Lighting Essays

THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©

Rushed
Obsolescence?

The Push to Replace
Older Lighting Fixtures

Are You Spending Money Unnecessarily?

  Some Factors to Consider:

• Size and Weight:  Today's non-motorised lighting fixtures are smaller and often lighter in weight than in the past. Due to other factors discussed below, they can put out the same amount of light from this much smaller package. The reduced size and weight are factors in the touring part of our industry, but not generally so in permanent installations.
  
  
• Efficiency:  Lamp design today allows for more lumens per watt. When these lamps are incorporated into older fixtures, they improve the performance of that fixture in that less heat and lower power consumption can be realised. Specifically:
  
  
  • Heat:  The lower-wattage lamps of recent lighting instruments put out less heat. However, lower wattage lamps can also be used in older fixtures with good results when the larger size of reflectors and lenses is taken into account. Just as a larger window in one's home transmits more light into a room, large reflectors and lenses do the same for transmitting more light to the stage.
    
    
  • Power Draw:  Some older fixtures require higher-wattage lamps to compete in light output with recent fixtures. However, when older models with larger reflectors and lenses are chosen, these models can compete because those reflectors and lenses gather and transmit more light output.
    
    
• Parts Availability:  This is a major drawback to using older fixtures. However, one can use parts from some fixtures apart to make up several working ones. Plus, older fixtures can often be had for very low prices, so parts are not impossible to be had. Then there is the possibility of parts substitution from manufacturers of similar products.
  
  
• Expertise:  Those familiar with older fixtures can wring the most usability from them through servicing and substitution of parts. Don't replace older fixtures just because they are dirty and out of alignment.
  
  
• Quality versus Cost of the Replacements:  Older lights that were manufactured by quality companies, and have been properly serviced, are often a better choice than low-quality modern ones. In particular, cheap LED fixtures often have inconsistencies between units and even among the LED elements incorporated. They also don't dim as smoothly or with the same curve as incandescents.

  Questions to Ask before Removing
   Existing Fixtures from your Inventory

1. Do you really need replacements?  If your lights are still working and they adequately light the stage, why replace them? In many cases, existing lights don't perform well because they are dirty and/or out of alignment. See our Equipment Maintenance article for servicing procedures.)
   
   
2. Will the replacement suit the purpose?  By all means replace a fixture if the replacement will fulfil a purpose not presently able to be had. Before paying out money though, see if the required task can be carried out by using another fixture from your current inventory. Or, will a change of placement or lamp wattage help? What about an accessory such as barndoors or a snoot; might that serve the requirement?
   
   
3. Will there be unwanted side effects?  Consider:
   
   
   • Cost? Will the money spent be worth it? Will the new fixture really be all that much better -- enough to justify the expense? How many years will it take to recover the cost of buying versus restoring your present inventory to top-working condition?
     
     
   • Performance? Will it be adequate? New fixtures don't necessarily perform as well. Some are not as well built. Some compromise construction in ways that add frustration for those that must handle, set up, adjust, and maintain the fixtures.
     
     
   • Maintenance? Will it be hard to maintain? Will the fixture be easy to disassemble, clean and lubricate? What is its longevity in the marketplace? If it is not to be around long enough, will replacement parts be available for a reasonable length of time?
   
   
   
4. Does your present Fixture Still Serve a Purpose?  Can it be used for some task? If it's not suitable as a main light, might it be useful as a special? As a scenery or wall washer? As a lobby fixture to provide a theatrical atmosphere for waiting patrons?
   
   
5. Does the Fixture Still Perform as When it was New?  If not, service it. Clean, align, and lubricate it. Replace missing hardware. If it is not in good shape, refurbish it. A fully overhauled fixture can be bought for around half the price of a similar, newer unit. If you do the work yourself, the cost will be far less.
   (Again, see Equipment Maintenance.)

It is not wise to fall prey to the "New! Improved! Shiny!" marketing of
manufacturers that simply want you to constantly replace your
lighting without considering if there is an advantage to do
so. Replacements may well be necessary and provide
wonderful advantages not currently had, but
replace under your terms, not theirs.