8mm Forum: HID lamp for GS1200

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Posted by Clive Casey (Member # 6202) on March 22, 2019, 11:44 AM:

Hi everyone, I have been looking back at some old postings regarding installing a HID lamp in a GS1200 and noticed quite a lot of different opinions on the subject. Has anyone converted one recently, is it a big job and lastly is it worth it?
It would be nice to hear from someone that has done a conversion and tell me of the pit falls.
Thanks in advance, Clive

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 22, 2019, 12:32 PM:

Clive

I have no knowledge of an HID 150 conversion on the GS-1200 but I do have a 16mm Bell & Howell 644 which has been converted.

First of all, these lamps cannot be switched on and off as a conventional lamp can be. It would seriously shorten its life if a hot lamp recently switched off is switched on again. Therefore, it is necessary to have some form of dowser fitted to "hide" the beam whilst changing reels. As the lamp remains on for the duration of a show it will also need a small fan on continuously.

A ballast is required to control the lamp and space will be needed to install it. All in all, as the Elmo has a good light output, would it be really necessary to convert one due to the work required and the cost involved.

I can say that the light output is very bright, and most importantly, very white. In fact it makes faded prints look much improved on the screen.

https://www.stagesuperstore.co.uk/xenpow-hid-150-discharge-lamp-4320-p.asp

Posted by Clive Casey (Member # 6202) on March 22, 2019, 12:43 PM:

Hi Maurice, Thanks for the reply. The only reason for considering going down the route of HID is for the white light you get from one. It seems more and more that such a lot of the 8mm prints are pink, unless you pay an arm and a leg for an LPP print. I know you can use a blue filter, which helps, but does cut down on the light output. Maybe I should stick to black and white.
Regards, Clive

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on March 22, 2019, 12:51 PM:

I will have to check in to this! The more light the better! If they do have a HID lamp for the GS1200 I would love to install one!

Posted by Leonard Goss (Member # 3172) on March 22, 2019, 02:13 PM:

Have you considered the possibility of an LED conversion? LEDs are so bright these days they are used for car headlamps. They are also very white and produce little or no heat. Also, long life. I realise that a DC supply would be required but I think it's worth considering.

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on March 22, 2019, 02:19 PM:

I will look in to it! To see what's best!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 22, 2019, 04:36 PM:

The brightest GS1200 on the planet is owned by John Clancy in the UK, and I believe it uses an HTI lamp. John uses it for the BFCC shows on the massive 30ft screen and it holds up very well. The conversion is very neat with the projector sitting on top of the high voltage power supply.

Posted by Bill Parsons (Member # 244) on March 23, 2019, 03:10 AM:

Thanks for your comments Paul, It was me that converted Johns GS1200 to HTI, there was a lot of work went into this getting the larger lamp to fit, and apart from the power supply you mention I had to cram an ignitor inside the projector, I did this by removing one of the speakers.
I have done a lot of HID conversions to the GS1200, the GS lends itself to this as it has a separate fan motor which I slightly increase the speed of, you can also utilise the built in still picture dowser, plus modify the lamp holder so that the HID lamp can be clamped in properly, the ballast I clamp underneath rather like the Xenon version, also increase the height of the rear foot assembly because of this. Not everyone likes the whiter light but the results are pretty impressive.
I have experimented with LED, but I personally can not find a way of concentrating/focusing the light through the tiny frame of the super 8mm film, it needs some sort of condenser lens, the LED lamps do of course work but make a better job of illuminating the lamphouse than the screen.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on March 23, 2019, 06:18 AM:

I have a friend who had an LED conversion fitted in to a 16mm B+H and he is very pleased with it.

There was talk from Steve Osbourne about a LED super 8 conversion on the way ? Not sure how far that got.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-3-x-ESC-24V-200W-PROJECTOR-LAMP-BULB-FOR-ELMO-GS1200-UK-STOCK/183737070791?hash=item2ac79534c7:g:GVIAAOSwJ-pbBFEz

Not sure what these are like but look good value.

A 1.0 or Xenovaron might be a good upgrade for now Clive if you just use the 1.1 ?

Best Mark.

Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on March 23, 2019, 08:06 AM:

Bill converted my GS to HID150 and, as expected, it is stunning. The light is a perfect colour temperature for film projection and makes faded prints look much better.

Posted by Clive Casey (Member # 6202) on March 23, 2019, 10:21 AM:

Thank you gents for all the comments, if I go ahead with it I will keep you all informed.
Best wishes to all. Clive

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on March 23, 2019, 05:05 PM:

I think I'll go HTI! It seems to give the best light! So we will see!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 24, 2019, 04:06 AM:

You won't regret it, Leon.
The output of the correct ESC is 3400 degrees Kelvin, whereas the HID 150 is a stunning 6500.
Sunlight in its purest form can only get to 5000!

Posted by Colin Fish (Member # 5679) on March 24, 2019, 01:22 PM:

Hello Maurice, What power supply would I need for this HID lamp?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 24, 2019, 03:03 PM:

Colin
You need a ballast.
It is quite some years ago now that my 16mm Bell & Howell was converted by my engineer. Click below to see the (now obsolete) ballast that was used.

https://internationallamps.co.uk/product/venture-electronic-ballast-for-hid-150w-vys150255/

Posted by Phil Murat (Member # 5148) on March 25, 2019, 03:06 AM:

Hello Maurice,

Do you have any picture for your conversion?

Do you confirm HID bulb life is expected to last about 750H ?

Thanks in advance

Phil

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 25, 2019, 04:08 AM:

Sorry Phil, I do not have any pictures.
There is nothing much to see, outwardly the only difference is a small toggle switch for the lamp. Inside the condenser lens assembly has been transferred into a lamp-holder, and the original perforated still shutter is now solid metal acting as a dowser. The original fan was removed to make room for the ballast. A small permanently on electric fan was installed. The electronics were very widely altered.
The conversion was done in March 2013 and since then it has done about 35 hours. As you say, it is claimed that the lamp's life is 750 hours, but I shall probably never get that far. [Big Grin]

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on March 25, 2019, 05:19 PM:

I can't wait to try this HTI Lamp out ! I am dieing to see this light output! I have someone getting me the kit! So we will see!

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