GSS-14 Xenon Searchlight

[1958 M274]

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]

I so wanna play with it.

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

Bill

 

[Illum]

:wow: nice light:naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty:

Im guessing the batteries are for the initial surge current necessary to activate the light..I am, howver, not sure

theres a couple threads on the short-arc searchlight, perhaps they may shed some insight

I think your light is somewhat like this found from thread: 1kW Xenon Arc Tank Lighthttp://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=110558

EDIT: found what im looking for
1,257,000,000 Lumens

 

[Sig229]

unsure if this is the same MFG company but you may wanna drop them a line. Looks like might be same company,
http://www.varoeng.com/

Here's a link to a forum specializing in WWII searchlights
http://www.geocities.com/bobz299/searchlight.htm

Perhaps these can help.
Bill

 

[tvodrd]

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

 

[1958 M274]

Thanks for the replies! Here is a close up of the data plate on the light itself.

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]

At 3kW there is not much headroom. I would consider batteries inline with the generator. Also overdrive will be a problem.

Cheers.

 

[1958 M274]

WOW!!

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]

I think you mush have meant ShortArc... i DIDNT GET ANY PHONE CALLS LAST NIGHT 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

 

[Phased_Array]

Oh Yeah!

 

[1958 M274]

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...

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:

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

Thanks for suggestions!
Joe