Source for Solux bulbs and fixtures

[William Morse]

I am looking to do a track installation of solux bulbs in my studio. Has anyone used USA Light & Electric http://usalight.com/ for either the bulbs or, more importantly, the track fixtures. The price is great, they claim they use better transformer that deliver 60W, 11.5 volts under load, which they claim is better than most other fixtures.

Before I send them $1,000, and comments or reviews?

Thanks, Bill

[Bruce Watson]

I am looking to do a track installation of solux bulbs in my studio. Has anyone used USA Light & Electric http://usalight.com/ for either the bulbs or, more importantly, the track fixtures. The price is great, they claim they use better transformer that deliver 60W, 11.5 volts under load, which they claim is better than most other fixtures.

Before I send them $1,000, and comments or reviews?

Thanks, Bill

When I did it I used a Halo track and L2770 lampholders. Why? Because track lighting is plagued by startups, odd brands, fashion, etc. With a no-name track you may find (as I have in the past) that you can't buy new lampholders in the future. Halo, while expensive, has been around for a long time. I can still buy lampholders for my tracks 20 years after they went in. And I have. So that's not an inconsequential consideration maybe.

I should point out that the first thing I tried was the Solux lampholders. Huge mistake. I had two sets of four lamps each. They couldn't be adjusted to hold their positions (the little plastic knobs couldn't take the heat). The second set blistered the paint off in the first minute of operation. And they put backwash light on the ceiling which I found really annoying. So back they went. In with the Halos.

For the Solux bulbs themselves, I just bought them from Solux. At the time they were the only source, and the things last forever. They do however color shift over time. The three I'm using for my "proofing wall" are shifting somewhat individually too -- not unison. I guess eventually I'll have to replace them all. But right now I'm heading back to a B&W period apparently, so it's not bothering me much.  

[titusbear]

Here we have 4 proofing sets / more than a dozen heads / and 6 clip-on solux lamps - and have nothing but great things to say about them (both the fixtures /the bulbs / and the suitability of different temp. for different subjects - paintings /technical /photos.)  Only one bulb was DoA (returned and replaced at no charge by Solux). (Tailor Lighting is probably one of the only companies which, when you call, you can actually talk to the people who invented /designed the product - solux bulb. Call and talk with them re: shifts as bulbs age if you'd like / info on their site - they're pretty serious about the technical aspects of their product).
Agree with the observation that buying quality track /fixtures is a necessity. We've not had any problems with items from Solux /Tailor Lighting (which use either Halo or W.A.C.  - UL rated track and fixtures).  Price is more than competitive with electrical supply houses here in New England... and Solux offers an extended warranty.

Remember - Solux recommends that you only use grounded track.  Since each 50W bulb only draws 1/2 amp, you can install as many as physically possible on each track without concerns re: over demands on the system.

[William Morse]

Hi Bruce-

Thanks for your thoughts. I was somewhat encouraged that USA Light & Electric sell "Halo style" 3-wire (grounded) track. I've bought track before (Lightolier), so I think I'll know crap if I see it.

If I end up buying from them, I'll report back on the experience. Still hoping to hear from someone who's bought from them. They claim they are the largest Solux dealer.

Thanks again,

Bill

When I did it I used a Halo track and L2770 lampholders. Why? Because track lighting is plagued by startups, odd brands, fashion, etc. With a no-name track you may find (as I have in the past) that you can't buy new lampholders in the future. Halo, while expensive, has been around for a long time. I can still buy lampholders for my tracks 20 years after they went in. And I have. So that's not an inconsequential consideration maybe.

I should point out that the first thing I tried was the Solux lampholders. Huge mistake. I had two sets of four lamps each. They couldn't be adjusted to hold their positions (the little plastic knobs couldn't take the heat). The second set blistered the paint off in the first minute of operation. And they put backwash light on the ceiling which I found really annoying. So back they went. In with the Halos.

For the Solux bulbs themselves, I just bought them from Solux. At the time they were the only source, and the things last forever. They do however color shift over time. The three I'm using for my "proofing wall" are shifting somewhat individually too -- not unison. I guess eventually I'll have to replace them all. But right now I'm heading back to a B&W period apparently, so it's not bothering me much.  

[titusbear]

And they put backwash light on the ceiling which I found really annoying.

Sorry - forgot to comment on this.
Solux sells bulbs with a black back coating that eliminates this problem. (but are more expensive than the normal bulb).  A factor in 'designer' settings, but less so in production /studio settings where the fixtures are not mounted close to a ceiling surface.  Don't know about the Halo fixtures mentioned, but any fixture, by necessity, must provide adequate ventilation for the bulb (which in my mind means either a heat-sink (like the old Luxo lamps) or vent holes (which would allow light leakage).

Again, call Solux/Tailor lighting and talk with them about things - they're pretty helpful people re: product and advice.