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Author
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Topic: Switcher vs. High Reactance
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Jeff Taylor
Jedi Master Film Handler
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Posts: 601
From: Chatham, NJ/East Hampton, NY
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 07-10-2003 03:27 PM
You're right...it has been discussed a good deal, but I'm not sure that it's fair to say that most people prefer reactance supplies. Frankly, my own experience with switchers has been good. If you want to know why people would feel more comfortable with reactance, however, look at the design of each. The reactance supplies are basically a big transformer, some kind of rheostat, a diode bridge, and some caps. Sure, transformers can short out, diodes can fry, and caps get old, but basically it's simple as can be. It's also big, heavy, and highly inefficient. Switchers are complex--very complex--and got a bad rap initially for a high rate of failures, but my experience is that failure rates are way down, and they are far more efficient, smaller, and lighter than the competition.
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Jack Ondracek
Film God
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Posts: 2348
From: Port Orchard, WA, USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 07-13-2003 02:58 AM
I have both. My switchers are in 7 and 4kW service and have been no trouble whatever (they both use the same model of supply). On the other hand, I have an old, 2kW Strong high reactance supply that started to break down & trip the 125 amp sub-master breaker feeding that whole auditorium. Failures can happen with both types, it would seem.
I like the switchers. They're efficient and put out a good, clean DC. If you're not going to use an old generator to run your lamps, the switcher is possibly the next best output. BUT... it's true that a bunch of diodes and an old, clunky contactor is MUCH easier to service in the field. I've had diodes take a dump on me & I've managed to still save the show (with a good stock of spares on hand). Granted, that would have been less likely if it had been a switcher that had failed. If YOU aren't the one buying the bulbs, but you ARE the one who has to fix the problems, maybe high reactance is a better choice. I'm sticking with switchers whenever I replace or upgrade... but I am also making sure I have at least one spare around that I can run up to any screen, should one crap out on me, which thankfully hasn't happened yet.
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