first mod for a home made HID spotlight?

[SmurfTacular]

I was planning on going camping soon. Last time I wen camping was before my interest in high powered flashlights. And my friend always brags about how bright is incandescent spotlight is. He says its about 5 million candle power. I want to build a spotlight that will put his to shame. I know that people here buy incandescent spotlights and mod them into HID spotlights. I was wondering is there a good, simple, relativley inexpensive guide into making a really powerful HID spotlight?

I've done some research and found that you can buy HID conversion kits for about $60

http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=101&parent=85

But that's 2 bulbs running about 55w each. Can you put 2 bulbs in a spotlight that only has 1? Or is it easier to buy 1 HID light that is 100w. If so where would I buy one?

 

[ericspda1]

.....

 

[ti-force]

Check out the HID forum for some good write ups and lots of info. As previously mentioned, it's not too difficult to do and probably the hardest part of the mod is making a bulb socket to get the bulb focused properly. As far as batteries, I think Li-Ion's are the way to go. Also, I think the reason people buy 2 ballasts and two bulbs is because these kits are made for vehicles, therefore 2x are required and it's probably more cost effective to buy the whole kit than to buy half the kit. If you bought the whole kit, chances are you could sell half the kit in the B/S/T forum, or you could keep it for another build. About the 100 watt ballast, I'm not sure you could find a true 100 watt ballast; I think 85 is the highest I've seen guys run on here and you would probably spend more on that one ballast, then you would on an extreme hids kit that contains 2 bulbs and ballasts. If you've got the money, that's the route to take because all the parts are better quality, but I think people are having good luck with xtreme hid. Maybe this will get you pointed in the right direction.

Casey

 

[SmurfTacular]

If I where to use 2 bulbs in one mod, would the bulbs be next to each other? Or would there be a double reflector?

 

[ti-force]

If you go with a light like in this thread, it has two reflectors.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=204273

 

[SmurfTacular]

Oh, OK, I think for my first build I want to stick with a single bulb, and use the other ballast and bulb for my dirtbike


I plan on buying a pair of those 55w here

http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=101&parent=85

What color temp would be best? I kinda like the light blue tint, but I don't want it obnoxious. Is 8,000K good?

Also, what is a good, inexpensive host to use for this?

 

[richardcpf]

What color temp would be best? I kinda like the light blue tint, but I don't want it obnoxious. Is 8,000K good?

55W 8,000k has a nice blueish tint, not too blue.

This is the chart in their website, I think it is pretty accurate.

 

[SmurfTacular]

I saw that, that's a really cool chart. I think i'm going to stick with 8,000K.

But do you know of any good inexpensive hosts for a spotlight?

 

[SmurfTacular]

I was looking at some spotlights for me to mod.
I the Vector 191 a good light to mod?



http://www.globaltrucker.com/produc...Emergency_Spotlight_Weather_Radio-7999-1.html



Not that it matters to much, but I really like the way it looks. And I kinda like the radio function.
But would that compromise the inside room for mounting the ballast?
Also, would a 55W, H3 bulb be a good choice for this build?
THANKS

 

[Mettee]

8000k will be very blue

A lower temp rating or say a 4500 to 5000 will not be so blue and the big upside to these is they are brighter and produce more lumen.