GSS-14 Xenon Searchlight

1958 M274

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
4
Location
GA
New member here with a Xenon searchlight. Here are some pictures:
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/EL_14_Jan_2007_046.jpg

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/EL_14_Jan_2007_048.jpg

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/EL_14_Jan_2007_047.jpg

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/EL_14_Jan_2007_049.jpg

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/EL_14_Jan_2007_051.jpg

As you can see, it's still dirty from the previous owners barn... I have since cleaned it up and have the generator running nicely. Before I try to power up the light I was wondering: Are batteries necessary or can I run it directly off of the 3KW generator? Does anyone have a manual for this light? All of the controls are labeled except for a momentary toggle switch on the bottom of the control box. Any ideas on what this might be? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Joe
 

Sig229

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Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
37
I so wanna play with it.

Can you get somemore information off of the unit, Make, model number etc.?

Bill
 

Illum

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Apr 29, 2006
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Location
Central Florida, USA
Last edited:

tvodrd

*Flashaholic* ,
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Dec 13, 2002
Messages
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Location
Hawthorne, NV
Welcome to CPF, 1958 M274, and cool first post!! The searchlight is the AN/VSS-1 and was also tank mounted. Several of us have one, and I still working on a tripod mount for mine. There are several threads regarding them in this sub board, and if it wasn't so late, I'd post links. I'm leaving town tomorrow for a couple days, maybe when I get back.

Edit: A lot of info here

Larry
 
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1958 M274

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
4
Location
GA
Thanks for the replies! Here is a close up of the data plate on the light itself.
EL_14_Jan_2007_050.jpg

The light itself is the same as a VSS-1, but in this configuration with the mount and controls the way they are it is designated GSS-14. This unit is vietnam era, and was overhauled by the USMC in the 1980's.

I spent about an hour yesterday looking over the previous threads about these military lights. It seems like I remember reading these do not have a big spike in current when turned on? I would think a light this powerful would draw a lot of current on startup, but I am not very familiar with xenon short arc bulbs. Also, a friend has a VSS-3 for us. We'll be getting it this June when we go to see him in Arkansas, if he does not bring it when he comes this way first.
Thanks again!
Joe
 

ShortArc

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Dec 8, 2005
Messages
443
Location
Massachusetts
At 3kW there is not much headroom. I would consider batteries inline with the generator. Also overdrive will be a problem.

Cheers.
 

1958 M274

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
4
Location
GA
WOW!!
grinser2.gif


After a few phone calls last night to CarbonArc, I got it to light. (Thanks again for the help John!) Very impressive! The light works great, although something is wrong with the generator so I powered it from another 24V source. We tried taking some pictures, but did not have the camera on the proper setting. Maybe I'll try again tonight. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments.
Joe
 

CarbonArc

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Nov 8, 2005
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Location
Salfordville PA
I think you mush have meant ShortArc... i DIDNT GET ANY PHONE CALLS LAST NIGHT:awman: ahhaha but anyway feel free to call me as well i have a vss1 up and running on a trasiler rig. I would definitely rccomend batteries in combination with the genset
 

1958 M274

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
4
Location
GA
Oops, sorry for the confusion. It is billhess that I have spoken with on the phone a few times. I went out last night to try the light again and it would not come on...
awman.gif


Darn! I had figured out how to use the night time mode on the camera and was really excited. Another couple calls to John and I had the bulb out. There is some oxidation on the contacts that I will clean tomorrow and try it again. Here are a couple of pictures of the VSS-3 and control box we are getting:

100_0298.jpg

100_0304.jpg


Also, here are a couple pictures of our auxiliary power sources...
GAMVPA_Meeting_20_Jan_07_003.jpg

GAMVPA_Meeting_20_Jan_07_001.jpg

Thanks for suggestions!
Joe
 
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