DIY HMI 150 W lamp

erniediaz

erniediaz

Well-known member
This thread comes from another with a diferent topic:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=95932


At last, here my HMI prototype (w/o barn doors):

1178678327.jpg


this is the balast housing ( too heavy to be part of the lamp housing):

1178678546.jpg


Note: later I'll ad the barn doors

What do you think?
 
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Carlos_E._Martinez said:
1.- Can you explain a bit more on how you made the aluminium housings?

2.- A hard part to design are the barndoors.

3.- The tripods you made are quite ingenious. I am not sure if I will find those clamps you used though.

4.- What lamp types are those shown from the back on your photo?

5.- The only thing I will not find much use for me are the longer type fluos, as I do not work in studio and they probably belong more there than on location.
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1. I'll post plans soon

2.- Yes this is the most difficult part but, I already solve this, I'll let you see.

3.- you'll find the clamps in a bicycle store, like I did (US$ 1.50)

4.- The black ones? oh! those ar a cup of old Smith Victor 300 W lamps.

5.- The longer type fluos are for imitate a window's light (you locate it out side of a window) in a situation where the day ends (night) or turns dark, and you have to keep filming in the same location (continuity). That's what I have used it for.

Carlos_E._Martinez said:
Well, now that the gate is open, let's go.

One thing I found interesting in Ernesto's fixtures is that the lamps are vertically installed, instead of horizontally. As I already have a large fixture where the 42W fluo lamp is horizontal, I don't feel too safe as the lamp, being quite large and heavy, moves up and down when you move it. I wonder if that wouldn't shorten its life span.
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I did installed them vertically because in other orientation they tend to loose and damage the socket, and fall down when you move the lamp.

Cool Lights said:
Wow, that looks great.
1.- Looks like you found an aluminum pipe extrusion perhaps and some other kind of "end cap" for the back. Where did you find that?

2.- What is the wattage and is the ballast electronic or magnetic?

3.- Not to be critical or anything but I want to offer some constructive ideas. This is an open face light so just be careful with UV output. Even if the bulb is shielded you shouldn't depend upon that. Also, as I said in my article these bulbs have been known to explode so a glass protection lens on the front of it is a really great idea.

4.- In addition, the zip cord on the back between the light and the ballast is probably not rated for the voltage going through there so you might want to replace that with some higher voltage rating wire.

Looks like a real pro job though.
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1.- Yes I found a kind of extrusion pipe wich they use to make ventilation duct, and "end caps" used to protec fans in a ventilation system, the inside reflective cup is a bowl wich I found in the home section of a supermarket.

2.- 120V, 150 W, electronic ballast.

3.- Yes I realize that and the barms door system comes with an UV protective (or a fresneell) glass.

4.- the cable is duplex No. 12, (centelca) wich rates for 220V, 600 W 10 Amp. enough to my lamp (120V, 150W, 4 amp), the switch is a Leviton Heavy duty 10 amp.
 
Super imagination especially the reflector and pipe extrusion.

It may not surprise you to find that professional video and stage light manufacturers use extrusions like yours all the time to make their products look as professional and tough as possible as well as saving time on custom stamping and fabrication of parts.

Just remember the voltage coming from the ballast to the lamp is much higher than the voltage from the wall and there is a startup spike of as much as 4000 volts to light one of these metal halide lights. The reason for teflon of silicone jacket also is because the temperatures inside the housing can get very high.
 
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Very good work Ernesto. I really like the fixture, and can't wait to see how you solved the barn doors problem.

And let me complement you on your Amazing Idea of spawning a whole studio. I mean, Genius!!!!

The idea of little Ernestos running around doing your bidding on a set is Pure Genius.

Although I think you probably weren't thinking you will need a bigger crew 25yrs ago. So Two sons and One daughter. Son 1 DP, Son 2 Camera Op. Daughter - Audio? You -Director.

I need to find a wife to start spawning my own little studio. Though I'll probably need a few more under links. DP, PM, Audio, Lighting, Grip, PA, & at least one Camera op. Wow, 7. Might as well go for 8. you never know when you are going to need one extra set of hands on set.
hahahaha. just kidding. must be nice to work with your family. :)
 
Cool Lights said:
Super imagination especially the reflector and pipe extrusion.

It may not surprise you to find that professional video and stage light manufacturers use extrusions like yours all the time to make their products look as professional and tough as possible as well as saving time on custom stamping and fabrication of parts.

Just remember the voltage coming from the ballast to the lamp is much higher than the voltage from the wall and there is a startup spike of as much as 4000 volts to light one of these metal halide lights. The reason for teflon of silicone jacket also is because the temperatures inside the housing can get very high.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info, note taken.
 
siniarch said:
Very good work Ernesto. I really like the fixture, and can't wait to see how you solved the barn doors problem.

And let me complement you on your Amazing Idea of spawning a whole studio. I mean, Genius!!!!

The idea of little Ernestos running around doing your bidding on a set is Pure Genius.

Although I think you probably weren't thinking you will need a bigger crew 25yrs ago. So Two sons and One daughter. Son 1 DP, Son 2 Camera Op. Daughter - Audio? You -Director.

I need to find a wife to start spawning my own little studio. Though I'll probably need a few more under links. DP, PM, Audio, Lighting, Grip, PA, & at least one Camera op. Wow, 7. Might as well go for 8. you never know when you are going to need one extra set of hands on set.
hahahaha. just kidding. must be nice to work with your family. :)
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hello siniarch, As a matter of fact it was the lack of a wife that push me to take care and latter work with my sons and daughter, my wife went away when the older was 7 the girl 5 and the little one 2 years old (in 1984), and I decide to work at home in order to watch them grow.

Then I own a TV commercials house in animation since 1972 (cel animation), my sons become a working help in inking and painting, and as they grow and learn more, take more responsibilities and, finally, study cinematography, wiriting, directing and production, letting me do what I do better: create... create ideas, devices, methods, storyes etc.

But we are not alone, last few years I become teacher in several cinema schools here at Bogota, Colombia; so I gather a select group of young talents.


Here my crew: (obviously I'm the older one)

1178781069.jpg


With them, I have created, produced and directed, several TV productons and 2 cinema feaures wich we hope to blow-up to 35 mm soon.

My younger son wins a price in a goverment's contest and is making a short featurein 3D animation, he hopesto finish, later in december.

Well that's all for a story today.
 
Sounds like a great story. I hope you weren't offended by my comments. I just meant them as a joke.
Must feel great to be able to help so many kids.
I'm actually from Guatemala and have been in the states since '85.
If you guys are ever in Los Angeles, make sure you get in touch with me and I'll show you around.
Good luck to your son with the 3D contest. What software is he using?
ps: maybe your next movie can be loosely based on your own story.
 
Hey Ernesto,
That's pretty awesome, I'm thinking of making a Jib also. that one looks very professional.

As for the Rails and both the camera mounting plate on top and the quick release mounting plate for the bottom. how did you make all those attachments to the rails and such. Do you have a milling machine? or did you have them made at a metal shop?
 
siniarch said:
Sounds like a great story.
1.- I hope you weren't offended by my comments. I just meant them as a joke.
Must feel great to be able to help so many kids.
2.- I'm actually from Guatemala and have been in the states since '85.
If you guys are ever in Los Angeles, make sure you get in touch with me and I'll show you around.
Good luck to your son with the 3D contest.
3.-What software is he using?
4.- ps: maybe your next movie can be loosely based on your own story.
Click to expand...

1.- Not at all, I also have a good humor, I'm latin after all.
2.- Thanks We'll see about, my older son (30 years) is studding anthropology at Minnesota University.
You are invited to my country too, Guatemala and Colombia are very similar.
3.- 3D studio max 9.0
4.- we are on that, it is already writen, we call it "La Pelicula, una historia de la vida, que nos toca" "Te movie, a story about the life that touches us"

I apologize about my english, as almost every thing in y life, I learned it by myself.

siniarch said:
Hey Ernesto,
That's pretty awesome, I'm thinking of making a Jib also. that one looks very professional.

As for the Rails and both the camera mounting plate on top and the quick release mounting plate for the bottom. how did you make all those attachments to the rails and such. Do you have a milling machine? or did you have them made at a metal shop?
Click to expand...

those are from a ceramic tile cutter. I use to go around at stores, warehouses, metal shops, etc. see things and join toghether, eventually, they become devices.

:beer:

Hey siniarch, what do you do in USA, are you employee? or independant?
 
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