Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona, had an auditorium lighting problem that started with the ceiling height. Many of the fixtures were difficult to reach, so even a routine lamp change could turn into a larger maintenance job.
This RETRO Series LED retrofit used Canto USA houselights to create a more even auditorium wash and reduce fixture maintenance needs. The project addressed both illumination gaps and the logistical challenges of high-mounted houselights.
Finding the Right Retrofit Solution
Dobson High School worked with Clearwing Systems Integration to improve the auditorium lighting. Clearwing recommended Canto USA’s RETRO Series LED products for the existing system.
The finished installation used three RETRO-Classic® models: 39 RETRO-Classic® 700s, 11 RETRO-Classic® 500s, and 34 RETRO-Classic® 300s, all at 3000 K.
Improving Light Distribution Across the Auditorium
Using three output levels gave Clearwing room to work with the auditorium as it was. The RETRO-Classic® 700s were used where more output was needed, while the 500 and 300 models fit areas that did not require as much light. That mix helped bring the darker, can-free section of the ceiling closer to the light levels in the rest of the auditorium.
The end result of the RETRO Series LED retrofit was more even light that blended the area previously without cans back in with the rest of the auditorium. That makes a difference in a room that may host a theater production one night, a concert the next, and an assembly or rehearsal during the school day.
Reduced Maintenance
The LED conversion also addressed the maintenance problem that started the project. With fixtures mounted high above the floor, changing lamps could require a lift, extra labor, and time when the auditorium was available for maintenance. Longer-lasting LED technology reduces how often crews have to make that trip to the ceiling.
At Dobson High School, the mix of RETRO-Classic® 700, 500, and 300 units helped fill in the darker section of the auditorium without treating every fixture the same. It also meant the school could update those hard-to-reach houselights without changing the entire layout overhead.
Canto USA’s RETRO Series Fully Dimmable LED Retrofit Houselights
Canto USA is proud to present our RETRO series. The RETRO-Fusion® 2.0 and RETRO-Passive® 2.0 are 0-100% phase dimmable (forward and reverse) variable wattage LED 2700K-6500K 80-97 CRI engines. They are designed for older SCR, TRIAC, and IGBT dimmer systems but are compatible with newer dimmer systems.
A direct replacement of existing lamps, our LED retrofit can be used in a wide range of applications or even new installations. Custom and standard mounting options are available.
Project highlights
- Models installed: 39 × RETRO-Classic® 700, 11 × RETRO-Classic® 500, 34 × RETRO-Classic® 300 (all 3000 K)
- Primary goals: even light distribution and reduced maintenance for high-mounted houselights
- Outcome: more uniform auditorium wash and fewer lamp-change events due to LED longevity
Related project: Red Mountain High School Auditorium Retrofit for Mesa Public Schools.
