Observation about Octane Lightbars. - Printable Version

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Observation about Octane Lightbars. - weblacky - 08-12-2021

Hi All,
I have posted rebuild incandescent Octane(2) lightbars for sale in the marketplace section (parts), please check that out!  However, during my rebuild process I found two very interesting things:

I found two lightbars that STILL functioned, so I have two ORIGINAL, WORKING, OEM lightbars in the sale section.  But the interesting thing about these two units are:

Model: CK0219, 013-1918-001 Rev C.
Uses bulbs we’re already most familiar with, a small bulb with a white plastic base, with leads sticking out of the base.  These bulbs do in fact draw the same total amount of current as my replacements (~220mA).  I know that the majority of the bulbs used in OEM lightbar units are of this same type and lifespan (based on approximate luminance and current draw).  So this confirms the envelope of expected power draw, in case you're someone who wants to add MANY lighting elements to an Octane and use this power source.  Design for a MAX of 230mA from the front bulb interface to be within expected norms.

Model ASC-3597, 013-1918-001 Rev C.
Uses bulbs that have LONG stems and no white base, the rubber stand-offs just freely move along the length of the bulb’s legs.  However, these bulbs appear slightly dimmer than the other lightbar models, but they consume HALF of the current of the more common model.  This tends to be prevalent of the dimmer bulb models that carry a slightly longer life span (~20% more lifespan).  I ran across two of these lightbars models, only one worked but the bulbs and model number are something I’ve not come across after rebuilding quite a few lightbars.


So the only reason I’m posting this is to provide confirmation that the most common OEM lightbar was designed to draw ~220mA from its bulbs alone and that there were other production runs using other bulbs that take less current but don’t have exactly the same luminance, but likely close enough not to be very noticeable (within a tolerance).  Since these were original (unrepaired) units that data closes any wondering on the intended power usage and opens a variance among lightbar suppliers/productions.

Just a fun fact.

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RE: Observation about Octane Lightbars. - jwhat - 08-14-2021

Hi Weblacky.

first the bulbs, then the power supplies, then the graphics ...

Ever forward on the path to SGI repair nirvana, while helping us SGI'ers all along the way.

Many thanks.

Cheers from Oz,

jwhat/John.

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RE: Observation about Octane Lightbars. - weblacky - 08-14-2021

Haha...problem is there is so much technical debt...that my stuff is aging/failing faster than I can do anything about it!

I'll let others with the correct skills tackle other aspects. I hope one day someone offers newly made skins of different colors as well...that would be cool to try out some things. Old logo please...don't get my going on the "new" logo.

But as I mention all the time, if my stuff doesn't even turn on and boot up...it's junk and I should just sell it now. My goal is that my collection actually works. Just like a car collector...what's so great if the cars cannot actually run and drive?

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RE: Observation about Octane Lightbars. - jwhat - 08-14-2021

Hi Weblacky,

there is major difference than with vintage cars.

With cars there is not a single part that cannot be purchased, machined or 3-D printed.

With computers it is a whole magnitude of additional complexity...

Which makes it substantially harder :-(

Cheers from Oz,


jwhat/John

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