HID lantern?

[FRITZHID]

Has anyone tried to use an auto hid kit to mod a lantern? If so, what were the results?

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Has anyone tried to use an auto hid kit to mod a lantern? If so, what were the results?

I don't think anyone has done so, although a few have used HID spotlights tail standing for a ceiling bounce lantern. I am thinking that for the most part HID lights are for extreme outputs for a short time period when it comes to making lights such that a lantern using one would have to have a rather large battery setup to get decent runtime more than just an hour or 2. IMO if a lantern cannot run at least 4-6 hours off a set of batteries on the normal high setting then it isn't that useful for most people.

 

[FRITZHID]

Necrothreading my own but it's been a few years.... tech in lighting has improved and more importantly, battery tech has improved!

I'm thinking, with a nice, easy replace, lithium pack, in a large enough base..... +3000 lm properly defused at 35w(ish), no cooling concerns unlike LED, can be fairly color friendly, more durable (ime) since electronics are sealed and bulb is relatively inert, more lumens than a gas lantern, less sensitive then LED......
I still think there may be a place for these.
Albeit not for universal usage (no real dimming, has warm up time & cool down time) but maybe as the "main" usage for dinner time or pasture walking.

 

[broadgage]

Although battery technology has improved a lot, so have LEDs.
HIDs are often the best source when a tightly focussed beam is required as from a spotlight or vehicle headlight. When an area light is required then fluorescent or LED sources may be a better bet.
A top quality LED array using just 20 watts should give as many lumens as a 35 watt automotive HID.

I have an LED area light that is directional unlike a lantern, but that gives a very broad spread of light unlike a flashlight or spotlight. The beam angle is about 100 degrees.
It is only "semi home made" as it consists simply of a ready made 12 volt LED floodlight bolted onto a box containing a large SLA battery.
Only barely portable, but it lights a large room or campsite brightly for at least 24 hours on a charge.

 

[FRITZHID]

I agree, on several of your points...
LEDs, as powerful & efficient as they are, still need sig cooling.
Spreading the point light source of either, in a lantern (365° area, give or take), is an issue, however, HID has that 360° covered, just needs efficient defusing, a rear reflector would only add a feature.
LED is dimmable.
HID is far brighter (useful for area lighting)
LED is instant on/off
HID needs warm-up/cooldown times

 

[FRITZHID]

The lists can go on and on....
Maybe, if I get some measurement equip, I'll build both.

 

[bhvm]

pardon me for 're-striking' the thread.
I had very similar thoughts where an automotive lamp could be used for low voltage home lighting. my house runs mostly on Solar and hence has 12v DC very conveniently available all around. these automotive hid being nothing but mini metal halide bulbs with 12v DC input ballast makes a mach made in heaven.

I currently upgraded my vehicle HID to 4300k bulbs and I do have a perfectly working set of 5000k bulbs. makes me think.