Buy or Build

[Jonathan4786]

Hey, Im new to the forums, and this is my second post, but Im getting real ancy, and tommorow is my birthday. And Im going to buy myself something. So I just want a opinion from the CPF HID guys. Should I buy a automotive HID/Ballast Kit off my local craigslist, and build my own HID Light? I think I should be pretty capable of doing this. Or Just buy a harbor freight/sams HID Light and be done with it. I heard that the Automotive bulbs are usually 35w does anyone know if this Is standard or does it vary?

I worked at a car stereo shop for around 3 years, Installing everything you can think of, and as a second job, I repair car/home electronics. Do you think I would have a tough time building one? Kind of a vauge question. But your opinion thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

 

[Davekan]

Hi jon

I built one Thor to 55w hid. I used H4 Bi-xenon bulb. The room left

in the Thor had th be modifed too much for this to be worth it, unless

you like that sort of stuff.

The lamp is bright, but the beam is very wide, or wide, using that

H4 Bi-xenon bulb.

Dave

 

[Jonathan4786]

Hey Dave, Thanks for the quick reply, That was one of the reason I was worried about making my own HID, I would hate to put hundreds of dollars into a light and end up not happy with it. If you look at a typical car HID, It doesnt make a real good spot, I guess it is not supposed to but seems like finding a good reflector for it would be hard to do.. Guess I'll just have to buy a HID.

Jon

 

[Ra]

Hi Jon,

A few years ago, some CPF-members started to mod big lights with HID, simply because portable (aytomotive-) HID-lights were not commercially avaible then..

But now, times are different: If you accept a 35-watt setup, the big HID's like Costo, Harbor frieght, Sam's or Amondo Tech are the way to go. The only reason (besides the fun!) to mod lights to HID nowadays is the fact that you can squeeze more power into the light, with a 35/50watt boost ballast..

But for someone unexperienced (??), its a lot of work ! And you can buy a good HID-light for $140...

Hope this helps..


Regards,

Ra.

 

[AlexGT]

It was a lot of fun building my own HID spotlight, It's still going strong!

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=116491

AlexGT

 

[KevinL]

The only reason (besides the fun!) to mod lights to HID nowadays is the fact that you can squeeze more power into the light, with a 35/50watt boost ballast..

Or you live outside CONUS and thus cannot source HIDs at any reasonable price. Being told "ships to US only" gets real old, real fast.

I built a really nice thrower out of a auto 35W HID kit and a cheap H3 spotlight.

 

[Ra]

Or you live outside CONUS and thus cannot source HIDs at any reasonable price.

You're right!! I forgot to mention that...


Ra.