Searching for a HUGE reflector - Sky searchlight project

[Todka]

Hello,

My first post to this forum. Hi everyone. So glad I found this site too, its excellent.

I am interested in making a home made, cheap copy of the old WWII search lights used to spot bombers at night.

To build this i guess i need the following.

• One massive parabolic reflector that can withstand high temperatures.
• One mega bright bulb to go in it.
• Power source for the buld.

I though of getting the genuine article, but found them to be prohibitively expensive and overly massive.

If anyone has any ideas to contribute to making this project turn into a reality, I am very keen to hear ideas on reflector suppliers and light sources.

Thanks in advance fellow phoponphilliacs.
Todka

 

[monkeyboy]

Hello Todka

Welcome to CPF

Have you seen this thread?
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=92396

Is this the sort of thing you're trying to build?

 

[scott.cr]

How large is large?

Here's a link to a 241.3 mm parabolic reflector.

I've had that link bookmarked for ages, but no (affordable) projects to build with it.

 

[DonShock]

140mm for $55
170mm for $70
240mm for $85

 

[knot]

How about one of these. It's used as a heat emitter for reptiles. They come in different sizes and are aluminum - so they can be polished.




Bulb? Check out this monster:

 

[Todka]

Monkeyboy, yes, thats the effect Im after. A nice tight, superbright beam.

Scott, Don, thanks for the links. I had 1m plus in mind, but as I research this and after seeing the link to that tank light I think I may get away with a smaller scale. The surplus shed rhodium reflector is quite beautiful.

 

[Cigarman]

Here try this lamp instead. Might need a nuclear power generator first to power the ballast for it...

http://www.prismaecat.lighting.philips.com/LightSite/Whirlwind.aspx?eca=LLPPLG&cpf=USNPUS&stg=ACT&lan=US&cnt_key=XDMSRHR%20+|PHL|871150020257400+++&ecu=SPL|PHL|GX&t=3&tree=0&scr_md=1111&leftnav=1_1&nav=Null&loc=us_en


accept no substitutes.

 

[DennisMenace]

Good search light page here:
http://www.geocities.com/bobz299/bmeza6.htm

 

[Hemlock Mike]

Might it be possible for an old satelite dish (covered with duct tape :twothumbs ) to be a starting point ?? An old one even has some aiming drives !!

Mike

 

[chesterqw]

the sun.
and a mirror

 

[LuxLuthor]

140mm for $55
170mm for $70
240mm for $85

Interesting. They don't give many details about those reflectors...depth, bulb bore, surface coating material, focus, etc.

 

[LuxLuthor]

How large is large?

Here's a link to a 241.3 mm parabolic reflector.

I've had that link bookmarked for ages, but no (affordable) projects to build with it.

LOL...damn, you could pan for gold with that baby.

 

[Todka]

That's the stuff I'm after. Not keen for the $10-30k they cost though, so im thinking a big reflector and a 1000W bulb and Im done. Couple of beers, and play. Still, havent found any reflectors on this scale......

Good search light page here:
http://www.geocities.com/bobz299/bmeza6.htm

 

[DennisMenace]

Edmond Scientic has polished aluminum parabolic reflectors 18" (457mm) for $43. I don't know if they're suitable for searchlight reflectors ??

There's gotta be a carbon-arc search light in a scrap yard somewhere that would be a lot of fun to restore.

(This picture is from 'Bob's searchlight page')

Sheesh, those look like a lot of work!


Xenon lights might be the way to go. The smaller ones would not even require a generator.

Some place that rents them out might provide links to used/restorable ones for an affordable amount.

I've always wanted one myself, but never actually went looking.

Good luck in your quest!