ARRI ARRISUN 12 Plus

Last Updated 2 days ago

Overview

This is the legacy 1200 W ARRISUN 12 Plus, not an ARRISUN 18 or an M18. Similar power connectors, cases or rental shorthand do not make those heads optically or electrically identical. The original datasheet and operating manual describe the original fixture; the ARRISUN 12 rental listing provides a separate inventory reference and product image.

Key specifications

Specification	Details
Fixture type	1200 W daylight PAR with converter lenses
Specified lamp	HMI 1200 W/SE, G38 base
Lamp operating voltage in original sheet	100 V; this is not the ballast’s mains input rating
Nominal colour in original sheet	6000 K; actual lamp type, age and operation determine measured colour
Front lens diameter	250 mm
Mount	28 mm junior spigot
Barn-door / filter sizes	344 mm / 335 mm in the original sheet
Listed scrim set	330 mm
Converter lens examples	9° spot; 10° × 20° narrow flood; 20° × 40° flood; 58° super flood; frosted super flood
Ballast examples	Approved 1200 W magnetic and EB 575/1200 electronic arrangements; exact version controls supply and modes
Packed dimensions / mass in original sheet	530 × 530 × 620 mm / 15 kg shipping mass; not a verified bare-head weight
Environmental rating	IP23; apply the complete system’s operating instructions
Manual limits	45°C maximum ambient, 140°C maximum exterior surface, tilt ±90°
Operating-distance warning	Original manual includes a 6 m warning; follow its complete clearance instructions

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• A hard daylight source supports throw, bounce and large diffusion.
• Matched ballast options support production control.

Limitations

• Lamp, reflector or lens and ballast must be specified as a complete system.
• High-speed performance depends on the actual lamp, ballast mode and camera test.

Practical uses

The reflector and converter lens make a compact hard source that can be aimed into a bounce or through a diffusion frame. Once the light is bounced or diffused, the effective source size becomes the illuminated surface rather than the diameter of the PAR head. Allow for modifier losses and the distance from that surface to the subject.

A Fresnel changes its field with a continuous focus mechanism, while the conventional ARRISUN PAR relies on its lens set for major beam changes. Missing converter lenses substantially limit a used kit. Inspect each lens for cracks, correct identity and secure retention, and do not improvise an operating configuration with required protective glass removed.

Setup	Working approach
Window or exterior push	Choose beam coverage and throw before calculating the required circuit and rig.
Large diffusion	Meter the useful lit area after diffusion and allow for transmission loss.

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Output and colour

The original accessory sheet lists the following converter lenses. Choose the lens for the required coverage at the actual working distance. Rectangular angle pairs describe an asymmetric field; rotating the suitable lens changes its orientation. These angles are not illuminance measurements.

Lens	Published nominal angle	Practical consideration
Spot	9°	Concentrated coverage for a small target or long throw
Narrow flood	10° × 20°	Unequal width and height; orientation matters
Flood	20° × 40°	Broader asymmetric coverage
Super flood	58°	Wider coverage with lower centre concentration
Frosted super flood	Listed without a separate angle	Additional beam smoothing; check the actual lens marking

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Power and batteries

The original datasheet’s 100 V entry describes the lamp. The external ballast provides the operating conditions and high-voltage ignition required by the discharge system. The head cannot simply be connected to 100 V mains or an ordinary household dimmer.

ARRI’s Basic ballast poster lists an EB 575/1200 variant with 90–130 V or 180–250 V mains input, 50/60 Hz, and a 1350 VA maximum line-power rating. Other versions have different figures: the ETL entry, for example, is listed separately. Use the nameplate and manual for the actual ballast, including connector, circuit loading and protective earth.

The 1200 W lamp rating therefore does not establish a ten-amp mains load on every 120 V system. Magnetic ballasts, electronic ballasts and the historical battery-ballast options in the accessory sheet are separate packages. A compatible cable connector alone is not proof that an arbitrary ballast or higher-wattage lamp is approved.

Control, cooling and camera operation

The original sheet specifies 6000 K, rather than a universal fixed 5600 K. Measure the installed lamp after it has reached a stable condition, particularly when matching other HMIs or LED fixtures. Lamp age, glass and any correction filters affect the result, and extra output claimed for another head does not establish this model’s colour or photometrics.

The matching Basic electronic ballast documentation describes 75 Hz flicker-free and 50/60 Hz low-noise modes, with 50–100% nominal lamp-power adjustment. Treat those as features of the identified ballast. They do not guarantee every legacy rental package has dimming, remote control or high-speed capability. Test the actual camera frame rate and shutter with the selected ballast mode.

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Modifiers, rigging and the working package

The manufacturer operating manual requires intact safety glass and an operational safety switch; it prohibits bridging the interlock. Disconnect the head from its power arrangement before relamping, allow cooling and keep the enclosure complete. A bright discharge arc is not safe to expose because the front still appears to light normally.

The manual includes a six-metre operating warning and separate clearance data. Use its complete instructions and the actual unit label; do not reduce the working distance by copying one isolated number from an online listing. Keep ventilation clear and use the correct mounting, safety retention and permissible tilt. IP23 does not make the head, ballast and connections an unrestricted waterproof system.

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Alternatives and related fixtures

Fixture	Choose it for
ARRI M-Series	Compare the exact lamp class, reflector and compatible ballast.
High-output LED spotlight	A different power, dimming and modifier system; compare coverage as well as centre lux.

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What people are saying

Bill Holshevnikoff: the ARRISUN format

Bill Holshevnikoff presents the ARRISUN 12 in ARRI’s training series. It is useful context for the conventional HMI PAR format, whose spread lenses form part of the working optical package. View the source.

Videos

ARRI ARRISUN 12 Plus: family guide

A demonstration or system guide; use the exact model’s lamp and ballast documentation.

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Rental and used-fixture checks

Identify the exact head, lamp, ballast and cables first. Inspect the reflector, protective glass, converter lenses, lamp socket, door catch/interlock, accessory latch, yoke and spigot. Damaged cable insulation, scorched contacts or missing lens retainers need service before an operating test. Check lamp seating after transport as instructed.

The archived 15 kg figure is a shipping weight, so do not use it as the bare-head load when designing a rig. Establish the actual head and accessory mass. A complete lens set, compatible scrims, barn doors, safe cabling and a healthy ballast can be worth more than a cheap incomplete head. Compare any replacement fixture at the required beam size, throw and complete package cost.

Check the exact type plate, lamp code, input voltage, mounting hardware and complete power package. Inspect protective glass, lamp holders, connectors and all retaining parts. Test the intended control and camera settings with the actual supplied unit.

Documentation and specifications

Original ARRI ARRISUN 12 Plus product and accessory sheet, original ARRI operating manual, ARRI Basic ballast technical data and exact-family rental listing and photograph.

Product photograph: Ljud & Bildmedia ARRISUN 12 rental photograph.

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