Security spotlight ideas?

[DJNBig]

I want to put some lights up at the farm for security, pref something thats instant-on like a halogen .

Anyone convert a 500w worklight style halogen into something with far greater range ? I only get about 75 feet of coverage with one of thoes, but a couple hundred would be nice..

Any ideas with using only items found at local hardware store?

Thxs...

djn

 

[DM51]

Welcome to CPF, DJNBig!

I think your question will do better in the 'Fixed Lighting' section, so I'm moving it there for you.

 

[LukeA]

I want to put some lights up at the farm for security, pref something thats instant-on like a halogen .

Anyone convert a 500w worklight style halogen into something with far greater range ? I only get about 75 feet of coverage with one of thoes, but a couple hundred would be nice..

Any ideas with using only items found at local hardware store?

Thxs...

djn

Replacing the reflector behind the bulb with some sheetmetal that you've shaped to be parabolic (or roughly so) will increase range.

If you can bend a piece of metal to match the profile below (actually you might want the metal very slightly wider - you can play with the focus), and put the center (for this case) one inch behind the filament, I think you will be in business.

Scalable PDF of same graphic. If you print it out scaled so the axes are inches, it should fit in your light.

 

[DJNBig]

Sounds good, thanks for the information.

Is there one type of metal that reflects best like polished aluminum say..

thanks again

DJN

 

[LukeA]

Sounds good, thanks for the information.

Is there one type of metal that reflects best like polished aluminum say..

thanks again

DJN

Polished aluminum would work great, but it will grow a thicker oxide layer over time (a few years) which would reduce reflectivity. However, with the sheer amount of light hitting the reflector, some of it is going to bounce where you want it. Stainless would work well too, and faces the same problems. Pretty much anything's better than the rectangular galvanized metal behind the bulb in stock form. Just use whatever you can come by easily, but there's a LOT of heat coming off that bulb, so steel with that higher melting point might be more desirable.