SunSpot 2: Lamp & maintenance, every question, answered
43 answers below, written from the manufacturer's manuals and our own bench experience. Prefer to tap through them? The same answers power the live chat in the corner. Ready to buy? See the SunSpot 2 or request a quote.
How long does the arc lamp last?
Typically more than 2,000 hours before output drops to 50% of its initial intensity. Actual life depends heavily on the number of on/off cycles, continuous running with the shutter closed between cures stretches it furthest.
When should I replace the lamp?
Monitor tip intensity with a radiometer and replace when output no longer supports complete curing, many processes use about a 20% drop as the trigger. Without a radiometer, watch the quality of the adhesive's cure, or simply replace on elapsed hours at roughly every 2,000 hours.
Which replacement lamp do I need?
The standard module is the UV1866 200 W UVA-enhanced short-arc mercury lamp, the same one factory-installed in every SunSpot 2. It's a quick-change cartridge with the reflector built in.
UVB-enhanced (UV2170) and visible-cure (UV4792) 200 W modules are also offered for chemistries that lean on short-wave or visible content.
Is there a UVB lamp option?
Yes, the UV2170 UVB-enhanced short-arc mercury lamp boosts output in the short-wave region for surface-tack work on thin coatings and inks. Pair it with the fiber light guide and run without the heat filter for the best UVB delivery.
What kind of lamp does the SunSpot 2 use?
A 200-watt mercury short-arc lamp in a quick-change module with a dichroic coated elliptical reflector. It runs at 40 VDC at 5 A in a horizontal burning position.
What must I do before any maintenance?
Turn off the rear Input Power Switch, unplug the power cord and foot pedal, and wait a minimum of 15 minutes for the lamp and other hot components to cool back to room temperature. Only then open the unit.
How do I open the lamp access panel?
After the power-down and cool-down, remove the light guide, face the unit's right side, loosen the three captive thumbscrews at the panel edges, and lift the panel off. Set it on a soft, clean surface.
High voltages and temperatures may be present behind this panel, which is why the interlock cuts power whenever it's removed.
How do I remove the lamp module?
Unplug the lamp's electrical connector from the receptacle on the chassis center divider, then hold the ceramic end cap and press the lamp retaining spring arm toward the rear. Move the module slightly rearward out of its circular groove, then straight up so the metal anode bar passes through the notch at the top of the mounting extrusion.
Can I touch the lamp with bare hands?
No, never touch the glass portions, including the inner bulb and the elliptical reflector. Skin contaminants cause unwanted refraction and can create localized hot spots on the quartz envelope that lead to premature lamp failure; always use clean gloves or a soft clean cloth.
How do I clean a smudged lamp?
Gently wipe fingerprints or contaminants from the lamp's outer glass or reflector interior with a soft cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol, then dry and polish with a clean dry cloth. If the bulb is distorted, discolored, or cloudy, replace it instead.
How do I install a new lamp module?
Hold the ceramic end cap, orient the metal anode bar vertical with the reflector-edge wire pointing up, press the spring arm toward the rear, and lower the module so the anode bar passes through the notch in the mounting extrusion. Center the reflector's open end against the circular groove, slide the module forward so the rim seats in the groove, then release the spring arm and plug the connector fully into its receptacle.
Why must the reflector rim seat in its groove?
Proper focus depends on it, the rim must be centered and fully inserted in the extrusion's circular positioning groove for the beam to focus into the small light guide input. Verify by rotating the module slightly back and forth with the spring arm depressed to confirm the rim stays inside the groove.
Where should the reflector wire sit?
The wire at the front edge of the reflector's open end must be centered in the notched area at the top center of the mounting extrusion, rotate the lamp module as needed to center it. Set it before powering up; a misplaced wire can cause system malfunction or possible damage.
What should I do after a lamp swap?
Record the hour meter reading and the work performed in your maintenance log (and optionally reset the meter via the rear DSUB), reinstall the access panel with its three thumbscrews, and re-test that intensity and cure time are satisfactory. If you have a radiometer, log a fresh baseline.
How do I dispose of a used arc lamp?
UV curing arc lamps contain some mercury, so dispose of them responsibly under local, state, and federal law, never in general trash. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association posts excellent recycling guidance at www.lamprecycle.org, or contact us and we'll point you to a recycler.
Do the lamps contain mercury?
Yes, all UV curing arc lamps contain some level of mercury. Let a spent lamp cool fully, keep it intact, and route it through a mercury-lamp recycling program.
What does the dichroic reflector do?
The dichroic coated elliptical reflector focuses the arc into a cone-shaped beam while filtering out unwanted infrared energy, so the output runs cooler. A second in-line heat filter then cleans up what's left before the light enters the guide.
What shortens lamp life the most?
Frequent stopping and starting, lamp life is directly affected by the number of on/off cycles, and interrupting the 1-2 minute warm-up is especially damaging. Leave the unit running with the shutter closed during short breaks instead of cycling power.
Why do fan filters matter?
Clogged filters restrict the cooling airflow the dual DC fans pull through the unit, inviting overheating that reduces system life, and can trip the 65 °C over-temperature shutdown. Clean them periodically, more often in dusty areas.
How often should optics be cleaned?
There's no fixed schedule, inspect and clean periodically, as required. Dust and condensed product vapors accumulate on the light guide tip, lamp, and filter surfaces, cutting transmittance and curing efficiency, so let your environment and radiometer readings set the cadence.
Should I keep a maintenance log?
Yes, record lamp hour readings, intensity measurements, and each maintenance operation performed. The history lets you track the age and performance of the lamp, optics, and light guide, and makes replacements planned instead of reactive.
What fuse does the SunSpot 2 take?
A time-lag 6.3 A, 250 VAC, 5.2 x 20 mm glass fuse, Uvitron P/N UV2136. Replace it only with the same type and rating; it protects the power supply and lamp.
Where is the AC fuse located?
On the rear panel, near the power entry module between the two fan grilles. Power the unit off and unplug it before checking or replacing the fuse.
What spares should I keep on hand?
For line-down protection we suggest a spare lamp module (UV1866), fan filter elements (UV2304), an AC input fuse (UV2136), and a spare light guide. All are quick, user-level swaps.
How do I order replacement parts?
Send us a quote request with the Uvitron part number, or your system's serial number and we'll match the part for you. We respond within one business day and ship from the US.
What warranty covers the SunSpot 2?
Uvitron International warrants its products against defective material and workmanship for 2 years from the date of shipment. The warranty excludes misuse, accident, improper installation or operation, repairs by unauthorized parties, and units with broken tamper-proof seals.
What if my unit needs repair?
Contact us, repairs beyond user maintenance are handled at the factory, and we'll arrange the service and the required Return Material Authorization (RMA) number for you.
Is out-of-warranty repair available?
Yes, units beyond the warranty period can be repaired at the factory for a fee that depends on the degree of repair. Contact us and we'll arrange the service.
Is repair work itself warranted?
Yes, Uvitron warrants all repair work for one year from the date of repair. That coverage applies to the specific repair the unit was returned for.
How should I ship a unit for service?
Get an RMA number from us first, then ship in the original packaging to protect against transit damage, that's why we recommend saving the carton. Inbound freight is at the customer's expense; the repaired unit returns to you at no charge by normal shipping.
Freight-collect shipments aren't accepted, and damage caused by inadequate return packaging isn't covered.
Can I service the electronics myself?
No, high voltage and current energize the lamp circuit, and the electrical system should be serviced only by factory service personnel. User maintenance covers the lamp, in-line filters, light guide, fan filters, and fuse; for anything else, contact us and we'll arrange factory service.
Is a replacement foot pedal available?
Yes, the shutter control foot pedal, Uvitron P/N UV1860, comes with a six-foot cable and plugs into the rear DSUB connector.
Can I get a replacement power cord?
Yes, UV0341 is the 7 ft 6 in US-version AC power cord, and other country versions are available. Mention your region when requesting a quote.
What cable do I need for PLC wiring?
The UV2156 PLC I/O control cable mates with the rear 9-pin DSUB connector and simplifies wiring the SunSpot 2's control and monitoring signals to switches, relays, or a PLC.
Which safety glasses do you offer?
Two Uvitron UV/IR styles, each 5.0 shade: UV0496 OTG glasses that fit over prescription eyewear (a pair is included with every system) and UV2232 in a sport-contour style.
Do you sell a radiometer?
Yes, the UV0567 Spot Cure Intensity Meter reads 0-19.99 W/cm² across 320-390 nm and includes a case. It's the instrument the manual recommends for monitoring lamp output and balancing multi-pole guides.
Can I get another copy of the manual?
The full 31-page instruction manual is a free download from our site, and a printed copy is orderable as Uvitron P/N UV1854.
What are the storage conditions?
Store the unit at 0 to +60 °C (+32 to +140 °F) with 10 to 100% relative humidity, non-condensing. Operating limits are tighter: +10 to +40 °C and 30-75% RH.
How do I spot a worn-out lamp?
During inspection, look for bulb shape distortion, discoloration, cloudiness, or simply excessive hours on the meter, any of those means replace the lamp. Fingerprint-type contamination, by contrast, can be cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol.
How is the system cooled?
Dual filtered DC fans at the rear of the chassis evacuate heat from the optics and electronics, regulated by the lamp's IR temperature sensor, keeping reliability high while minimizing audible noise. That's why the rear panel needs 12 inches of clearance.
Does dust really affect output?
Yes, dust and airborne particles clog the air filters and internal cooling passages, and they build up on the lamp, reflector, and filter surfaces where they steadily attenuate the easily absorbed UV. Install the unit in a low-dust area and clean periodically.
Are arc lamps covered by warranty?
Lamp modules carry a limited warranty against defects, but arc lamps are consumables rated by service hours, normal end-of-life dimming isn't a defect.
Is there a UVA-only filter kit?
Yes, the UV1870 UVA band-pass filter kit snaps into the SunSpot 2 and trims the arc output to the UVA band, useful when nearby components are heat- or short-wavelength-sensitive. It ships as a two-filter service kit, typically in 1-2 weeks.
