A Relic - Streamlite 1Million

[lapsmith]

I just bought this old HID flashlight at a government (NASA) auction. It wasn't working when I got it, but I traced the circuit and replaced two components and now it is okay. It has a very powerful beam. It uses an external battery pack (12V SLA) Here is a link to the only info I found on it

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20030001731_2002160203.pdf

So I have a few questions about it:

1. How old could it be?
2. It has a 3 position switch, "off", "flash" and "on". The positions aren't labeled, but that's what happens when I put the switch in the middle position - it flashes on and off about once a second. I'm wondering if it is supposed to flash, or if there is something else wrong with it.
3. Is it worth anything on the used market, should I decide to upgrade to a newer model?
4. The power supply emits a high frequency whine, but I noticed one of the big capacitors has leaked...could that cause the noise?

Thanks for any info on this.
Tom

 

[Patriot]

:welcome:

Those are really neat and a nice piece of HID history. One CPF member has two or three of them. I believe they're from the early 80's but I'm not positive. I'll try searching the threads to see if I can find the discussion about them.

As far as value goes, sure if you find the right person it may be worth over $100 bucks.

 

[larryk]

A couple of years ago there was one on Ebay. The second photo in your link. I called Streamlite for some info on it before I bid, and no one at Streamlite knew about it.

 

[watt4]

nice. old school.

 

[M@elstrom]

The power supply emits a high frequency whine, but I noticed one of the big capacitors has leaked...could that cause the noise?

HID lights normally whine whilst they warm up (so to speak), but if this unit continues to noticeably whine I would imagine so, regardless I'd be replacing that bad capacitor pronto, why let your investment deteriorate when you could have prevented it? :thumbsup:



BTW nice find... ugly but historical at the same time!

 

[lapsmith]

Thanks for the responses! Yes, it is kind of neat, although the separate battery pack is big and heavy as it includes a built in charger, not to mention all that lead. The light unit has a built in thermally controlled cooling fan as well.

I'm strictly a novice as far as HID's, but the beam lit up a house across the lake about 1,000 yards away. I ordered a replacement capacitor.

But now I'm hooked and want to get a modern one as well, maybe the Tactical HID that I read about in another thread. Oh, I had also called Streamlight about it, looking for a schematic, but they couldn't help. But the person I spoke to said it was covered by their lifetime warranty...maybe I could get a replacement e.g. their HID LiteBox - it's still lighter than the one I have


Cheers,
Tom

 

[Richie086]

Beam shots please

 

[ampdude]

If you get a modern replacement, I'd love to see beamshots of both and what you think of the overall performance of each!

 

[lapsmith]

Will do!

 

[Patriot]

If you want a "super-thrower" the Litebox is definitely one of the very best in the 35W class of lights. It's one of the few than can throw too 1000 yards or beyond in the right conditions.

 

[Juggernaut]

BTW nice find... ugly but historical at the same time!

Ugly:thinking:? UGLY! This is pure beauty! Forget historical value:laughing:, this light screams old school heavy duty strength:rock: "the kind you get when new technology is developed and manufactures don't quite know how many corners they can cut before a product is efficient:shrug:, thus they seriously over build them "my style"! if you ever want to part with this light, honestly I'd be willing to buy it. PM me if so.

 

[Patriot]

Sounds like you've got a buyer Lapsmith.