Scanner Bulbs - Life Expectancy Question

[Martin]

Hello,

I'm new to scanners and I've waited 4 years to give one a go.

How long on average can a scanner bulb last ? Mine is a flat bed scanner
with film/slide unit so not sure if it has two bulbs.

Are the bulbs expensive ?

Thanks

Martin

 

[Wayne Fulton]

Hello,

I'm new to scanners and I've waited 4 years to give one a go.

How long on average can a scanner bulb last ? Mine is a flat bed scanner
with film/slide unit so not sure if it has two bulbs.

Are the bulbs expensive ?

The bulbs today are not considered to user replacable, no more so than any
other electronic component that might fail. A $100 scanner is replaced
more cheaply than it can be repaired. Fact of life today.

These cold cathode bulbs have various ratings, often 8000 to 12000 hours,
slightly longer than conventional flourescents. The lamp should go out
automatically several minutes after a scan, which preserves its life.
This might be checked once, as you dont want to leave the lamp on 24/7
when you only use it every few days.

 

[Ronald Bruck]

The bulbs today are not considered to user replacable, no more so than any
other electronic component that might fail. A $100 scanner is replaced
more cheaply than it can be repaired. Fact of life today.

These cold cathode bulbs have various ratings, often 8000 to 12000 hours,
slightly longer than conventional flourescents. The lamp should go out
automatically several minutes after a scan, which preserves its life.
This might be checked once, as you dont want to leave the lamp on 24/7
when you only use it every few days.

Fine for a $100 scanner. What about a $500 scanner (or, worse, a $3K
film scanner)?

--Ron Bruck

 

[Wayne Fulton]

Fine for a $100 scanner. What about a $500 scanner (or, worse, a $3K
film scanner)?

The lamps are no longer considered user replacable. If the lamp is off when
not in use, it shouldnt be much issue.