Using camera flash light as a light?

Kage · 10-May-03, 04:35 PM

Alright, I have disposable camera and would like to hook up that unbearably bright light that is used as the flash to my PSU, as are cold cathodes. Anyone have any tips on how I could go about this? Would the light produce an insane amount of heat being on for a few hours? I'm sure the light could light up a hole room, so I just may use it as that

I still have a few pics left so I can't see the crap inside it. I know it's quite dangerous playing around inside the camera......capicitors will shock your arm badly, already happened, but I am willing to take some chances. If anyone else wants to try something or do it before me, great.

M.D.K. · 10-May-03, 05:58 PM

I'm not sure, but i'd imagine it would burn out in a few minutes under contiuous power. You can try it though.

Iateronmly · 10-May-03, 06:45 PM

A camera flash would last only a few seconds on a continual power supply. Won't work unless you reduced the voltage/amperage to it by a huge margin and then I still doubt it lasting long. Remember, it was only a few years ago where flashs were only good for one use even. Reason for the capitors in the first place - it is the only easy way to power the flash for a few milliseconds without causing melt down.

Basicly - the element wasn't ment for that use, and no feasable way to mod it to work. My advise is, buy a bright LED or simular item designed for a heavy duty cycle.

Slider · 10-May-03, 08:10 PM

Not to mention it would get pretty hot too.

Iateronmly · 10-May-03, 08:58 PM

Well, it'd only be hot for a little while after it melts down.

Slider · 10-May-03, 11:42 PM

True. Hold a camera flash in the palm of your hand and set it off. Pretty warm. Imagine if you could keep it going without melting. It'd get pretty hot. Throw the flash in the trash.

Hey, I made a rhym.

FeRaL · 11-May-03, 12:18 AM

just water cool it

carbongraphite · 11-May-03, 02:55 AM

it would probably explode in shards or quartz glass.

actually the tube is too cheap to get alot of flashes. and flashtubes arent designed to continuously stay on. thats what xenon and HID lamps are for. even the DMX512 controlled pro strobelights can only do that really fast almost like its constantly on light for just a few seconds untill they burn. if you like it just for the color temp buy some white LEDs

Kage · 12-May-03, 08:59 PM

Ah, alright, just thought I'd see what anyone had to say

I just saw it and was thinking of what a great replacement for coldcathodes. I thought something like that would happen.

me_john85 · 12-May-03, 10:57 PM

last year me and my firends make cheep tazers out of disposible cameras, they hurt when you get zaped with them but there still fun muhahahahahah, anyways yeah im shure it would burn up

star882 · 13-May-03, 09:19 PM

http://members.misty.com/don/contxe.html

Slider · 13-May-03, 09:38 PM

I thought of this post last night while watching CSI:Miami. Guy used the flash from a disposable camera as a time delay for a bomb.

Don't get any ideas any of you.

10-May-03, 04:35 PM		#1 (permalink)
Kage Lokie's Personal WU-Hoe	Using camera flash light as a light? Alright, I have disposable camera and would like to hook up that unbearably bright light that is used as the flash to my PSU, as are cold cathodes. Anyone have any tips on how I could go about this? Would the light produce an insane amount of heat being on for a few hours? I'm sure the light could light up a hole room, so I just may use it as that I still have a few pics left so I can't see the crap inside it. I know it's quite dangerous playing around inside the camera......capicitors will shock your arm badly, already happened, but I am willing to take some chances. If anyone else wants to try something or do it before me, great.

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10-May-03, 05:58 PM		#2 (permalink)
M.D.K. Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	I'm not sure, but i'd imagine it would burn out in a few minutes under contiuous power. You can try it though.

10-May-03, 06:45 PM		#3 (permalink)
Iateronmly Smooth Operator	A camera flash would last only a few seconds on a continual power supply. Won't work unless you reduced the voltage/amperage to it by a huge margin and then I still doubt it lasting long. Remember, it was only a few years ago where flashs were only good for one use even. Reason for the capitors in the first place - it is the only easy way to power the flash for a few milliseconds without causing melt down. Basicly - the element wasn't ment for that use, and no feasable way to mod it to work. My advise is, buy a bright LED or simular item designed for a heavy duty cycle.

10-May-03, 08:10 PM		#4 (permalink)
Slider Ghostrider	Not to mention it would get pretty hot too.

10-May-03, 08:58 PM		#5 (permalink)
Iateronmly Smooth Operator	Well, it'd only be hot for a little while after it melts down.

10-May-03, 11:42 PM		#6 (permalink)
Slider Ghostrider	True. Hold a camera flash in the palm of your hand and set it off. Pretty warm. Imagine if you could keep it going without melting. It'd get pretty hot. Throw the flash in the trash. Hey, I made a rhym.

11-May-03, 12:18 AM		#7 (permalink)
FeRaL Mutant Moderator	just water cool it

11-May-03, 02:55 AM		#8 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	it would probably explode in shards or quartz glass. actually the tube is too cheap to get alot of flashes. and flashtubes arent designed to continuously stay on. thats what xenon and HID lamps are for. even the DMX512 controlled pro strobelights can only do that really fast almost like its constantly on light for just a few seconds untill they burn. if you like it just for the color temp buy some white LEDs

12-May-03, 08:59 PM		#9 (permalink)
Kage Lokie's Personal WU-Hoe	Ah, alright, just thought I'd see what anyone had to say I just saw it and was thinking of what a great replacement for coldcathodes. I thought something like that would happen.

12-May-03, 10:57 PM		#10 (permalink)
me_john85 Camp Pen-Hoe-tan's Hoe	last year me and my firends make cheep tazers out of disposible cameras, they hurt when you get zaped with them but there still fun muhahahahahah, anyways yeah im shure it would burn up

13-May-03, 09:19 PM		#11 (permalink)
star882 Apex Advanced Techie	http://members.misty.com/don/contxe.html

13-May-03, 09:38 PM		#12 (permalink)
Slider Ghostrider	I thought of this post last night while watching CSI:Miami. Guy used the flash from a disposable camera as a time delay for a bomb. Don't get any ideas any of you.