Automotive headlight bulbs as Projector bulbs?

Website · Post by **Raimo** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:07 am

I could not find a posting on this topic using the " Search" function and I am sorry if this was discussed previously. Has anyone tried to use modern headlight bulbs as substitute bulbs in a projector? Any theoretical objections?

Post by **camera8mm** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:42 am

I use tail-light bulbs in the viewer/editors.
Headlight bulbs are simply too big!

Website · Post by **Raimo** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:55 pm

Most modern headlight bulbs in north American cars are actually smaller than the bulb that is used in my Bell & Howell dual 8mm projector ( DLH )and there would be no problem in fitting one into the bulb housing of my projector as far as space is concerned. The relevance of my original posting is that the DLH bulb is rated for less than 5 hours of use and costs in excess of $ 40. The real issues are color temperature, heat production, ability to focus on the film gate etc etc. if one plans to use substitute bulbs of this type.

Post by **BolexPlusX** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:59 pm

One issue you'd have to contend with is the power supply for the lamp. The bulb you are looking to replace is 120V, and automotive lamps are 12V (+/-)

Not an impossible problem to solve, but if you neglected it the results would be brief, yet awesome!