EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Photo-therapy lamps

Dear Techs
We are due to replace our UV Phototherapy lamps (Draeger 8000 Photo-Therapie Hareaus, Draeger 4000 and Draeger 8000IC incubator) as they have clocked up the recommended 1000hrs. But the cost will be £1000. (Why do they all need doing at once?) I thought about measuring the output with a meter (cost £1000) and replacing them only when necessary. i.e. they fall below spec. This should prove cost effective in the long run.
Does anyone else do this?
How long does a lamp actually last?
Is there anything else I should be aware off?
Where do I get cheap lamps?
Could you do my thinking for me?
Have I asked enough questions?
Thanks to all the knowledgable peoiple who reply. I will recommend you for an AFC grade increase for speciallist knowledge.
Robert

Hi Robert,

I don't understand why you would want to change these units as they have "clocked up 1000 hrs".
We measure the output of our units and replace the lamps when the o/p falls below the specification of 1.6mW/cm2 at 40cm (with 4 lamps).
We get our lamps from HLS (H498) at £12.22 each.

We find that the lamps generally don't last more than 1500 hrs.

Todd

Todd,
It is not the units I want to replace just the bulbs and burners. The Draeger recommended replacement is 1000hrs. The burners in the Hareaus are £280 a shot, this soon adds up.
As these are treatment systems I want them to work at least to spec. The babies need to get a proper tan. So up to now they have been replaced at the recommended interval.
I was wanting to stretch this time by buying a meter but did not want to waste my money if I found out I needed to replace the bulbs at this interval anyway.
Robert

Robert,
I think you have misunderstood me. I was refering to lamp replacement within the equipment and not of replacement of the phototherapy equipment itself.

I personally would recommend the purchase of light meter as it will save you replacing lamps that are still within specification. (try Macam Photometrics Ltd - 01506 437 391)

Todd

Thanks Todd,
I will try them.
I did misunderstand. I thought that you thought I was going to replace the whole units. Now that would be expensive. This could make a good Marx Brothers sketch though..... I thought, you thought, I thought.......
Robert

Hi Robert,
We get the replacements for these from Hospital Lamp Suplies at a fraction of the normal cost.
For the 4000 the part no. is H498 @ £12.22 each and for the 8000 its H249 @ £97.38 each.
We change the tubes etc. after the recomended hours, but the equipment isn't always available so they always run over, so we just change the tubes and burner and put a sticker on for the next change when we can get our grubby paws on them.
HLS are very helpful and supply us with a whole range of different bulbs. Give them a ring.

DOH !!.

Sorry forgot to give you the telephone No. its 0116 2342929.

Hi Robert,

I thought bulbs grew in the ground !
seriously though you should get about 2000 hrs out of these lamps so dig deep and buy yourself a lightmeter.
You can also get a few more hours out of the lamps by holding the meter closer to the lights (but that is cheating)

Sid

Is that the same way money grows on trees?
Thanks for all the help guys.
Robert

Does anyone else realise that the burner for the 8000 (Q402Z7) and the burner for the 800 (Q406Z7) have the same specification as each other?

We had been ordering them separately and being charged different prices for them from the same supplier.

Apparently they are made by two different companies, in the same factory!

You could also try MGC Lamps Ltd on 01473 466300 for all hospital lamps.