Need an hid kit for a retro project

[mr.squatch]

First of all, I know nothing about hid's, only that the car kits can run off 12v and come with a bulb and a ballast. Other than that I can't decipher what kits do what. Here's what I have to work with... I have a space of 5.5x3x1.5" area to fit wiring and a ballast. The bulb area has plenty of room in front of and behind the reflector. Glass lens and metal reflector, fits a standard maglite type bulb for now. I'm not so worried about the fitment, I can figure out most things if i can put my hands on them. I'm more concerned with finding a kit that'll fit in my case and work correctly. It's a 3" x 3" lens head and the battery box is 5.5x3x3 I think I'll go 4x 18650 or something like that to keep weight/bulk to a minimum. Doesn't have to be a 1000w kit by any means, I'm thinking 35w or less... Unless of course i can fit in more :devil: lol. Help a brotha out. Tell me either what kit to buy, or what to look for while choosing one. Any/all advice greatly appreciated. This thing is going to be cool

g

 

[JetskiMark]

Hello mr.squatch,

I am sorry that I do not have any advice on what components to use. I am considering sacrificing my Costco HID (purchased for $40) to use the bulb and ballast if an appropriate vintage host can be located.

What host are you going to use? The main problem, I believe, is finding a suitable host with a metal reflector deep enough to accommodate and properly focus the long HID bulb.

I have built a number of vintage hotwires and I would like to build a vintage HID sometime in the near future.

Regards,
Mark

 

[superjoe83]

the main problem is the ballast size, most of the kits use a copy of the Hella gen 3 ballast, it measures approx 4.5"x3"x1.375"

once you figure out if the ballast will fit, the rest is easy, for bulb size an H3 kit will be your best bet because it is the shortest re-based HID bulb, and of course get a color temp around 4k, good luck, and if you need anymore info about automotive HID systems feel free to ask

heres a pic:

 

[JetskiMark]

I just removed the ballast from my Costco HID. It is only 3 3/8 x 2 5/8 x 1 3/16. It will easily fit in any light that uses a 6V lantern battery and leave room for LiPos. It will even fit in some of the vintage D cell lights I have.

I wonder how large the ballast in a Sam's/P.O.B/H.F. HID is? I might have to open mine up and measure it.

My problem is finding a deep enough reflector and head. There are PAR36 35W & 50W HID lamps available for aircraft. If the 35W would work with my Costco ballast, I might be able to make a Volkano HID.

Regards,
Mark