Microtek Service - Not

[mfscanner]

I just got off the phone with Microtek asking about a replacement bulb
for my 120TF.

"That scanner doesn't have a user replaceable bulb, and we don't
repair them. We do
have a special offer for you to buy a brand new one for $1450."

Has anyone tried to replace the bulb in their 120TF or Polaroid 120?
It looks like a
JKL cold cathode fluorescent #BF375-20B, available at Mouser and
DigiKey.

 

[Rosemary]

I just got off the phone with Microtek asking about a replacement bulb
for my 120TF.

"That scanner doesn't have a user replaceable bulb, and we don't
repair them. We do
have a special offer for you to buy a brand new one for $1450."

Has anyone tried to replace the bulb in their 120TF or Polaroid 120?

Try calling Calumet. I bought my 120TF from them by internet and when
it didn't work they exchanged it in person.
Maybe they can help you out?

 

[george]

I just got off the phone with Microtek asking about a replacement bulb
for my 120TF.

"That scanner doesn't have a user replaceable bulb, and we don't
repair them. We do
have a special offer for you to buy a brand new one for $1450."

Has anyone tried to replace the bulb in their 120TF or Polaroid 120?
It looks like a
JKL cold cathode fluorescent #BF375-20B, available at Mouser and
DigiKey.

You might want to try one of the companies specializing in bulbs that deals
in the photographic field...like bulbman.com. They may have the info in
their database and/or be able to positively identify it from markings on the
bulb and base of bulb.

 

[isw]

You might want to try one of the companies specializing in bulbs that deals
in the photographic field...like bulbman.com. They may have the info in
their database and/or be able to positively identify it from markings on the
bulb and base of bulb.

What will be important is the range of colors emitted by the lamp.
Different mixes of phosphors can produce significantly different spectra
-- even from lamps that "look" very similar.

How about getting a cheap scanner from eBay, just for the lamp?

Isaac

 

[george]

What will be important is the range of colors emitted by the lamp.
Different mixes of phosphors can produce significantly different spectra
-- even from lamps that "look" very similar.

Since when do bulbs have a phosphor coating? Phosphors need an electron
beam to excite them.

How about getting a cheap scanner from eBay, just for the lamp?

That might be a good idea if you have difficulty finding the bulb and you
aren't in a hurry...you can probably pick up a junk scanner just like yours
failing for some other reason and salvage the bulb.

 

[isw]

Since when do bulbs have a phosphor coating?

Ever hear of that new-fangled invention, the "fluorescent light"? The
light source in most contemporary scanners is a cold-cathode fluorescent
tube (some very new ones use white LEDs, but even they make use of
fluorescence). Incandescent lamps don't emit much blue unless you run
them at a very high temperature, and then they don't last very long.

Phosphors need an electron beam to excite them.

That's one way, but any source of shorter wavelength energy will work.
"White" LEDs are really blue emitters coated with phosphors which absorb
some of the blue light and re-emit it at longer wavelengths (e.g. green
and red).

Isaac

 

[Talker]

Ever hear of that new-fangled invention, the "fluorescent light"? The
light source in most contemporary scanners is a cold-cathode fluorescent
tube (some very new ones use white LEDs, but even they make use of
fluorescence). Incandescent lamps don't emit much blue unless you run
them at a very high temperature, and then they don't last very long.


That's one way, but any source of shorter wavelength energy will work.
"White" LEDs are really blue emitters coated with phosphors which absorb
some of the blue light and re-emit it at longer wavelengths (e.g. green
and red).

Isaac

The last time I needed a bulb for a scanner, and in my case it
was a MicroTek flatbed scanner, I went to Tristate Electric Supply.
They have warehouses in most states, and I lucked out when I explained
to the guy on the phone what I needed. I had the old bulb, so I had
the manufacturer as well as their model number, but the guy knew
exactly what I needed, since his wife's scanner recently needed a bulb
replacement.
A typical fluorescent bulb that you'd find at Home Depot isn't
the correct temperature, and even though they had one that fit my
scanner, it made the scans look yellow. The one that I got from
Tristate was the correct temperature and worked perfectly.(he did have
to order it though.)
If you can get the old bulb out and it has the bulb type or model
number on it, it might pay to call a Tristate in your area to see if
they can order you one.

Talker