Converting a Headlight into a Lamp

[Dan O'Connor]

Hi, I'm converting an HID Nissan Altima headlight into a light that you can
plug into a wall outlet, but I'm having trouble finding the ballast I'll
need to do this, any help? Thanks.

 

[Henry Kolesnik]

Get a 12 volt DC power supply at whatever the current the lamp draws. If
it'll work on AC get a 12 volt transformer. When I was a kid I used a toy
RR transformer to power the unburnt half of a 6 volt auto headlight and used
it as a search light.

--
73
Hank WD5JFR
"Dan O'Connor" <dsoc21@nycap.rr.com> wrote in message
newssfQc.87457$yd5.45346@twister.nyroc.rr.com...

Hi, I'm converting an HID Nissan Altima headlight into a light that you
can
plug into a wall outlet, but I'm having trouble finding the ballast I'll
need to do this, any help? Thanks.

 

[Don Klipstein]

In article <PsfQc.87457$yd5.45346@twister.nyroc.rr.com>, Dan O'Connor wrote:

Hi, I'm converting an HID Nissan Altima headlight into a light that you can
plug into a wall outlet, but I'm having trouble finding the ballast I'll
need to do this, any help? Thanks.

I don't think it's easy to get a 120V ballast for those.

I think your best shot is to use a computer power supply to supply 12
volts. No guarantee that it will work - the ballast may draw some
large amount of current in the first several seconds of warmup, maybe 10
amps or more.

Keep in mind that a computer power supply may not work unless the 5-volt
output has some load - maybe an 1156 backup light bulb.

If you want a lower cost metal halide light, then I would suggest
hacking a 70 watt metal halide security light. Lowes or Home Depot may
have those.

Keep in mind that metal halide lamps (bulbs) must be enclosed unless
they are known to be rated for use in open fixtures. Metal halide lamp
arc tubes do occaisionally explode.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com, klipstei@netaxs.com)