Are all potted Welch Allyn Solarc bulbs the same?

Trashman

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
3,544
Location
Covina, California
First, I'm not even sure if they come without being potted on a plastic base.. What I'm wondering is, if the various lights using the 10w Solarc bulb are all using the same exact bulb. Are there differences in the reflector or the plastic base? I've got a Planet Bike HID that uses one of these bulbs and I *might* need a replacement bulb. I say might, because I'm not sure if something is wrong with the light or the bulb. I've only used it about 10 times and on about 4 or 5 occasions, it wouldn't light, but after a few tries, it turned on. Once, I went out for a ride and I turned the light off for a while and it wouldn't come back on (after being off for several minutes). I tried it many times, while riding back home, but it didn't light until I neared my house, when suddenly, it lit up, again. Even the first day, I notice there was one time that I tried turning it on, and it wouldn't come on. The green "on" light lit up, so it should too, but didn't, and sometimes doesn't. I don't know if this could be something wrong with the bulb, the ballast, or something else. I do notice that I hear a ticking sound when I try turning it on, which I'm thinking is the ballast trying to light the bulb. I've written Planet Bike, but haven't gotten a response, yet. (it's been a week.) I'll try writing them again, but if it is the bulb, the bulbs aren't covered under warranty. Planet Bike is selling their bulbs at a higher price than other places selling identical looking Solarc bulbs. I'm wondering if I got a cheaper one from a Niterider bike or Trailtec, if it would be the same exact thing?

Also, anybody have any ideas whether it's possible that I could have a defective bulb, if it did, in fact, sometimes light and work perfectly, and other times not?

EDIT: After a little more searching, I see they come without the reflector. I'm guessing the one I'm looking for is an MR11 type Solarc. Are the various lights using these using the same exact one?

EDIT2: After not being able to get the light to turn on for the past week, trying it about 40 or 50 times spread over each day, it just now turned on. I'm guessing the bulb is OK and the problem is in the light. I hope, after sending it back for warranty repairs, they can find something wrong with it. I don't want it to, suddenly, work every time, for them, and then come back not working.
 
Last edited:
Here is a source for the bulbs if you end up needed one.
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Light_Cannon_Lamp.php

I'm guess that the problem is with the light, igniter or ballast. I have seen one case in which a bulb with a tiny cracked work intermittantly for a brief period of time. It made the ticking sound but wouldn't always fire. After a short time it wouldn't fire at all.

I hope they take good care of you and fix or replace the light. It doesn't sound like you've had it long.

Paul
 
Thanks, Patriot, but the one I need has a mirrored relector attached. It's lit the last three times I've tried it. Hopefully, it's something that's covered under warranty. They don't warranty the bulbs. I think, I've had it for about 4 months, but haven't been riding that often.
 

Latest posts

Top