Let me preface by saying this is probably unlikely, but I just had the idea and thought I'd throw it out there. A couple of years ago I bought the Dedolight 436 with DT36-1 ballast (www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/231419-REG/Dedolight_K436_400W_One_Light_Kit.html) for a great price on ebay. It takes a 400w 36v halogen bulb and with the ballast packs a real punch basically the equivalent of a 1k. It's a tremendous light, but I find myself rarely using it though because of the size. I was considering selling it, until I thought that it might be possible to convert it to an HMI. Dedolight also makes an HMI (www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1090974-REG/dedolight_k400dt_s_hf_dlh400d_std_hmi_hf_blst_hard.html) of the same wattage that is part of the same series as this light, so it might be possible. Does anyone have any idea of how I would even go about contemplating to do this?
Possible to modify this tungsten light to HMI?
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bclighting
Well-known member
Not knowing either one of those lights, in my experience it costs more in parts to convert than it would be to sell it and buy the HMI. That's if the parts to do that are even available separately.
David W. Jones
Veteran
I travel light these days (2 chimera triolets with 1k bulbs and softboxes, 4 dedolight 150's, 1 dedolight 150 soft light with softbox) which can all fit into a carry on bag with small stands. This Dedolight in its hard case is very heavy and unwieldy to lug around unless I need the juice for a particular shoot.
David W. Jones
Veteran
So wouldn't the HMI version be the same size?
paulears
Veteran
It's not practical really - the cost of a ballast isn't cheap (the one with the tungsten isn't really a ballast - it just enables the low voltage lamp top run from mains power), but the biggest problem is that discharge lamps are high pressure devices, and emit UV radiation - so you need an enclosure that will prevent red hot glass hitting people and inflammable items with some energy, if the envelope fails, and a UV filter to stop skin and eye reactions.
On top of this, the HT supply for striking the arc needs additional insulation in the wiring.
It could be done, with even with one of the compact discharge lamps the size of the lamp is much larger than the Dedo.
Discharge, and small really don't go together!
On top of this, the HT supply for striking the arc needs additional insulation in the wiring.
It could be done, with even with one of the compact discharge lamps the size of the lamp is much larger than the Dedo.
Discharge, and small really don't go together!