Thanks for checking in, Lightsward!
I am quite familiar with your builds; I think I have read every page. That is some inspiring work, developing the form and layup techniques for reflector fabrication:thumbsup:. Your lights are awesome. When you need to build a crane to support your light hobby....:bow:.
I've made quite a few things with fiberglass and epoxy. I once cast an epoxy parabola on a record turntable. There are some small concentric ripples, but it worked well for the basic shape. I use it with a microphone. I tried with paraffin, first, but that rippled worse.
Thanks for the lamp tips. I will look into them, but I think the power level @ 1200W is more than I can run from a vehicle's 12V system.
EDIT: OK, that was fast and easy. Thanks a LOT for the info about these ballasts working well on dirty power!
Jenbo has a 400W ballast, a 400W double ended lamp, a 400W single ended lamp, and even a 400W short arc lamp which is listed as an alternate for the Philips MSR 400 SA. That Philips is the lamp I ordered. I expect the Jenbo ballasts should work with their own lamps, so the Jenbo 400W ballast should run lamp, too. Great info.
Ballast $300:
http://www.bestbulbsdirect.com/Jenbo_400W_Lamp_Ballast
400W double ended lamp $104:
http://400W double ended lamp:
400W short arc lamp, single ended $110:
http://www.bestbulbsdirect.com/Philips_MSR_400-S_Replacement_Jenbo_NSK400
Goals recap:
I realize I was a little unclear, above, mentioning the 100W HID as a baseline. My testing so far has only been with a 35W HID. My default choice to replace that is a 100W HID. This 100W HID is the 'baseline' I am comparing other lamp options against. I am trying to pick a better lamp system which will significantly outperform that potential 100W HID for beam visibility, without disproportionately increasing the expense - at least not TOO badly. I'm aiming for a power level I can supply from an idling vehicle's 12V alternator. I think that should not be more than 500W lamp power, which might require up to 50A input @12V. Maybe a 575W.