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Maintaining Light Lamps for Optimal Performance
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Maintaining Light Lamps for Optimal Performance

posted on by in Chamber Maintenance, Plant Growth

And How to Adjust the Lifetime Alarm Setting

Once a bulb in a research chamber or incubator reaches 50% of its lifetime, the performance degrades significantly.

To assist with light maintenance, Percival includes a Light Lifetime Alarm in all chambers.  The light lifetime alarm can be set to inform you when your lamps have been operating beyond their recommended lifetime. The current lifetime limits for most lamps in Percival chambers is 40,000 hours; the Percival control system sets an alarm at 15,000 hours. Each light output configured in the controller will accumulate the number of hours for which each light event is energized.

When any of the configured light outputs has been on for longer than recommended, a light lifetime alarm will occur. When a light lifetime alarm occurs, the alarm buzzer will activate and a message indicating the alarm will be displayed. To silence the alarm, press any key. The lights controlled by the light output which caused the light lifetime alarm should be changed and the light lifetime reset. The alarm message will only clear by resetting the light lifetime output that triggered the alarm.

To adjust the light lifetime alarm setting use the following steps:

  1. Press the LIGHTS key.
  2. Use the (up) and (down) keys as necessary to select ‘Light Life Alarm’ and then press ENTER.
  3. Use the (up) and (down) keys as necessary to change the light lifetime alarm setting and then press ENTER.
  4. Press the LIGHTS key to return to the main display.

In the event of an alarm, to investigate which light output(s) caused the alarm use the following steps:

  1. Press the LIGHTS key.
  2. Press the (up) and (down) keys as necessary to select LIGHT 1 LIFE. Review this value. If it’s greater than the light lifetime alarm setting then the accumulated lifetime for this light output should be reset.
  3. Press the (down) key repeatedly to review each additional light output configured on the chamber. If the light lifetime for any additional light output exceeds the light lifetime alarm setting then reset the accumulated lifetime for that output.
  4. Press the LIGHTS key to return to the main display.

To reset the accumulated light lifetime of a light output use the following   steps:

  1. Press the LIGHTS key.
  2. Press the (up) and (down) keys as necessary to select ‘Light x Reset Time’ where x is the number of the light output you want to reset and then press ENTER.
  3. Press the (up) and (down) keys as necessary to select ‘Yes’ and then press ENTER.

Press the (up) and (down) keys as necessary to select another light output to reset or press the LIGHTS key to return to the main display.

For more information on Percival Chamber or for assistance with lighting settings, please contact us at 1.800.695.2743.