When I grew up in the 1960's, there were companies that rented old WWII spots like that for car dealers, movie premiers, etc. They had the desired effect on me, I always wanted to follow the beam and find out where they were at. They were impressive up close with their huge light with the massive carbon arc burning and the engine roaring.
My father owned Sun Ray Lighting in Los Angeles. As a kid I would work at the business with my brother cleaning the 60" mirror with Bon Ami, clean the brushes, check the carbon, etc. before they went out to open new businesses, new car introductions, grand openings, etc. Continued to do that while going to college. Paid good money for the time. He ended up making many replacement parts for the lights and selling them. Long time ago.
I remember these when I was a kid in the 70's. They were usually at furniture stores if I remember. It made a lasting impression that I'll never forget. Thank you for keeping this great old equipment alive.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s these were very common, used to attract people to businesses, fairs, etc. they’re still some of them around, but you don’t see them as much.
The only thing he won't be able to Pop. But yes, I would love for him to get ahold of one. Quite easy to rig up a makeshift one though minus the Giant Convex Lens.
78 Volts and 150 Amps at the rods after the Ballast Resistor so almost 12,000 Watts. Lumens are probably about 42 Lumens Per Watt so about 491,000 Lumens. This is all based on a new condition reflector which is not the case in all of these lights so drop the Lumens by 10% or more. Candle Power was originally about 850,000,000 and again, drop this depending on condition of the reflector. I owned one of these - G.E. 1942A for a few years.
If memory serves me well, the Negative rod lasted about 1.5 to 1.75 hours and the Positive rod about 2.5 to 2.45 hours, give or take. The negative rod is 7/16" diameter and the positive rod is 5/8".
In the General Electric version, I'd set an initial arc gap when replacing the rod(s) of about 1/2". When the power lever was engaged, the control system would automatically move one of the rods (I don't remember which one) into the other one making contact and striking the arc and then move the rod back to the proper gap (maybe 1/8" to 1/4" (again, don't remember exactly). There was an optical sensor/mirror that would automatically maintain the arc by rotating and advancing the positive rod. There is a very sophisticated electrics and gearbox on the outside of the light drum that did all this fancy automatic work. Very advanced for it's time. Yes, some say that about 42 Lumens per Watt is produced, some say in the high 30's. The original positive rod had a core composed of the element Cerium that enhanced the Lumens per Watt produced over standard solid carbon rods. I understand that my light still sits unused by its current owner for years down in Banning CA. I convinced my wife I needed a hobby for my retirement and the light was it for a few years.
Remember when these things were all over the place, used as attractions for movie opening, carnivals, car sales? Now they've been replaced by three-in-one automated whirligigs using mercury vapor lamps...
That laser blinding pilots ... Cockpit is pointed front up not front down ( except if flying inverted 🙃) so laser wil hit a plane on belly ! Is about sensor avionics underbelly (foto cells, camera, etc ) which a powerful laser and optics focusing on those devices can fry! That jail is valid if seen laser ( green, red, blue...) on IR ( more powerful even using diodes ) is not visible for third parties ( only wearing night vision....).
A fascinating video, but I wish there was a bit of commentary to tell us something about the method of striking tha arc, a bit of history and a back story of it's discovery and restoration. The engine sounds nice, but that's all we're hearing. Cheers!
That's cute. We had those spotlights lighting up the night (back in the 60s and 70s) for any number of store openings, festivals, etc. I was fortunate enough to get close to one and see that exact setup (generator and light). I would have loved to have seen details about how the arc was struck, and then how it was maintained - that was the most interesting part!
Yeah, in the 70’s in western NY state two lights in the sky usually meant there was a carnival was open, with the distance they were visible, you could tell which town they were at.
Watched another vid couple days ago on WW2 German search light. Guess this is how this one came to my recommendations. It goes into detail how the arc is struck and then maintained. ua-cam.com/video/wbMs2AaQUVw/v-deo.html
In the General Electric version, I'd set an initial arc gap when replacing the rod(s) of about 1/2". When the power lever was engaged, the control system would automatically move one of the rods (I don't remember which one) into the other one making contact and striking the arc and then move the rod back to the proper gap (maybe 1/8" to 1/4" (again, don't remember exactly). There was an optical sensor/mirror that would automatically maintain the arc by rotating and advancing the positive rod. There is a very sophisticated electrics and gearbox on the outside of the light drum that did all this fancy automatic work. Very advanced for it's time. Yes, some say that about 42 Lumens per Watt is produced, some say in the high 30's. The original positive rod had a core composed of the element Cerium that enhanced the Lumens per Watt produced over standard solid carbon rods.
@@BVHVVH The larger stage spots used a system like this, as your average stagehand wasn't very adept at keeping things carefully adjusted like that, especially when his primary job was keeping his spot in the right place and spread. Projectionists had similar "busy hands" concerns.
In the 1950s it was common to hold Searchlight Tatoos, with military displays, like the Edinburgh Tatoo. I went o one at the Pilot Field, Hastings. The searhlights were coloured.
Did the rods have to be manually adjusted to keep the arc lit, like in older movie theater projectors? Or did it have a mechanically automated adjuster to keep the arc distance just right? I worked in a theater many decades ago and there was one of each type of projector.
They actually show the voltage and current. They ran it from 70 to 80 volts at the generator at about 60 Amps, so the power is in the range of 4.2 to 4.8 KW, or about the same power as a construction light with 4 1125 Watt Metal Halide lamps. However the AC Halide lamps use a ballast inductor so more power is sent to the bulbs. The searchlight on the other hand uses a resistor bank to make the arc current stable. The voltage at the arc is typically between 24 to 30 Volts. At the same current this puts 1440 to 1800 Watts of power in the arc. This is about the same power a projector used for a large screen drive in movie theater.
True, but they still had there use for spotting planes, pointed at clouds to provide 'Moonlight' or just to blind there enemies. Jokes about that last bit although maybe that tactic was indeed used.
8:45 If only modern machines sounded so guttural when they kicked in. Soft starts and computer controlled starts make things last longer, but as a result they become so dull! Watch your shit come up to operating temperature/pressures, and earn a wage while doing so.
Now imagine if thay had Carbon Arc FLASHLIGHTS during WWII? Would have been a game changer because the intensity and the UV would probably cause some serious retinal damage.
What must be this for a view from the ISS ... watching the beams when they leave the cloudeslayer... try it to point on a clear night to the dark moon and find out if the moon earth distance reflector is answer ...☝️🧐 it shut happen then in aprxx. 2 seconds ...
I wonder why they never made Carbon Arc Flashlights? HIDs are great and all, but they lack the sheer Surface Brightness of a CA Lamp. If someone made a Carbon Arc Flashlight today, it would blow people's minds. Would be very inefficient though and would require a very powerful Driver and a Ballast.
![ЛЕБЕДЕВ у ДУДЯ: муху не обманешь 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E74h5fvVrqs/mqdefault.jpg)
When I grew up in the 1960's, there were companies that rented old WWII spots like that for car dealers, movie premiers, etc. They had the desired effect on me, I always wanted to follow the beam and find out where they were at. They were impressive up close with their huge light with the massive carbon arc burning and the engine roaring.
My father owned Sun Ray Lighting in Los Angeles. As a kid I would work at the business with my brother cleaning the 60" mirror with Bon Ami, clean the brushes, check the carbon, etc. before they went out to open new businesses, new car introductions, grand openings, etc. Continued to do that while going to college. Paid good money for the time. He ended up making many replacement parts for the lights and selling them. Long time ago.
@@2098elk that’s pretty cool. I’d like to have one of those
I talked to a guy yesterday who was still doing this, I talked to him about the searchlight for a solid hour
They are drawing straws to see who flies the plane through the beam so the anti aircraft guys get their turn. 😂😂
I remember these when I was a kid in the 70's. They were usually at furniture stores if I remember. It made a lasting impression that I'll never forget. Thank you for keeping this great old equipment alive.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s these were very common, used to attract people to businesses, fairs, etc.
they’re still some of them around, but you don’t see them as much.
Please please please, someone get one of these into the hands of PhotonicInduction. You know why.
The only thing he won't be able to Pop. But yes, I would love for him to get ahold of one.
Quite easy to rig up a makeshift one though minus the Giant Convex Lens.
Photonic induction is long gone
78 Volts and 150 Amps at the rods after the Ballast Resistor so almost 12,000 Watts. Lumens are probably about 42 Lumens Per Watt so about 491,000 Lumens. This is all based on a new condition reflector which is not the case in all of these lights so drop the Lumens by 10% or more. Candle Power was originally about 850,000,000 and again, drop this depending on condition of the reflector. I owned one of these - G.E. 1942A for a few years.
That's amazing but how did you convince your wife that you needed 491,000 lumen searchlight? thats what I really want to know 🤣🤣🤣
how long do the rods last for?
If memory serves me well, the Negative rod lasted about 1.5 to 1.75 hours and the Positive rod about 2.5 to 2.45 hours, give or take. The negative rod is 7/16" diameter and the positive rod is 5/8".
@@BVHVVH OMG that thing burns darn quick!
In the General Electric version, I'd set an initial arc gap when replacing the rod(s) of about 1/2". When the power lever was engaged, the control system would automatically move one of the rods (I don't remember which one) into the other one making contact and striking the arc and then move the rod back to the proper gap (maybe 1/8" to 1/4" (again, don't remember exactly). There was an optical sensor/mirror that would automatically maintain the arc by rotating and advancing the positive rod. There is a very sophisticated electrics and gearbox on the outside of the light drum that did all this fancy automatic work. Very advanced for it's time.
Yes, some say that about 42 Lumens per Watt is produced, some say in the high 30's. The original positive rod had a core composed of the element Cerium that enhanced the Lumens per Watt produced over standard solid carbon rods.
I understand that my light still sits unused by its current owner for years down in Banning CA. I convinced my wife I needed a hobby for my retirement and the light was it for a few years.
Today we have more efficient lighting but the carbon arc is still the most powerful , after over 100 years.
Its all about a biggg Spark.
@@Pitchplus8 in xenon light you can also find a big spark but i have never seen a very large xenon light bulb.
@@RandomInside Photonicinduction had one yearsssss ago if memory serves me right
@@davidtheawesomeone5358 30kw and 50kw.
LEDs are great, but I don't imagine any Single Diode LEDs that will beat a Carbon Arc Lamp any time soon in terms of Surface Brightness.
A carbon arc searchlight beam can be seen for 20 miles.
Remember when these things were all over the place, used as attractions for movie opening, carnivals, car sales? Now they've been replaced by three-in-one automated whirligigs using mercury vapor lamps...
At least they're still using Arc Lamp tech.
I can still hear Tweety Bird yelling "TURN OUT THOSE LIGHTS!!!" 😁
My dad was in the RA during ww2, 400 indp sl bat, he was in one of 4 searchlight batterys sent to North Africa,
During WW2 these cost about half a million dollars.
And pilots today think laser pointers are annoying.
Not annoying, blinding. Laser is a hell of a lot more focused, than this. This’ll light them up, a laser will blind.
Yup,
let some perp try aiming one of these suckers into the cockpit of a landing plane and see where it will land them.
@@matte2160 I still wouldn't point this at a plane. You'll get jail time for that.
That laser blinding pilots ... Cockpit is pointed front up not front down ( except if flying inverted 🙃) so laser wil hit a plane on belly ! Is about sensor avionics underbelly (foto cells, camera, etc ) which a powerful laser and optics focusing on those devices can fry! That jail is valid if seen laser ( green, red, blue...) on IR ( more powerful even using diodes ) is not visible for third parties ( only wearing night vision....).
I wanna see what it will look like if you point it in a middle of a field
Thx × xactly !!! ☝️👍🤝✌️🐞
Some of these were converted to xenon short arc bulbs and used to advertise a grand opening at a market or other business.
Awesome Device !! Beautifully built 🤘👍👏🤝🤞🍀😘
90 volts at 60 amps-just don't mess with the power cables when it's powered on ( lethal current/voltage combo)
A fascinating video, but I wish there was a bit of commentary to tell us something about the method of striking tha arc, a bit of history and a back story of it's discovery and restoration. The engine sounds nice, but that's all we're hearing. Cheers!
That's cute. We had those spotlights lighting up the night (back in the 60s and 70s) for any number of store openings, festivals, etc. I was fortunate enough to get close to one and see that exact setup (generator and light). I would have loved to have seen details about how the arc was struck, and then how it was maintained - that was the most interesting part!
Yeah, in the 70’s in western NY state two lights in the sky usually meant there was a carnival was open, with the distance they were visible, you could tell which town they were at.
Watched another vid couple days ago on WW2 German search light. Guess this is how this one came to my recommendations. It goes into detail how the arc is struck and then maintained. ua-cam.com/video/wbMs2AaQUVw/v-deo.html
In the General Electric version, I'd set an initial arc gap when replacing the rod(s) of about 1/2". When the power lever was engaged, the control system would automatically move one of the rods (I don't remember which one) into the other one making contact and striking the arc and then move the rod back to the proper gap (maybe 1/8" to 1/4" (again, don't remember exactly). There was an optical sensor/mirror that would automatically maintain the arc by rotating and advancing the positive rod. There is a very sophisticated electrics and gearbox on the outside of the light drum that did all this fancy automatic work. Very advanced for it's time.
Yes, some say that about 42 Lumens per Watt is produced, some say in the high 30's. The original positive rod had a core composed of the element Cerium that enhanced the Lumens per Watt produced over standard solid carbon rods.
@@BVHVVH The larger stage spots used a system like this, as your average stagehand wasn't very adept at keeping things carefully adjusted like that, especially when his primary job was keeping his spot in the right place and spread. Projectionists had similar "busy hands" concerns.
Nice, thanks for the upload
It looks so badass
Gorgeous!
In the 1950s it was common to hold Searchlight Tatoos, with military displays, like the Edinburgh Tatoo. I went o one at the Pilot Field, Hastings. The searhlights were coloured.
I'm betting the filters wouldn't last very long...
When you're a Petrolhead but also a Flashaholic (Flashlight Hobbyist).
And that is how you lure the biggest moth of them all!
ANd vaporize it rapidly!
Mothra
Very cool. Wonder just how many of these are still around and in working order.
Hello, does anyone here know where I can hire a WWII searchlight in the UK for a tv production? Thank you for your help!
Did the rods have to be manually adjusted to keep the arc lit, like in older movie theater projectors? Or did it have a mechanically automated adjuster to keep the arc distance just right? I worked in a theater many decades ago and there was one of each type of projector.
They were automatically adjusted
@@Dog.soldier1950 Thanks. I appreciate your answer.
@@Dog.soldier1950 They had to be, since the unit was being moved almost continually.
That's some serious throw.
Amazing what you can do with a spark and a mirrror
I'll bet it would work great mounted on a good SLR!
Awsome but can some explain why the beam of light looks like it just stops in the air and not go any further?
All you need is the 20th Century Fox logo
Christian's. When you die this technology will be lost forever. Thanks for sharing.
How many lumen is this?
Nice beamers.
I would really have liked to see this, - my dad was in the RA during the war on searchlights.
SCALAR WAVES WHERE TWO LIGHTS INTERSECT
Nice death-ray u got there:) how many lumens? Can it be seen from space?
How many lumens is this?
1 Solar.
Need some serious amperage to power these.carbon arc uses electricity like no tomorrow
They actually show the voltage and current. They ran it from 70 to 80 volts at the generator at about 60 Amps, so the power is in the range of 4.2 to 4.8 KW, or about the same power as a construction light with 4 1125 Watt Metal Halide lamps. However the AC Halide lamps use a ballast inductor so more power is sent to the bulbs. The searchlight on the other hand uses a resistor bank to make the arc current stable. The voltage at the arc is typically between 24 to 30 Volts. At the same current this puts 1440 to 1800 Watts of power in the arc. This is about the same power a projector used for a large screen drive in movie theater.
Actually, they were very efficient... But a little too much for a reading lamp.
3:10 Fox Kids, Rocks Kids!
The only problem with that light is, the beam traces directly back to the operator.
True, but they still had there use for spotting planes, pointed at clouds to provide 'Moonlight' or just to blind there enemies.
Jokes about that last bit although maybe that tactic was indeed used.
Wouldn’t that smoke cut out a large amount of light?
Fly a drone through the beam, please..
All you need now is a batman sign put into that!!!
The Batman idea was rooted in these searchlights...
I use this as a night light
Reminds me of the war for LA...
Haha you all were well away from the war
I'm imaginin' one bright one, in the center, w/ a pair of dimmer ones on each side. One ginormous middle finger!
I live in the country and my neighbors are salty
Don’t cross the streams.
Batman- thanks for the false call
This thing must get so hot.
Yeah, I wouldn't stand in front of it unless you want a tan...
did you realise you had captured a shooting star @ 2.30 ?
Could have also been a satellite
Lol. It was a moth.
Send out the bat signal over Gotham city
your gas tank is almost empty....get some Bofors AA guns ...trigger happy crew....some Buzz- bombs and let's ROCK !!!!!!
put a bat signal for the fun
BAT MAN
If you made 20th century fox
8:45 If only modern machines sounded so guttural when they kicked in. Soft starts and computer controlled starts make things last longer, but as a result they become so dull! Watch your shit come up to operating temperature/pressures, and earn a wage while doing so.
May day may day may day lol 🛰🛰🛰🛰🛰🛰😁
What a sight! I wonder how many people here would see Junkers bombers in the cross beams or Batman haha!
Pardon my ignoring, but what is a junker?
@@barberjeff67 German Aircraft manufacturer, famous for the Ju87 "Stuka" dive-bomber that was widely used during the first half of the war.
@@consuminginternalorgans thank you!
Similar german searchlights were used to track british or american bombers in WW2 during nightraids
Now imagine if thay had Carbon Arc FLASHLIGHTS during WWII? Would have been a game changer because the intensity and the UV would probably cause some serious retinal damage.
What must be this for a view from the ISS ... watching the beams when they leave the cloudeslayer... try it to point on a clear night to the dark moon and find out if the moon earth distance reflector is answer ...☝️🧐 it shut happen then in aprxx. 2 seconds ...
GERMANS TOPº1 FOREVER
Ахуенно!!!
I'm really butthurt after watching this as it makes my Osram and SBT90.2 flashlights look weak.
I wonder why they never made Carbon Arc Flashlights? HIDs are great and all, but they lack the sheer Surface Brightness of a CA Lamp. If someone made a Carbon Arc Flashlight today, it would blow people's minds. Would be very inefficient though and would require a very powerful Driver and a Ballast.
I wonder how LEPs compare to this?
Boomers fly pretty high up how could this reach them
Myst like…
Don’t cross the streams, Why? It would be bad.