Car headlights - usable?

[moody]

I am just trying to find out what is so necessary about using a 120 / 240 volt lighting system. Would there be any problem with hooking up car headlights (high beams?) to a 12 volt supply / mixing desk? Would they have enough light in the right sort of quantity?

I presume that actual power usage would be about the same.

As you can tell, I know absolutely nothing.

[Rimmer]

Originally posted by moody
I am just trying to find out what is so necessary about using a 120 / 240 volt lighting system. Would there be any problem with hooking up car headlights (high beams?) to a 12 volt supply / mixing desk? Would they have enough light in the right sort of quantity?

I presume that actual power usage would be about the same.

As you can tell, I know absolutely nothing.

A twelve volt DC supply more to the point. How would you then control the DC power supply. You would need a DC dimmer... Hmm....

I wouldn't tell anyone that a light wont work as a light, as many people have creative ideas for their shows and anything goes. I would be concerned that all you are ending up with is a lens that is designed to illuminate the road ahead rather than just buying a Par64 bulb which has the AC filament as well as the option to put it in a Par64 shell.

Due to the headlights low wattage, the light output might not suit and you would still need to put in an a shell of some sort. Check out your local prices for Par64 lamps and the shells. You might make more trouble with the dimming than it's would be worth.

Rimmer

[fenfer air conditioner]

Air craft landing lights are 12 volts. There is a way to wire 10 of them in series. (12Vx10=120V)

The issue I would have is more of a mounting, then saftey concerns. By the time you built a fixture for them you would have spent about the same as a par 56 can.

Not recommended.

[Rimmer]

Originally posted by fenfer air conditioner
Air craft landing lights are 12 volts. There is a way to wire 10 of them in series. (12Vx10=120V)

The issue I would have is more of a mounting, then saftey concerns. By the time you built a fixture for them you would have spent about the same as a par 56 can.

Not recommended.

ACL's are a very specific beam which is still used in some rock and roll. It's a bit cheesy these days for me and isn't much good as a general wash light. Good point though...

You can wire 10 x 12volt anything in series (or 20 at 240vac) but when one of the lamps blows, the whole gig goes down...

Rimmer

[fenfer air conditioner]

I just think that by the time you get everything put together it all just aint worth it.