Best Headlight Bulb.

Ed Askew

Ed Askew

Well-known member
What's the brightest light bulb you can use to make a headlight without melting it? The one I made uses a giant 18 wheeler headlamp, but my brother has one that uses an aircraft landing light. The beam is more concentrated and reaches out farther than mine (mine lights up a broad arc of marsh though.) Although, I have to admit that overall his light is better, and that bothers me. I see there's this GE Q4509 aircraft landing light that is supposed to be extremely bright. However, I remember reading somewhere not to use a certain very bright aircraft landing light as it would get so hot it would melt the hard hat. Who's got experience with this? I'm not going to buy a ready made one because I know I can whip one together better and more durable than any store bought light in about 15 minutes, and for a fraction of the cost.

Ed.
 
Ed, do you want a traditional incandescant, halogen or luxeon? If you are open to the led modules I would suggest a cree r2. 1 little module emits 300 lumens running 7.4 volts. As far as a halogen, I like the sho me (brand name) bulbs. I am unsure of the lumens but I have used these lights/lamps for several years. If the light is on for an extended period it get's hot.
 
What I'm talking about is much brighter. The light I'm almost sure will work fine (ge 4509) is close to 2000 lumens, depending on who you ask. I can't find any official data on it. This other one (ge q4509) is allegedly double that, but supposedly very hot. I'm talking 12 volts, 100 watts. The one I have lights up the marsh, but it's just not quite as good as my brothers! I want to make one that will blow his out of the water. May not be possible without catching my head on fire. This isn't a self contained light; it hooks up to the boat's battery. I found a little sealed lead acid 12 volt battery that is used to run an automatic gate that I use for portable applications (shooting armadillos at home.) I don't care what kind of light, just very bright, 12 volt, 200 watts or less, not so hot it'll set what's left of my hair on fire.

Ed.
 
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