Last Updated 2 hours ago
Overview
The Six-Light Molefay uses three columns of two 650 W PAR36 lamps. With daylight FAY spots at 20 ft, the wide setting covers 25.4 × 7 ft at 205 fc. Bringing the beams together gives 465 fc over 9 × 6.4 ft.
Key specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Head rating | 3,900 W maximum |
| Supply and full-load current | 120 V AC or DC, 32.5 A maximum |
| Lamp contacts | Spring-loaded ferrule contacts |
| Switches | Six head-mounted switches, one per lamp |
| Mount | Cast-aluminium yoke, removable 1⅛ in. pin |
| Body dimensions | 14⅛ × 4⅜ in. in two axes. Published figures for the third are 11⅛ and 16⅛ in. |
| Weight | 17 lb with cable |
Replacement lamps
| PAR36 lamp | Rated power and voltage | Colour and beam | Rated life |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAY | 650 W, 120 V | Dichroic daylight spot | 30 h |
| FCX | 650 W, 120 V | 3,200 K medium | 100 h |
| FCW | 650 W, 120 V | 3,200 K wide | 100 h |
Look up the individual lamp codes for FAY, FCX, FCW.
Strengths and limitations
- The three columns can overlap for greater intensity or spread across a wide backing. Six switches allow individual lamps to be taken out of the pattern.
- A wide bank of bare globes can cast several shadows at close range. A bounce or diffusion frame changes the shadow pattern and reduces the level at the subject.
Practical uses
For a tungsten wash across a backing, the FCX medium floods give 150 fc at 20 ft at maximum width. At minimum width they give 375 fc. Choose the width for the backing first, then meter the centre and the ends.
Output and photometrics
Centre-beam output in foot-candles with 650 W, 120 V lamps. All lamps are on. Maximum and minimum refer to the width of the field as the modules pivot. In the original chart, the field boundary is where the intensity falls to roughly half the centre reading.
| Lamp and beam setting | 5 ft | 10 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft | 30 ft | 40 ft | 50 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAY daylight spot · maximum width | 3,000 | 810 | 360 | 205 | 90 | 50 | 30 |
| FAY daylight spot · minimum width | 7,260 | 1,860 | 825 | 465 | 205 | 115 | 75 |
| FCX tungsten medium · maximum width | 2,200 | 600 | 265 | 150 | 65 | 40 | 25 |
| FCX tungsten medium · minimum width | 5,530 | 1,500 | 670 | 375 | 165 | 95 | 60 |
| FCW tungsten wide · maximum width | 1,240 | 320 | 140 | 80 | 35 | 20 | 15 |
| FCW tungsten wide · minimum width | 2,500 | 630 | 275 | 155 | 70 | 40 | 25 |
Original manufacturer chart with beam width and height.
Photometric & exposure calculator
Estimate centre-beam illumination and the corresponding camera aperture from this fixture’s published measurements.
Estimated output
Select a configuration to calculate.
Manufacturer readings are for the stated optic, colour setting and full output, measured at the beam centre. Values between measured distances are interpolated. Point-source values outside those distances are approximate inverse-square estimates; large sources cannot be reliably extrapolated and are limited to their measured range. Exposure uses frame rate, shutter angle, ISO and the selected incident-meter calibration. Only the optics and diffusion explicitly listed in the measurement are included; additional modifiers, bounce, beam edges, ambient light, ND filters and camera exposure-index differences are not accounted for. Confirm critical exposures on set with a meter. Photometric source
Power and controls
Mole lists a 3 ft entertainment lead with a 60 A Bates connector and a maximum draw of 32.5 A at 120 V. The original sheet also offered a choice of plug. Confirm the fitted connector when booking.
Optics and mounting
Type 5595 shields and holder, Type 5594 diffuser frame. Each lamp has its own Type 55416 retainer. Confirm that the frame comes with the matching holders.
Comparable fixture
The six-lamp Molepar takes larger PAR64 globes and has its own 6 kW rating and photometric chart. Six-Light Molepar (Type 5761).
Field coverage and further reading
The product page and the original spec sheet disagree on one body dimension. Check the actual head before relying on its width for a case or a tight set opening. Original Type 5591 specification sheet.
Rental and used-fixture checks
Request the head cable, the 5595 holders and the 5594 frame. The historical rental package included a 25 ft head cable in addition to the head and lamps.