Over the last few years we have conducted extensive testing on as many D2 and converted lamps as we could lay our hand on. Primarily basic light distribution, geometric construction and lumen out put measured in a photometrical sphere. All interesting stuff and enables me in my official role to give feed back to both Philips and GE on what is happening in the aftermarket. However our lab time is limited and not all that commercially productive. Therefore to improve efficiency I have contacted the 11 companies that over the last 2 months have tried to sell us lamps. These are the simple questions that I asked
"1)B3/B10/TC for your lamps which I expect to be different for each of the different colour temperatures. Also what is your switching cycle when doing these measurements?
2) Maximum wall and Pinch temperatures of your lamps
3) Actual Colour temperature measurement (X,Y) coordinates
4) Lumen figures for each lamp
5) PPM levels and any official approval certificates. Your lamps will not have approval as rebased but what about the STD D2
6) Lumen maintenance curves and minimum specification at end of life
7) SDCM over life for each lamp
8) Strike time and stabilisation period both cold and hot restrike
Nothing too tough and all very easy to answer from any competent lamp manufacturer. I have not had a single answer. Now either they don’t know because they are a back street shed (possible) or they do not want these figures getting out because from our experience their product just does not stack up. Put it in a shiny box claim it has 10000K and it’s the brightest lamp in the market. Sell it for $299 and you get people who buy. Have to justify why any one should or would buy them and it falls apart.
Just thought it may be of interest?
Nick
hid-online.com
http://www.hid-online.com/hidonline/
