Getting Your Sidel Heating Lamps Right
If you’re running a PET blowing line, you know the drill. If your thermal profiles are off, everything goes downhill. We’ve spent a lot of time figuring out exactly how to build replacement lamps that actually fit Sidel machines—everything from those old-school SBO units to the newer Matrix series. The best part? You don’t need a drill or a toolbox full of adapters. They just slide right in. Let’s talk power. Sidel ovens use high-wattage shortwave infrared lamps to get those preforms soft and ready, and they do it fast. But here’s the tricky part: voltage swings. Whether you’re running 230V or 400V, that filament temperature has to stay rock solid. If the wattage is even a tiny bit off—we’re talking 5%—you’ll start seeing uneven walls in your bottles. It’s a headache you don’t need. That’s why we match the original OEM wattage. Your PID controllers won’t trip, and your bottles will actually look the way they’re supposed to. Built to take the heat. We use heavy-wall quartz glass. Why? Because thin glass bows when it gets hot. We stick with R7s or Sk15 connectors because they can handle the metal pins expanding and contracting without losing the electrical connection. Some of our tubes even have a special coating. It pushes the heat toward the plastic and keeps it away from the oven walls. It’s just smarter. A few tips for the install. You can swap these out without messing with your wiring or reflectors. It’s a straight shot. But a word of caution: if you decide to go with higher wattage to speed up your cycle times, keep an eye on your cooling blowers. More heat means your ventilation has to work harder, or you risk frying your electronics. And please,**make sure the lamp is seated perfectly in the socket.**A loose pin will arc, and you’ll end up burning through a brand new lamp in a matter of hours. Not a great way to spend a Tuesday.