xenon flash tubes

Hayden · 13th September 2005, 10:12 AM

I have one of those u shaped standard xenon flash tubes and in the specifications it says their good for 10,000 flashes!!! What that’s not much considering I wanted it for an rpm meter!!! I can use up 10,000 flashes in seconds!!
Is this figure correct? How do they die do they get dull or just stop working?

Thanks Hayden

dnsey · 13th September 2005, 11:42 AM

Flashtubes come in two 'flavours': those intended for 'one shot' use (e.g. camera flashguns), and those for continuous operation (stroboscopes). Perhaps yours is the wrong sort for your application?
Life expectancy, as with other components, is based on rated output - if they are underrun, the life is likely to be much longer than spec. Similarly, overunning is possible, but severely shortens tube life.
Failure mode depends on the actual tube design and the application but usually involves failure to trigger, but the larger tubes can fail catastrophically, exploding and throwing glass everywhere, so you should use a guard over your tube to be on the safe side.

Hayden · 14th September 2005, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the info

here is the specs

dnsey · 14th September 2005, 10:26 AM

The clue is in the application stated: Photographic use

Not really suitable for your application unfortunately. If you do decide to try it, be careful to guard it, as you may well exceed the rated dissipation, which could be messy

I'd suggest finding a more suitable tube - they're not very expensive. Alternatively, you could modify one of the cheap 'disco' strobes. Whichever way you do it, just watch out for charged capacitors and the secondary of the trigger transformer!

dnsey · 14th September 2005, 11:42 AM

You might find this useful:
http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/strbfaq.htm

TwoSpoons · 16th September 2005, 02:01 AM

Note that your tube is rated at 60J per flash. Thats a LOT of light. For your rpm meter 0.1 J per flash would be plenty. At that power level you'll get something on the order of 10 million flashes out of that tube (my best guess only!)

13th September 2005, 10:12 AM	#1
Hayden diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mackay Australia	xenon flash tubes I have one of those u shaped standard xenon flash tubes and in the specifications it says their good for 10,000 flashes!!! What that’s not much considering I wanted it for an rpm meter!!! I can use up 10,000 flashes in seconds!! Is this figure correct? How do they die do they get dull or just stop working? Thanks Hayden

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13th September 2005, 11:42 AM	#2
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	Flashtubes come in two 'flavours': those intended for 'one shot' use (e.g. camera flashguns), and those for continuous operation (stroboscopes). Perhaps yours is the wrong sort for your application? Life expectancy, as with other components, is based on rated output - if they are underrun, the life is likely to be much longer than spec. Similarly, overunning is possible, but severely shortens tube life. Failure mode depends on the actual tube design and the application but usually involves failure to trigger, but the larger tubes can fail catastrophically, exploding and throwing glass everywhere, so you should use a guard over your tube to be on the safe side.

14th September 2005, 10:26 AM	#4
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	The clue is in the application stated: Photographic use Not really suitable for your application unfortunately. If you do decide to try it, be careful to guard it, as you may well exceed the rated dissipation, which could be messy I'd suggest finding a more suitable tube - they're not very expensive. Alternatively, you could modify one of the cheap 'disco' strobes. Whichever way you do it, just watch out for charged capacitors and the secondary of the trigger transformer!

14th September 2005, 11:42 AM	#5
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	You might find this useful: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/strbfaq.htm

16th September 2005, 02:01 AM	#6
TwoSpoons diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Note that your tube is rated at 60J per flash. Thats a LOT of light. For your rpm meter 0.1 J per flash would be plenty. At that power level you'll get something on the order of 10 million flashes out of that tube (my best guess only!)

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