This page has the instructions for:

•  setting up and taking down the St Mungo's lights.  
• It also includes a section on the safe use of ladders 
• and on changing the bulbs.

For a printer friendly copy of the manual click here   could take a few minutes to download the file is 2.4MB.

You will need Adobe Acrobat to read it. You can get a free copy here

Where the Lights are

The light stands are in the cupboard in the drama studio. The cables, dimmer and  lights are in the understairs cupboard with the PA in a plastic box. The ladders are in this cupboard too.

What they look Like

Set-up

1)     First set up the stands and attach the lanterns whilst they are in easy reach. One lantern should have a coloured plastic square in the front and the other plain. 

2)     Pull out the 4 shutters on each lantern (green in diagram) fully.

3)     Move the stands into position in front of the pillars to the left and right of the front of the stage. They will be beside a set of speakers. Make sure there is enough space between the pillar and the lantern that the lantern can be moved about without colliding with the pillar

4)     Plug the dimmer box into the power point in front of the toilets (the one on the corner is still dodgy).

5)     Attach the cables to the lights (one 10m and one 20m so get them the right way round to reach the dimmer box).

6)     Make sure the stands are stable. The three small “outriggers” on the tripod legs should be horizontal. This puts the legs at their widest spread. The  legs should be on the floor but the central vertical pole should NOT. 

7)     Tape to the top of the stand the cable that comes from the lantern, so that the weight of the plug is not pulling down on the back of the lantern. Keeping the plug as close to the top of the stand as possible will mean that there is still plenty of slack available when you focus the lantern.

8)     Extend the stand to its maximum possible height (11 foot) and make sure all bolts are tightened.

9)     Using the ladders ( - carefully!) attach the chain through the yoke of the lantern (blue on the diagram) and round the pillar.

10) Switch the lights on and adjust to light the stage and the worship leaders and singers (see separate note on focusing) be careful where small worship leaders may be followed by tall some evenings!!.

11) Tape down all the cables and put ladders back in the cupboard. They should not be needed for take down.

 Take down

1)     Switch off the lights asap to maximise the cooling down period. Allow at least 5 minutes before lowering the stands or moving the lanterns as the bulbs are at their most fragile when hot. 

2)     Untape cables and coil carefully and put in box with dimmer.

3)     Push all 4 shutters on each lantern (green in diagram) fully back in to avoid them getting bent during storage

4)     Put lights on top of box and store carefully where things are not going to land on top of them

Notes on the safe use of ladders

• If you are at all uncomfortable climbing up ladders - DON’T. Find someone who is happy to do so and ask them to.
• Do not overstretch. If you can’t reach something without leaning towards it, get down and move the ladders.
• When used free standing, in ‘A frame’ mode, there are two locking catches, one on each side of the ladders, near the top. Ensure that both of these are firmly pressed down.
• The St. Mungo’s lights are most easily reached with the ladders fully extended and leant against the green pillar. Always have someone footing the bottom of the ladders to prevent them from slipping when using them in this way.
• Never stand on the top rung.
• Put ladders away when you’re finished with them – this will help to prevent children playing with them and hurting themselves.

Focusing Lanterns

1)     Get the stand in position with the lantern wired up and the ladders ready

2)     Turn off as many of the other lights in the room as you can (without upsetting other people who may still be working).

3)     Turn the lamp on, using the controls on the dimmer.

4)     Carefully climb the ladders until you can reach the lantern easily.

5)     Ensure that all four shutters (green on diagram) are pulled fully out.

6)     Move the lantern so that the worship leader’s head is in the centre of the beam.

7)     Use the zoom and focus sliders (red on the diagram) to get the beam slightly larger than the stage area and very slightly out of focus.

8)     If any light spills onto the area in front of the stage. Push the top shutter (green on diagram) in until it masks out this light.

9)     If any light spills onto the OHP screen, push one of the side shutters in until it masks this. (Note, the left shutter will affect the right hand side of the stage, the right shutter will effect the left hand side of the stage).

10) If you are unsure as to exactly where the light is shining, move your hand about directly in front of it and watch where the moving shadow is.

11) Turn off one lamp before attempting to focus the other one.

To Put in a New Lamp

If time is scarce, use one less lantern for the service and do this latter.

If there is time:

1)     Unplug the lantern

2)     Undo the two screws on the back (yellow in diagram) and remove the whole back panel.

3)     Using a cloth, pull out the old lamp (there are no catches, just pull)

4)     Using a cloth, push in the new lamp, it will only fit properly one way round. Never touch the glass on the lamp directly as grease  from your body will cause hot patches and reduce it’s life dramatically (everybody has grease on their fingers, even if you’ve just washed your hands….)

5)     Re-attach the back panel and tighten the two screws.

6)     Test by plugging in and turning on.

7)     Shine the light at a wall and use the zoom and focus controls to achieve the smallest possible beam size, very sharply focused.

8)     There are three knobs on the back of the lantern, arranged in a triangle, between the screws for removing the back cover. Adjust these until the “hot spot” (brightest part of the beam) is as unnoticeable as possible. (They are interlocked – moving one will automatically adjust the others).

9)     Do not throw the old lamp away. Leave it in the crate.

10) Inform Mike Scurfield or Lesley Penny if a lamp has been changed, or if any faults or problems occur with the lighting equipment.

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to enquiries@stmungos.org 
St Mungo's Church Balerno, Scottish Charity Number SC018114
Copyright © 2008St Mungo's Balerno. All rights reserved.
Last modified: Monday August 04, 2008.