Re: Lights/RaceCar

[Bob Davis <bob@segNET.COM>]

At 06:45 AM 12/11/96 -0800, you wrote:
>
>>There were others, but I think I got the main points.  Don't know what these
>>bulbs cost, but the real expense is the controler/balast.  Very complicated.
>
>Do you know what the V-I characteristics of  a Xenon lamp are?  I would
>expect them to look sort of like other gas discharge lamps.  High voltage,
>low current until the plasma discharge starts then low voltage, high current.
>
Yes.  The trick with automotive apps is getting the warm-up time down to
nothing.  That's why the controller is so important.  The voltage and
current are listed in the article, and if you'd like, I'll get them to you.
I think the bulbs are called "Xenarc".  They're made by Osram.  

>If somebody made Xenon lamps that would fit standard halogen lamp sockets,
>I'd take a crack at the ballast.
>
It sounded like they were meant to replace H-1 bulbs, but it wasn't stated
explicitly.  Definitely worth a look  though.  If you had good reflectors
and lenses (read "European"), the bulbs would be great.  Never having to
replace the bulbs would be an advantge too.


Bob Davis		SEG Network Technologies, Inc.
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