The Un-maintained Light
Keeping your church's lighting in top shape is crucial for creating powerful worship experiences. This guide covers the essentials of maintaining both modern and conventional lighting fixtures, ensuring your sanctuary stays bright and your live streams look their best.
Spotting the Need for a Lighting Tune-up
As a worship leader or production director, you're the first line of defense against dimming lights. Here's what to look out for:
- Dust build-up on filters and lenses (it's more common than you think!)
- Spotty or dirty lenses that can affect the quality of your lighting
- Fans that might be struggling due to dust accumulation
- A general dimness that wasn't there before
These issues can pop up whether you're in a state-of-the-art sanctuary or a more traditional setting. And if you're using haze for special services, know that it can accelerate these problems.
Keeping Your Lights Shining Bright
When it's time for maintenance, focus on these key areas:
- Give those filters and lenses a good cleaning - it's amazing how much brighter things can get
- Check the insides for dust and give them a careful clean
- For newer fixtures, keep an eye on lamp hours through the built-in menu
- Make sure all parts are tight and secure - loose bits can cause big problems
For your conventional lights, pay extra attention to reflectors and lamps. Some fixtures have multiple lenses, so don't forget to clean them all.
When Your Lights Are Struggling
If you're working with older, conventional lights, they can't tell you when they're struggling. Look out for:
- A noticeable drop in brightness during your services
- A gradual dimming over time - this could be dust or a lamp on its way out
Regular check-ups on your lighting can make a world of difference. It'll keep your worship space looking its best, whether it's for your in-person congregation or your online community tuning in to live streams. Plus, it'll save you from those last-minute lighting emergencies right before a big service!
PRG Proshop is a leading resource for used and professionally maintained production equipment with the gear and expertise to elevate your events and work within your budget. They are passionate about building relationships with church production teams and provide expert guidance every step of the way. Learn more at prg-proshop.com.