Automotive HID's

TenKreefer · 03/01/2010, 12:36 AM

I'm in college, and I've got an obsession for a hobby that costs way too much money

I was curious if a cheap HID kit like this could be retro fitted to illuminate an aquarium

35w @ 10,000K

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-k...Q5fAccessories

nano427 · 03/01/2010, 12:46 AM

I dont know if the bulb would work or not, but you would have to convert a 12v system to a 120.

TenKreefer · 03/01/2010, 12:53 AM

They'll work with any converters that drop 120v to 12-19v and those converters only cost $10-$20 plus I have a few lying around.

They're completely sealed and waterproofed and come with ballasts. We've all seen that they are bright as $@%! on the road, I wonder if they would be too bright in an aquarium. I think this would be a cheap alternative to expensive reef lighting

The Grim Reefer · 03/01/2010, 01:45 AM

Yoy know how many of those it would take to light up a tank? With out lense or reflectors you probably aren't going to get much light where you want it.

Could be an interesting project but if money is tight I would save up for something you know will work.

Now if you know someone with a junkyard that would give you some headlight assemblies

TenKreefer · 03/01/2010, 02:06 AM

A good buddy of mine runs a high end body shop. Maybe I'll snag a pair of some tattered benz assemblies

high class ghetto rig, I like it.

The Grim Reefer · 03/01/2010, 02:10 AM

Probably would be OK for a Japanese style spotlight setup. Not really sure what the lamp life would end up being either. Interesting idea. If you go for it keeps us posted.

TenKreefer · 03/01/2010, 06:05 PM

yea for sure, I'll keep you guys updated

southnash · 03/01/2010, 10:22 PM

Just buy some honda headlights & aim them at the tank..... ok maybe not.

My HID's where bright on my car but keep us updated & let us know how they work. You can get the kits for $80 for ballast & bulbs for most cars...

Saltcity · 03/01/2010, 10:28 PM

Honestly, save your money and buy something made for your application. I'm all about DIY'ing but I'm not about wasting money!

customdusty · 03/05/2010, 10:01 PM

IceCap outsources some of their electronics ballasts to Hatch - which happens to be a manufacturer of ballasts for automotive headlights.

TickleMyElmo · 03/05/2010, 10:37 PM

I'm with the "save your money for something you know will work...and well" group....

customdusty · 03/07/2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TickleMyElmo

I'm with the "save your money for something you know will work...and well" group....

Agreed, I learned that lesson and ended up replacing everything 2 or 3 times until I realized I should have just done it right to begin with. Everything ended up costing me twice as much overall.

03/01/2010, 12:36 AM	#1
TenKreefer Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 218	Automotive HID's I'm in college, and I've got an obsession for a hobby that costs way too much money I was curious if a cheap HID kit like this could be retro fitted to illuminate an aquarium 35w @ 10,000K http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-k...Q5fAccessories

03/01/2010, 01:45 AM	#4
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Yoy know how many of those it would take to light up a tank? With out lense or reflectors you probably aren't going to get much light where you want it. Could be an interesting project but if money is tight I would save up for something you know will work. Now if you know someone with a junkyard that would give you some headlight assemblies __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

03/01/2010, 02:10 AM	#6
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Probably would be OK for a Japanese style spotlight setup. Not really sure what the lamp life would end up being either. Interesting idea. If you go for it keeps us posted. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

03/05/2010, 10:01 PM	#10
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	IceCap outsources some of their electronics ballasts to Hatch - which happens to be a manufacturer of ballasts for automotive headlights. __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

03/01/2010, 12:46 AM	#2
nano427 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: AV OC CA USA Posts: 877	I dont know if the bulb would work or not, but you would have to convert a 12v system to a 120.

03/01/2010, 12:53 AM	#3
TenKreefer Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 218	They'll work with any converters that drop 120v to 12-19v and those converters only cost $10-$20 plus I have a few lying around. They're completely sealed and waterproofed and come with ballasts. We've all seen that they are bright as $@%! on the road, I wonder if they would be too bright in an aquarium. I think this would be a cheap alternative to expensive reef lighting

03/01/2010, 02:06 AM	#5
TenKreefer Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 218	A good buddy of mine runs a high end body shop. Maybe I'll snag a pair of some tattered benz assemblies high class ghetto rig, I like it.

03/01/2010, 06:05 PM	#7
TenKreefer Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 218	yea for sure, I'll keep you guys updated

03/01/2010, 10:22 PM	#8
southnash Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 346	Just buy some honda headlights & aim them at the tank..... ok maybe not. My HID's where bright on my car but keep us updated & let us know how they work. You can get the kits for $80 for ballast & bulbs for most cars...

03/01/2010, 10:28 PM	#9
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Honestly, save your money and buy something made for your application. I'm all about DIY'ing but I'm not about wasting money!

03/05/2010, 10:37 PM	#11
TickleMyElmo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 55	I'm with the "save your money for something you know will work...and well" group....