nonotmethanks
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2006
- Messages
- 33
I have been reading posts over the past weeks looking for ideas on improving camcorder lighting for personal use underground. I would like to have 3 hours runtime under 8 lbs. for less than $200.
I have read several ideas but nothing is a great match so thought I would try a post. I am fairly electronics savy but have not worked with optoelectronics. I would much prefer a bought solution instead of ground-up homebrew.
The areas are rarely more than 20X40 feet. Certainly dirty with occasional moisture but not wet. Weight is not a great concern since equipment is backpacked but wouldn't want to lug more than 8 lbs. - with the other equipment everything becomes much heavier after a couple hours!
The Amondotech Illuminator 35 Watt HID Searchlight could work with an extra battery if the beam was not so narrow. The "hot spot" of the light would cause many video exposure issues so have to diffuse the light somehow. I don't know how that could be done (and safely for the light). Also don't know how much bumping the H.I.D. bulb can take if the backpack/light has to be dragged through an opening.
Keeping the battery power in the backpack is easy to do - also thought of using 10 NiMH 11000mah D-cells in a PVC walking stick for 12 volts and also mounting some sort of LED/reflector/heatsink arrangment.
I currently use Princeton-Tec Apex headlights and a handheld spot that I put an automobile halogen in. Two small 4AH lead acid give only about 1 1/2 hours usable time.
Thanks for any suggestions!
I have read several ideas but nothing is a great match so thought I would try a post. I am fairly electronics savy but have not worked with optoelectronics. I would much prefer a bought solution instead of ground-up homebrew.
The areas are rarely more than 20X40 feet. Certainly dirty with occasional moisture but not wet. Weight is not a great concern since equipment is backpacked but wouldn't want to lug more than 8 lbs. - with the other equipment everything becomes much heavier after a couple hours!
The Amondotech Illuminator 35 Watt HID Searchlight could work with an extra battery if the beam was not so narrow. The "hot spot" of the light would cause many video exposure issues so have to diffuse the light somehow. I don't know how that could be done (and safely for the light). Also don't know how much bumping the H.I.D. bulb can take if the backpack/light has to be dragged through an opening.
Keeping the battery power in the backpack is easy to do - also thought of using 10 NiMH 11000mah D-cells in a PVC walking stick for 12 volts and also mounting some sort of LED/reflector/heatsink arrangment.
I currently use Princeton-Tec Apex headlights and a handheld spot that I put an automobile halogen in. Two small 4AH lead acid give only about 1 1/2 hours usable time.
Thanks for any suggestions!