Converting Starlite to HID Softbox

[Policar]

I was recently looking at the starlite and similar lights (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._FV_SL2432KIT_Starlite_QL_SilverDome_One.html) and I was wondering it it was possible to convert these to HID. The starlite uses 1000w (22,000 lumens) or 500w tungsten lights with E39 mogul bases.

You can get some nice HID lights for cheap. These Ushio lights output >90CRI, 5200K, 33,000 lumens: ideal specs. They have mogul bases, are roughly the same size as the starlite lights, and run off of HPS ballasts. (http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=UHI-S400DDUSHIO)

Edit: The ballast I listed doesn't work as it does not support pulse start lamps.... Oh well.

So it's feasible that just by modifying the plug from the ballast output (http://www.growlightexpress.com/grow-light-accessories-10/15ft-lamp-cord-16-gauge-959.html) to fit into the light input (which I believe is C13 http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=5112), you could run one of those HID lights on it--no rewiring anywhere else. And you'd get a silent, flicker free HID softbox comparable to a joker 400 in a chimera for a lot less money.

Or it might blow up? Any feedback?

 

[notharrylume]

Interesting - 33,000 lumens for about $600 complete compared with something like Coollights 6 x 55w biax flo which provides about 17,400 lumens for about the same $600.

Softbox pluses (in addition to the extra light) - 24" x 36" luminescent surface is larger and will provide a softer light than the flo box which is smaller - about 16" x 24"

Softbox minus - light control: although you can get a fabric grid for the softbox about $90 the flo box comes with barndoors and can accomodate a hard eggcrate as well.


I would be interested about feasibility as well. Thanks for the idea, Policar.

 

[Policar]

Well, it's 33,000 lumens minus a 1.5 stop (my guess) diffusion sheet, which translates to 11,700 lumens. Of course, you could skip the diffusion and use the reflector to get the full output, minus most of the softness. Kinos are the best for most things, but expensive, and I like the look of softboxes.

There are some very cheap starlite knockoffs, though, so I might give it a try with one of those. Theoretically it should be possible to run tungsten or HID from the same light, but you'd have to make sure to switch the ballast out each time you change... It's the type of thing where it will either work fine or blow up; I just want to make sure it won't blow up before I invest money in it.