AN/VSS-1 Searchlight

[bd4377]

I have a military infrared searchlight:

Searchlight, Infrared
AN/VSS - 1(v)2
ID # SC-D-613825-4
Ser # 0171
MSN 5855-00-137-8289

I would like to sell, dont know where to find someone interested. Does anyone have a starting point for me?

[BVH]

Trying to figure out why you posted your question here when "here" is where all the info you could ever want to know is located?

[bd4377]

I've got an AN/VSS-1(V)2 searchlight for sale. Reading all the posts has made me realize that working on light maybe a little out of my skill set!

[CarbonArc]

Its been awhile since my last contributions to CPF but i was wondering how anyone is making out with their AN/VSS-1 lights, been looking to sell mine for quite some time now seeing as its taking up too much space in the garage, i will get some pics and post them on the WTS forum!!! let me know if anyone has any updates!

[IgNITEor]

Yep, a VSS-1 and all of it's associated hardware does take up some space in
an average residential garage!
Thank the industrial revolution for affordable dolly's.

If I didn't "work" the Death Ray for two weeks of the summer, it too would
be in trouble.

Leaving for the Black Rock desert in T-minus: 4 days, 20 hours, 30 mins.


Your rig looks very clean. If it wasn't for CarbonArc's thread on this fabulous
apparatus, where would we be today?

[Bill, Idaho]

I pull my VSS-1 around on a military M103A2 trailer, behind my 5 ton M54A2C. I am trying to finish my little brother to the VSS-1, my VSS-3 on a M116A2 trailer. (I might get another VSS-1 and make the bigger trailer a twin-mount.) It should look pretty neat when done. The actual light is about 1/3 the size of the -1, the trailer is about half the size of the bigger one, and the generator I plan on using is about half-scale as well. (I'm more then likely going to have to buy a duece-and-a-half, so I have a truck about half the size of my 5 ton to drag it around.) If I had any web-fu skills, I would post some pictures.

If I could only find a 600-1000 watt bulb and matching ballast...............

[Bill, Idaho]

One step forward--two steps back.
I finished the trailer the other day. Paint, wiring, stencils, top, etc. It looks like new! I tossed a GI 1500 watt,110 VAC generator up on it and I'm ready for some portable sunshine.
So after reading on a thread here somewhere about a suitable ballast- a Lumatek 110 VAC dimmable 1000 watt unit was decided upon, UNTIL I read the fine print and it says "do not run off of a generator...".
So, I thought I was a little closer, only to find.....
not.

[johngilmour]

I think I have sen this truck in use in Boston- superbright.

[Watts Up!]

I would LOVE to find me a complete running VSS-3 one of these days.

[Bill, Idaho]

As I've mentioned before, you just have to know where to look. I go to military vehicle meets/shows, and more often than not there are VSS-1's and VSS-3's for sale. Compared to some of the prices I see, they are somewhat cheaper at those places.

[GSS]

A good source for military connectors is William Perry in Louisville, KY. He is not real good with email and does not have much of a web presence, but you can reach him at 502/893-8724

He has sold me several sets of connectors for VSS-3A lights.

Dave Ross N7EPI

[GSS]

Many cellular telephone towers have equipment that runs off 28 VDC. Lots of older power supplies are removed from service and sold at surplus prices when a cell site is upgraded.

The older power supplies are not as efficient as the newer power supply designs and are removed and sold off even though they still work fine - the more efficient supplies pay for themselves pretty quick given that they are running full-time at close to full capacity.

The slightly lower efficiency of the older supplies doesn't bother me at all considering the low purchase price and how little I use the supply.

You might watch your local newspaper or craigslist, look for industrial surplus for sale. I found a 28 Volt 280 Amp. power supply for cheap, because it was too large (!) for most hobbyists.

happy hunting
Dave Ross N7EPI

[lightjeep]

Are spare bulbs available for the vss-1 or GSS-14 ?? How much? Who has them? Thanks in advance

[IgNITEor]

And.....just in case someone may be looking A ready- to-mount GSS version.
Looks like this model may be the basic mount without the lighted azimuth indicator.

And the seller says they'll be listing a 30" model soon?
Could this mean the water-cooled TVS-3?

Happy Holidays everyone!

[BravoKilo]

I bought my VSS-3 from him. That listing has been up for a while, I am kind of surprised that it has not yet been taken.... It has been relisted about 3 times now. And I also see that he is listing 10 of these 10!!!! I feel a hole burning in my wallet!!!

[BravoKilo]

Oops, wrong thread, sorry.....

[IgNITEor]

That's alright, cuz we seem to want each other's BIG lights from time to time! Wish my -1 could focus like yours!
Now I'm gonna jump to your thread an see what you've gotten yourself into lately

[BravoKilo]

Oh - I am in a me$$ if you know what I mean. And seeing those VSS-1's.... Since given the opportunity of running one for a few hours this summer I have been bitten! It is perhaps the most useless of hobbies (not like owning a 20" reflector telescope), but I get it - these are fun to play with!!! Did somebody say 30"????

[BVH]

IIRC, those 30" water-cooled lights have internal bulb pressures in the 4-figure PSI range. Scarey stuff! I looked at buying one a few years ago but decided against it. To dangerous. Igniteor, do you have -1 focusing issues?

[IgNITEor]

Good Morning!
Actually, I didn't describe that correctly. I'm referring to the adjustable beam-spread the -3 has vs. fixed with the -1
However, when I removed the reflector for the deep cleaning ritual, I mistakenly replaced it upside down. The beam has a slight
deviation now and the mounting bolt doesn't torque down all the way!

This might explain the metallic sticker I found being used as a shim. Pretty sure that's not allowed by Army spec's.

[BVH]

Hey IgNITEor, there's a lot of 7 ea., VSS/GSS ignitor boxes on Ebay starting at $150, BIN for $400.

ww.ebay.com/itm/AN-VSS-1-GSS-14-igniter-military-2-2Kw-xenon-short-art-tank-searchlight-7pcs-/130837399877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e7684 4945

[nealitc]

Hey IgNITEor, there's a lot of 7 ea., VSS/GSS ignitor boxes on Ebay starting at $150, BIN for $400.

ww.ebay.com/itm/AN-VSS-1-GSS-14-igniter-military-2-2Kw-xenon-short-art-tank-searchlight-7pcs-/130837399877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e7684 4945

My listing. LMK if questions (or trade ideas).

[BVH]

I Should have known it'd be a CPF'r

[BVH]

Here's a lamp.

ww.ebay.com/itm/2-2-KW-Xenon-Lamp-Searchlight-Bulb-/281057959994?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41705c 203a

[nealitc]

For those looking for 28V power connectors/cables to hook up a VSS-3 or VSS-1
I got the MS3106E32-5S for $50 at Connector Distribution Corp 310-632-2466
4/2 Type W cable for $2.00/ft (5% discount when you sign up for newsletter) at Wire and Cable To Go 855-880-8010
MeanWell RSP-1500-27 power supplies (115/20A, can be paralleled) for $335 from PowerGate Express

My initial hookup was using 6ga THHN wired to the control box terminal block using ground lugs. Not the most secure or safe connection, but functional for testing.

* no relationship or recommendation to above suppliers, just my experience.

[get-lit]

The date on that lamp is dated 1967. Crazy how little has changed in 46 years.

[BVH]

Not sure i'm understanding why you're referencing the meanwells over the flowtrol rectifiers when the MW will underdrive the VSS's by a full Volt and you'd probably need 4 of them? That 1 Volt makes a big difference in output. The flowtrols are about $150-$175 & are 220/240 V which may be an issue but 120V 20 Amp recepticles are just as difficult to find plus you'd need 4 of them, all home runs to the panel. What am i missing?

[nealitc]

Not sure i'm understanding why you're referencing the meanwells over the flowtrol rectifiers when the MW will underdrive the VSS's by a full Volt and you'd probably need 4 of them? That 1 Volt makes a big difference in output. The flowtrols are about $150-$175 & are 220/240 V which may be an issue but 120V 20 Amp recepticles are just as difficult to find plus you'd need 4 of them, all home runs to the panel. What am i missing?

You're right for the VSS-1, Lorain Flotrol is the way to go. I bought MeanWell first for my VSS-3, drives it at full 28V no problem, and I have 20A circuits everywhere. And it weighs about 5lbs vs. at least 75lbs for the Flotrol.

[BVH]

OK, so rated at 27 but puts out 28V, that makes sense. How many are you using parallel for the VSS-3 and was it $335 each or for the number that you're using?

[nealitc]

OK, so rated at 27 but puts out 28V, that makes sense. How many are you using parallel for the VSS-3 and was it $335 each or for the number that you're using?

RSP-1500-27 output is adjustable 24-30V, rated 56A. $355 each. I'm running just one for a VSS-3 (not A), 28V measured at the control box, about 54A. Ran it for an hour at a time, no issues, ambient was about 70.
I got a Lorain Flotrol (from CPF member modamag) but have not hooked it up yet.