Want to make a Flood HID camping Lantern

[jtice]

I have been wanting to make a 35W HID lantern for a while now,
and I think I may finally be going ahead with it.
I want a sturdy, at least rain resistant, flood light.
Basically after an elec. version of a gas Coleman camping lantern.
HID seems to be the only way to go,
as flourencse seem to get bulky, and I would have to use mulitple bulbs to get the same brightness.
Thoough of CCFL, but again, multiple tubes and ballasts gets bulky.

Not really sure how I want to do it yet,
was thinking of having the ballast in a project box or pelican case,
then a frosted tube on top it with the HID bulb in it.
Or placing all of it in the case, with a frosted window.
But I was worried that would trap too much heat inside.

Any ideas guys?

Thanks
~John

 

[Sway]

John,

Have you looked at Halogen Work Lights as a host, the reflector is already textured and you could frost the lens or are you looking for something different.

Later
Kelly

 

[ledaholic]

I think you should mod an old Coleman gas lantern using your HID parts!

 

[jtice]

Hi Kelly :wave:

hmmmm :thinking:
I had not thought of that, thats a good idea.
It has a handle, the bulb would be gaurded, texuted reflector already, the ballast could mount on the back or on the leg, and the battery pack on the foot.
I like it !
Water resistance is the only drawback I can see in that setup.

ledaholic,
I thought about that also, but then we are talking about modding a $40+ lantern.
Plus I am after something a bit smaller and stronger. I have broken quite a few globes on them
Though, I suppose those are replaceable.

~John

 

[Patriot]

Hi Kelly :wave:

hmmmm :thinking:
I had not thought of that, thats a good idea.
It has a handle, the bulb would be gaurded, texuted reflector already, the ballast could mount on the back or on the leg, and the battery pack on the foot.
I like it !
Water resistance is the only drawback I can see in that setup.

ledaholic,
I thought about that also, but then we are talking about modding a $40+ lantern.
Plus I am after something a bit smaller and stronger. I have broken quite a few globes on them
Though, I suppose those are replaceable.

~John

I used to brake globes all too often. I finally purchased a pair of Coleman Northstars a few years ago and havn't broken a globe since

 

[Blacklight]

I have been wanting to make a 35W HID lantern for a while now,
and I think I may finally be going ahead with it.
I want a sturdy, at least rain resistant, flood light.
Basically after an elec. version of a gas Coleman camping lantern.
HID seems to be the only way to go,
as flourencse seem to get bulky, and I would have to use mulitple bulbs to get the same brightness.
Thoough of CCFL, but again, multiple tubes and ballasts gets bulky.

Not really sure how I want to do it yet,
was thinking of having the ballast in a project box or pelican case,
then a frosted tube on top it with the HID bulb in it.
Or placing all of it in the case, with a frosted window.
But I was worried that would trap too much heat inside.

Any ideas guys?

Thanks
~John

I actually have exactly what you are talking about sitting in my office!! We used two 35w HID, the light output is awesome, and it has a warm yellow light. It is a battery hog though. We have our mock up with a couple of sealed lead acid batteries. just was going to be too expensive at retail to justify producing. We used the body of a 285 gas lantern with ceramic sockets. if my memory serves me right, we may actually sell a plug in version in Japan.

 

[jtice]

I actually have exactly what you are talking about sitting in my office!! We used two 35w HID, the light output is awesome, and it has a warm yellow light. It is a battery hog though. We have our mock up with a couple of sealed lead acid batteries. just was going to be too expensive at retail to justify producing. We used the body of a 285 gas lantern with ceramic sockets. if my memory serves me right, we may actually sell a plug in version in Japan.

Interesting !
PICS?

I think I may go with the typical 500W hallogen Shop light as a host.
Just have to make a bulb base for the HID.
I think it will provide the flood I want, and have room to mount the ballast and a battery pack to it.
I was thinking of doing it to a typical Coleman lantern type design,
but I dont really want 360 lights, 180 degrees or so is fine.

I plan to use it as a camping light, cave photography light, and in home photo light.

~John

 

[brickbat]

Not sure what your preference for color temperature is, but these http://www.northlightproducts.com/philips_HID_2003f.pdf are pretty nice lamps, and I wonder if a 35W automotive ballast would operate the 39W lamp??

They pop up on eBay from time to time under 'mastercolor'.

 

[jtice]

Those are interesting bulbs, I have not seen those before.

I ordered a 35W HID 4300K kit, 9-16V range.

Main issue now is working out how to make a bulb base.
But I have a couple ideas

~John

 

[Blacklight]

Interesting !
PICS?

I think I may go with the typical 500W hallogen Shop light as a host.
Just have to make a bulb base for the HID.
I think it will provide the flood I want, and have room to mount the ballast and a battery pack to it.
I was thinking of doing it to a typical Coleman lantern type design,
but I dont really want 360 lights, 180 degrees or so is fine.

I plan to use it as a camping light, cave photography light, and in home photo light.

~John

I am in meetings most of today, but I will try to remember to take a shot of it later today or tomorrow.