USHIO S400DD w/Ellipsoidal Reflector?

[TaskMaster]

I would like to use the Ushio S400DD with an ellipsoidal reflector but it seems most don't have a hole large enough to accept the bulb (about 50mm). What do you guys think is the likelyhood I could grind the opening larger on one of the reflectors from Edmund Optics? Can the glass be ground if you are slow and use an appropriate griding tool and speed? Is it just crazy trying to get one of these bulbs into an ellipsoidal reflector? The specs on this bulb can be seen here.

[ace3000_1]

Heya buddy thats kinda nuts, there is no way you will need a 400w in an ellipsidal reflector. A 250w will be way more then enough and way brighter then your 400w the way it is running now .

Trev

[tjh]

Originally posted by TaskMaster
I would like to use the Ushio S400DD with an ellipsoidal reflector but it seems most don't have a hole large enough to accept the bulb (about 50mm). What do you guys think is the likelyhood I could grind the opening larger on one of the reflectors from Edmund Optics? Can the glass be ground if you are slow and use an appropriate griding tool and speed? Is it just crazy trying to get one of these bulbs into an ellipsoidal reflector? The specs on this bulb can be seen here.

I'm looking into these bulbs too. Have you found any info? Also what ballast are you using?

[TaskMaster]

You run it with an S51 HPS ballast.

[sjetski71]

Originally posted by tjh


I'm looking into these bulbs too. Have you found any info? Also what ballast are you using?

Thats the one lumenlab sells in its new lighting kits. Users report much higher quality color results over their old EYE and Ushio bulbs. I'm currently in the middle of a LL build and i have the S400DD sitting right next to me. Can't wait till im finished.

Taskmaster, you sure you can run a Metal Hallide bulb in a high pressure sodium ballast properly? I have an electronic ballast since it came in the kit with the S400DD bulb.

[TaskMaster]

I am positive - it is what that particular bulb was designed to do. The first lines in that PDF spec sheet I posted a link to read:

METAL HALIDE LAMPS FOR HPS RETROFIT

USHIO Ultra-Arc™ Metal Halide lamps feature the best combination of color balance and color rendering quality available for a direct retrofit into High Pressure Sodium fixtures. The Ultra-Arc™ lamps are used in High Pressure Sodium fixtures where the high color rendering, and white light of metal halide is desired. Ideal for areas where security is a concern —higher color rendering lamps allow for surveillance/security cameras and eyewitnesses to visually interpret in true colors.

That is not to say you shouldn't run it with an electronic ballast - If I have the $$$ and Lumenlab shows them in stock when I order some parts I may well get one also! They are about 12lbs lighter, run more efficiently (saving electricity), are quieter, and generate less heat.

[TaskMaster]

sjetski71 - what size LCD are you using? I'd love to see some pics of what you've got! Are you using any reflector with the USHIO?

[sjetski71]

Don't have pics yet as i've butter fingered all my good digital cameras

I originally went with a 15" CMV 522a and it was quite impressive in its unstripped state. I've since swapped it with a 15" BenQ FP591 w/dvi since its
reported to have higher quality internals (?).

I expect to be finished within a few weekends hopefully so i eventually plan to start a new thread w/pics included