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The PARcan is a classic wash fixture once used widely, but now being phased out. In 2019, Altman announced the end of life of the PAR 38, 56, and 64.
The PARcan was a durable, easily hung and focused fixture that had a crisp, harsh light with a soft edge allowing for easy blending between fixtures. The fixture itself is nothing but a cylinder that acts as a housing for the PAR lamp and a safe way to hold the lamp and color media and attach the fixture to the pipe. Beam size is dependent upon the type of lamp installed in the fixture. Beam characteristics are similar to that of the Source Four PAR.
The PARcan was a durable, easily hung and focused fixture that had a crisp, harsh light with a soft edge allowing for easy blending between fixtures. The fixture itself is nothing but a cylinder that acts as a housing for the PAR lamp and a safe way to hold the lamp and color media and attach the fixture to the pipe. Beam size is dependent upon the type of lamp installed in the fixture. Beam characteristics are similar to that of the Source Four PAR.
PARcan fixtures are not numbered at SU.
Fixture Degrees
Like the Source Four PAR, the PARcan has 4 basic lens degrees: WFL (Wide), MFL (Medium), NSP (Narrow), and VNSP (Very Narrow). Lens structure is similar to that of the Source 4 PAR lenses. Unlike the S4 PAR, to change the degree, the entire lamp has to be changed.
Fixture Parts
C-Clamp - used to attach the fixture to a pipe
Yoke - U-shaped bracket that supports and attaches the fixture to a pipe/batten via the c-clamp. Allows for panning and tilting of the fixture during focus. Back cover - covers the back of the lamp. It has an opening in the back to allow for access to the lamp to rotate it during focus. Latch -keeps the back cover attached to the housing. Yoke locking knob - loosen to adjust the tilt of a fixture. Fixture housing - helps contain the spill light of the lamp. Its shape is where the term "can" comes from. Retaining clip - used to hold the color frame and other accessories in place. Safety cable - required for all fixtures, must be attached around pipe. Stage pin plug - used to plug the fixture into the circuit. Flat connector often referred to as pin connector or two-pin and ground connector. |
Lamp
PARcan fixtures are unique in that the fixture is just a housing for a self-contained sealed lamp. This lamp contains the reflector, lens, filament, and base/plug. When the filament goes out in a PAR lamp or the field angle is to be changed, the entire lamp unit must be replaced.
PAR lamps come in a variety of sizes based on their diameter in 1/8th of an inch: 64, 56, 46, 38, 36, 30, 20, and 16.
The PAR 20 and PAR 16 are more commonly referred to as a "Birdie."
PAR lamps come in a variety of sizes based on their diameter in 1/8th of an inch: 64, 56, 46, 38, 36, 30, 20, and 16.
The PAR 20 and PAR 16 are more commonly referred to as a "Birdie."
PAR20/PAR16 - "Birdie"
Fixture Parts
Fixture housing - helps contain the spill light of the lamp.
Color frame in holder - single slot for placing the color frame or other accessory in place. Does not have a retaining clip. Latch - keeps the base attached to the housing. Fixture base - contains the socket where the lamp screws into. Pigtail comes out of the base. Yoke locking knob - loosen to adjust the tilt of a fixture. Yoke - U-shaped bracket that supports and attaches the fixture to a pipe/batten via the c-clamp. Allows for panning and tilting of the fixture during focus. Edison plug - used to plug the fixture into the circuit. This is the common US household plug style (NEMA 5-15P), noted for its two parallel blades and often has a ground pin. |
Birdie "FS-" Lamp
Lamp type for birdies is dependent on the fixture, but the birdies at SU use screw base (E17) lamps. They come in a variety of beam diameters:
FSA/FSC - Spot (14*); 75W/100W
FSB/FSE - NFL, Narrow Flood (24*); 75W/100W
FSD/FSF - FLD, Flood (38*); 75W/100W
Lamps may or may not have a lens on them depending on beam spread.
Eiko no longer produces these lamps, Ushio still produces these lamps.
FSA/FSC - Spot (14*); 75W/100W
FSB/FSE - NFL, Narrow Flood (24*); 75W/100W
FSD/FSF - FLD, Flood (38*); 75W/100W
Lamps may or may not have a lens on them depending on beam spread.
Eiko no longer produces these lamps, Ushio still produces these lamps.
Copyright Caleb Stroman 2023
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