Is this normal...?

[Ava]

We just bought these new Bowens gemini monolights. We were using the modelling lamp and after about 5 minutes of it on full power it started to smoke - picture below to show how much, though there was a bit more than what you can see there. We thought it might just be paint burning off...?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[mike weeks]

Silly question but you did remove all protective packing?

Mike

 

[straycat]

i would phone the shop they came from just in case

 

[digitalfailure]

None of my bowens have ever smoked

Where is the smoke coming from? Dirt/finger grease or oil on the bulb, or inside the head.....

A call to bowens and the supplier would be my advice.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Not exactly normal but not necessarily a problem either - probably nothing more than the protective coating burning off.

If it was a problem with a capacitor then the smoke wouldn't be coming from there, so I wouldn't worry about it

 

[pockets]

It is possible that as others have said its just protective coating burning off however I would make a call to the supplier/Bowens just to A-confirm this and B-it will look good for you if anything else happens further down the line.

 

[photosel]

My Bowens never have similar problems. It's better to contact the shop.

 

[Steve T]

I would send them back and insist upon a new set that do not smoke for ANY reason.

Smoking lights (due to electrical heat) are not fit for purpose or safe.

 

[Ava]

Thanks for the advice everyone We rung Bowens and they said it should be fine as the modelling lamps do smoke occasionally.