat" Chambers
>>>>>
>>>>>Thomas E. Phillips, PhD
>>>>>Professor of Biological Sciences
>>>>>Director, Molecular Cytology Core
>>>>>2 Tucker Hall
>>>>>University of Missouri
>>>>>Columbia, MO 65211-7400
>>>>>
>>>>>573-882-4712 (office)
>>>>>573-882-0123 (fax)
>>>>><mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]<~!B*+R^&>><~!B*+R^&>>__________________________________<~!B*+R^&>><~!B*+R^&>>Edward
K. Williamson, Ph.D.
>
>Sr. Research Investigator
>
>Director, Imaging Facility
>
>Department of Endocrinology
>
>University of Pennsylvania - HHMI
>
>415 Curie Blvd./ rm 305 CRB
>
>Philadelphia, PA 19104
>
>
>tel: 215-898-0470
>
>fax: 215-573-9138
Thomas E. Phillips, PhD
Professor of Biological Sciences
Director, Molecular Cytology Core
2 Tucker Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211-7400
573-882-4712 (office)
573-882-0123 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
Russell N. Spear
Sr. Research Specialist
Dept. of Plant Pathology
Univ. of Wisconsin
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison WI 53706
voice 608.263.2093
fax 608.263.2626
|
