DIY HID Box Help

[SargeRX8]

Well I want a HID box/torch thing. Basically power source will be a boxed off unit and only two wires coming out of it to the glove.

After alot of ooo and aaaing at the pictures of beam shots I checked a few sites and started waaaing after seeing the prices.

So i said HEY! Ill make my own. I can get my hands on a 35w HID kit for a car no worries but I have two problems.

1) The reflector. Does it have to be aluminium? My mate has HID's in his car and his car uses a non metal reflector and it doesnt look like its melting or discolouring. So basically my concern is: does the HID bulb produce enough heat to damage the reflector(I wont have the light on for more than 1 min at a time or so.)

2) Power source. I can get a 12v motorbike battery and charge that when needed, but how long would it last?

Ive read alot about people building these into torches and just wondering what kind of power sources you use to power these. Are you all using standard 12v kits? Are there any 6v less wattage HID kits available? Lowest i could find is 35watt :shrug:

Is my idea a plausible idea or is there a better, more efficient way to do this? Lugging this thing around might be a mission but I'm use to that. Its mainly going to be used as a spot light when going out fishing etc.

 

[broadgage]

I have never seen an automotive type HID in less than 35 watts, smaller wattages of HID exist but are not intended for vehicle use.

I have never seen an HID ballast for 6 volt input, about the only vehicles that use 6 volts these days are the smallest/cheapest motor scooters etc.

12 volts is the most common voltage, though 24 volt units exist.

It would certainly be possible to run a 12 volt automotive HID ballast from a 12 volt motorcycle battery, run time would probably be an hour or two, cant be more precise without knowing battery size.

A 35 watt HID produces considerable heat, and the reflector must be able to withstand this. Any metal reflector should be fine, as should a plastic reflector that was designed for a 55 watt incandescent headlight bulb.
Plastic reflectors designed for low power flashlight lamps etc are unlikely to be suitable.

Finally please take care, especialy if you are new to this
HID ballasts have a lethal output voltage
HID lamps must be enclosed as they emit dangerous levels of ultraviolet, and they can shatter.
Batteries can produce hundreds of amps if shorted, a fuse is essiential.

 

[Norm]

Do yourself a favour and buy a large lantern and modify it, much easier than starting from scratch.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=213901
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2488585#post2488585
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=191645&highlight=thor
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/search.php?searchid=4018737&pp=30

 

[SargeRX8]

I have never seen an automotive type HID in less than 35 watts, smaller wattages of HID exist but are not intended for vehicle use.

I have never seen an HID ballast for 6 volt input, about the only vehicles that use 6 volts these days are the smallest/cheapest motor scooters etc.

12 volts is the most common voltage, though 24 volt units exist.

It would certainly be possible to run a 12 volt automotive HID ballast from a 12 volt motorcycle battery, run time would probably be an hour or two, cant be more precise without knowing battery size.

A 35 watt HID produces considerable heat, and the reflector must be able to withstand this. Any metal reflector should be fine, as should a plastic reflector that was designed for a 55 watt incandescent headlight bulb.
Plastic reflectors designed for low power flashlight lamps etc are unlikely to be suitable.

Finally please take care, especialy if you are new to this
HID ballasts have a lethal output voltage
HID lamps must be enclosed as they emit dangerous levels of ultraviolet, and they can shatter.
Batteries can produce hundreds of amps if shorted, a fuse is essiential.

Ah yeah. I wasnt sure if 6v units existed. If you have not seen them then they probably arent existant. Well i do play on getting a 35w 4300 or 6000k car kit and using that.

Ill ensure that I dont make contact with any loose wires. Ive installed the units in cars before and do know a enough to keep my self safe.

Now when you say they emit UV, do I need a UV filter as the glass or do you mean just SEAL off the globe?

Do yourself a favour and buy a large lantern and modify it, much easier than starting from scratch.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=213901
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2488585#post2488585
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=191645&highlight=thor
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/search.php?searchid=4018737&pp=30

Some very good links here. Ive found quite a fair bit of similar torches like those. I may actually have one. But i believe my unit runs off 1 6v battery.

I found a few which run of 2x6v cells which give out 4AH - 6AH each. Based on these stats how long would a torch last? Around 2 hours?

 

[Norm]

I found a few which run of 2x6v cells which give out 4AH - 6AH each. Based on these stats how long would a torch last? Around 2 hours?

The light I used has a 12V 7Ah battery running a 35 Watt set up, runtime is 75 minutes,i t is very important not to run the sealed lead acid battery too low otherwise the life of the battery will be very short.

Most of these style lights come standard with a 100 Watt bulb and a metal reflector so they're built to take the heat. :devil:

Just guessing 2x6v 4AH might run for 30 minutes.

I'd really try to find a light that uses a 12V 7Ah battery, not uncommon, easy to find and you will have a very usable incredibly bright light with good run time. :thumbsup:

At the end of 75 minutes it is still running full brightness but to run the light for longer you would risk damage to the battery.

 

[SargeRX8]

Could i find one of these lights WITH the suitable batteries on eBay? How much would i be looking at for a suitable housing torch thing with suitable batter? I can find cheaper spot lights at the shops for around $15 but they are all single 6v units and dont have any room.

Would i be able to pick something up for under $50?

 

[Norm]

Would i be able to pick something up for under $50?

where are you in the world? If your in the U.S. yes.
Norm

 

[SargeRX8]

Australia

 

[Norm]

10 Million Candle Power Rechargeable Spotlight - Spotlights & Worklights - DealsDirect.com.au Australia
Norm

 

[SargeRX8]

OK, I found a housing. It has a nice aluminum reflector and is water sealed. Enough room inside to fit the ballast and wiring. The battery looks like it has to be installed externally.

Just a couple of questions relating;

Does the ballast generate alot of heat?
How much lumens can i expect to get from a 35w 6000k H3 bulb?

 

[Norm]

My ballast gets just warm but it is mounted to the aluminum side panel. Lumens should be just north of 3000.
Norm

 

[BVH]

My guess on Lumens is about 2600 to 2800 from memory of other threads on this subject. 35 Watt ballasts don't get very warm, especially if you don't run it for bursts exceeding 20 minutes.

 

[M@elstrom]

The light I used has a 12V 7Ah battery running a 35 Watt set up, runtime is 75 minutes,i t is very important not to run the sealed lead acid battery too low otherwise the life of the battery will be very short.

[snip]

Just guessing 2x6v 4AH might run for 30 minutes.

Please don't be so hard on the dual 6v SLA configuration... my Thor Scout uses 2 x 4.2Ah cells and yet still achieves 40+ minutes powering a 55w ballast/burner combo, I would imagine it would fair a lot better with a smaller 35w drain, TBH these style spotlights were/are pretty useless with the OEM halogen bulbs after about 10~15 minutes of usage getting dull and even more yellow, anything north of that is a dramatic improvement IMHO :thumbsup:

 

[65535]

I wouldn't recommend using HID in a light you only plan to flash on and off for only 1 minute at a time. It's hard on components that where designed for long term in the on state.

 

[SargeRX8]

I wouldn't recommend using HID in a light you only plan to flash on and off for only 1 minute at a time. It's hard on components that where designed for long term in the on state.

It will be used mainly on 15 minute cycles. Ive got a few LED torches and after around 20 mins constant use they shut down because the battery voltage drops.