Jinxer

We currently use Desert Sun 7.5 in our beds and have Sunstar ZX32 / 3F and was informed that we should actually have stronger bulb in the top canopy of the beds. The distibutor suggesed Velocity Plus in bottom and Velocity Extreme in the top. Has anyone had any experience with these bulbs that can offer some input before we try them.

Also most bulbs say average life of 1000 hours and everyone on board says they change them about 700-800 hours, but by the time our bulbs get approx 500 hours on them people start complaining of getting no results? And that happens no matter what kinda bulb we have. Any ideas there? We not cleaning acrylics enough?

And I have also heard of people rotating the bulbs from the top of bed to the bottom. So basically not restocking all new bulbs each relamp? Is this practiced alot, and should I be doing such a thing? Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks!

kissfan44

Switch to lightsources bulbs rated at 1000-1200 hours we change them at 800-900 hrs to keep customers happy as far as the rotating its called a top drop many salons do this new bulbs in canopy / drop canopy bulbs to base. i just tryed this in 2 of our base beds we are using lightsource midaysun bulbs in our sundash beds no one has complained and customers are getting great color you are so close to the bulbs on the base that there is litte differance. your velocity bulbs are only rated for 600/800hrs and have a verry big drop off after 300-400hrs.

Jinxer

Well I dont use Velocity bulbs yet. I am currently using Lightsource Desert Sun 7.5 And they seem to drop off there effectivness after 400-500 hours and they are rated 1000+ hours.

sbtan

our velocity/velocity plus did have a big drop around 400-450 hrs, the lightsource beach sun dropped off around 500-550 hours. I am just changing everything at half life, can't afford to lose customers while I am waiting for the hours to reach recomended change.

tuscanysun

I have the sunstar with facials also and I do have velocity in them, they came in them, anyway, I would like to put a great lamp in mine also or try something else. These are tanning good, but I thought I would change it up a little.

Jinxer

SBTAN --

You think it is acceptable to just change the lamps that early as opposed to finding out why they lose there potency so early? Seems like a big waste of money to spend relamping all the beds only to have them need changing 450-500 hours later. Also whats your thoughts on top dropping lamps?

dcjjp2

I used that Sunstar bed yesterday while out shopping some comp. and it was the worst experience I have ever had... I couldn't tell you how hot that thing got with that wimpy fan at the base of it. I thought I would die before the 20 min ended.

sbtan

I looked into finding out why the lamps drop, I was told it was bc the voltage was to low (219 v, the bed said no more than 230 but gave no minimum) I now have 228-230 inside the box. The bulbs were sent back to wolff and they said the bulbs are performing as they should with 400 hours on them and sent them back to me and put told me to put them back in, no thanks. As for top droppng if they meter low in the canopy, why would I want to put them in the base? As for the money spent, if my clients are tanning with new bulbs all the time and they are VERY happy with it, how much difference is it costing to change at 500 as apposed to 700 without losing clients who may nor see the results they get from my salon. If they want to tan on old used up bulbs they can go to the Sun/Eurgoline owned salon across town.

engfant

Quote:
On 2005-05-05 12:44:00, dcjjp2 wrote:
I used that Sunstar bed yesterday while out shopping some comp. and it was the worst experience I have ever had... I couldn't tell you how hot that thing got with that wimpy fan at the base of it. I thought I would die before the 20 min ended.


This is most likely the reason for everyone's lamp issue (well, that and takeing the rated lamp life seriously)
Everyone is overheating their beds at $2/tan and wondering why their lamps are junking early.

sbtan

How do you not overheat your beds when you are tanning 200 clients a day? Do you tell them to come back another day when the bed is cool or tan them and take the profits and replace the lamps more often.