Homebrew PCBs

Hi John,

You wrote:

> Does your 500W halogen connect directly to the mains or does it need
> a ballast or current limiter?
>
> Do you use a base (socket) how do you connect to the bulb?

The floodlight is a yellow aluminium device with a glass cover and a
steel frame for sitting on the ground.  It is intended for building
sites and the like.  I took the glass cover off and used it for other
purposes.  This may slightly improve the UV output, but the main reason
I did so was because I have mine shining downwards and I wanted to
improve air flow around the lamp.  I left the wire frame safety guard in
place, so it is unlikely that I or anyone else is going to stick their
fingers into it while it is turned on.

I think these are produced in vast numbers in China, so the same
products are likely to be available in most countries, for instance:

http://www.jastimber.co.uk/products/electrical/lighting-floodlights/floodlight-portable-500w-fppsl500p-product.html

http://quickbit.co.uk/site-lights-task-lights-portable-floodlight

http://porlite.en.made-in-china.com/product/BbvECrcTbeYR/China-500W-Portable-Halogen-Worklight-YL1009-.html

I paid Australian $16 for mine at the nearby hardware store.  These
floodlighs use a small tubular filament lamp 119mm long, such as:

http://www.lamps-on-line.com/halogen-lights/linear-halogen/standard-linear-halogen/240v-500w-r7s-119mm.html

There's no ballast, since it is not a gas discharge tube.

  - Robin             http://www.firstpr.com.au/pcb-diy/