Let's build a 175 watt HID Megaray on the cheap

[Queenslander]

Getting the 175 watt HID perfromance of the Megaray without the expense is the goal.

There is a superb Megaray review site here http://www.cones-stuff.co.uk/MegaRay%20175.htm

It is from that review that I have copied this picture of the globe for identification purposes:

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/CPF_Queenslander/megarayglobe.jpg

Now I think the globe shown is this Ceralux lamp - CL175BF-10F shown here http://www.msscientific.de/ceralux_lamps.htm although the colour temperature is 5800 not 5600 so I am not sure + the operating voltage range is tighter. Any ideas???

How to proceed?

Can anyone help nail the globe for starters?

If we're on the right track, maybe we can trick it up to one of the 300 watt series - just to do it a little brighter.

The batteries are gonna be in a pack of their own... that's a given. As far as the housing goes, it is not gonna be too hard to machine up a nice cylinder and I am willing to forgoe the whizzbang beam focusing switching if necessary.

All help appreciated.


gk

 

[jrv]

Heat would seem likely to be a bigger problem than anything else.

 

[Queenslander]

Heat would seem likely to be a bigger problem than anything else.

I agree JRV!

The Megaray has a significant heatsink, behind which sits a little electric fan... still we could emulate that without too much trouble -

here's an excellent document showing the heatsink, fan and cooling vents: http://www.applied-infrared.com.au/brochures/Megaray_MR175.pdf

Thanks for the post JRV!

 

[65535]

I don't know how many Thousands a mega ray costs put this isn't going to be a cheap date to make, but it will be interesting, hope all goes well, would be a great use for that 300 watt H2 unit.

 

[ddaadd]

I don't know how many Thousands a mega ray costs

Going from memory, the Megaray is apx $6k us.

I know of only one cpf'r that thas one...........

I have to think one could be cobbled together for less than half that?........

Still way out there though..............

 

[Fallingwater]

Out of curiosity, what's the life on the lamps the megaray uses, and how much does a single lamp cost?

 

[ShortArc]

Also, one major contributor to the price of the Megaray are the storage cells by Valence Technology.

 

[Andreas]

I think I am the one CPF member that has one.

Would be willing to give you any info off mine if necessary.

Batteries are very unique

 

[Queenslander]

I think I am the one CPF member that has one.

Would be willing to give you any info off mine if necessary.

Batteries are very unique

That would be awesome...can you nail the lamp down for us?

Thanks Andreas

gk

 

[Orbit]

hrrmmm....looked into doing this. (300watt option that is)
You will need a reflector from optiforms to cope with the heat, an integrated heat sink/housing (can't remember the optimal surface area off hand) that is thermally connected to the reflector and bulb with an electric fan at the bulb end. You will also need a lense that offers suitable protection from the various UV and other nasties emitted.
Drew up designs but the powersupplies available at the time were not practical for my purposes.
Where are you in QLD?

all up minus machining(can do my self) and power supply i was looking at 1600. Most of that cost was in a custom electro deposited reflector. you could go for a non custom reflector and get one simialar to Ra's maxablaster or smaller for a fair bit cheaper.

orb.