DIY HID light help

[sputnik]

Hi friends
I'm starting to set in motion my plan to build my first 21W HID canister dive light.

I'm looking into buying either one of these batteries:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=988
http://www.batteryjunction.com/12v10nibapaf.html

and one of these chargers:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1215&HS=1
http://www.batteryjunction.com/unsmch.html

what is your take on using these parts?
any feedback would be great.
my e-mail is info@vjsputnik.com
Thanks
Doron

[Gibby]

I went with the C cell battery pack from battery space.

Very good batteries.
Very simple charger.

Where are you getting the 21W hid bulb and ballast from?

[curtschu]

But for some reason it did not appear :?:

Anyway, here is my take on the DIY HID. Make all the canisters and battery packs you want. But unless you are not going to buy a large quanity of bulbs and ballast units, it just is not worth the trouble.
Here's a little story of my jump to HID

I had a good week in the Bounce House business and was flush with cash so I went to the local High Springs HID retailer and asked about buying a 18W head and goodman/relfector. I planned to attach it to my 14-18 Ahr battery canister that I have been diving 50w Halogen for years with. The Batteries are brand new and since I didn't have THAT much cash it made sense. Before I could say anything Dwayne had my old head off and was busy putting together the new head. Cool I had a hour before I needed to meet Lee and John. Dwayne checked the polarity and made everything tight and clean so when he turned on the power and POOF burnt ballast everyone was very surprized.... Imagine my shagrin had I just walked out with that unit to install myself....

Anyway Dwayne put together another unit and it fired right up and worked perfect all weekend.

The moral is I purchased the main (expensive) item through a retail outlet. Yes I saved money using SLA batteries and my DIY canister but I was really really happy to have Retail support when things went sideways.

Curt

[Gibby]

My 10w hid has a grand total of $190 for all materials used.

Having access to a lathe is most important.

No issues here.
Just make sure you pressure test the head and canister with no battery of hid parts before you put it into service.

I have never purchased a retail canister light from hal all the way to hid.

Currently I am doing a 24w german made hid.

Party on

[sputnik]

Where are you getting the 21W hid bulb and ballast from?

I'm still looking around...

I've looked here:
http://www.hidtechnologies.com.au/

and here:
http://www.magnalight.com/pc-84-30-hid-metal-halide-rechargeable-flashlights--click-for-prices.aspx?OVRAW=Hid%20Lights&OVKEY=hid%20light&OVMTC=standard

worst case I'll go for 18W

let me know if you could come up with a good deal
cheers
D~