Martin Hong Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 (edited) Recently i just found out about this cool lighting gear by Airstar.. they have balloon, fly mattress light that are amazing to be in the place where no other light can be.. But a question came to my mind.. how'd they fit the light in a flying balloon? Can't find tech spec on their website: http://www.airstar-light.com/corporate/en/cinema-tv-photo So i presume that the balloons are using helium, but how'd they manage to fit the light inside that's powerful enough.. with the heat problem? Helium is stable with heat going around? Just curious about how they work... anybody care to explain? thanks! Edited January 9, 2012 by Martin Hong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Hong Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Flying mattress in action... Does a very great job and eliminating the rigging problem.. Although not windy day friendly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Brereton Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 They don't put an actual lamp inside the balloon, just the globe, and whatever fitting it requires. They are often fitted with a mix of tungsten and HMI globes. Helium is an inert gas, so no problems with the heat. Obviously you don't switch the globes on until the balloon is inflated or you'd burn the fabric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Millar Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Does a very great job and eliminating the rigging problem.. Hmmmm, you're just rigging in reverse I suppose its nice in that you can 'counterweight' the lamps weight and have a near neutral object - but you still have to lock it off in three dimensions which might involve some rigging fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Hong Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 They don't put an actual lamp inside the balloon, just the globe, and whatever fitting it requires. They are often fitted with a mix of tungsten and HMI globes. Helium is an inert gas, so no problems with the heat. Obviously you don't switch the globes on until the balloon is inflated or you'd burn the fabric. I knew that they don't put the entire lamp inside.. but curious how its wired and mounted inside.. We are talking about HMI and tungsten, those are tricky to handle, just as you said, i presume that the fabric isn't that heat resistant. Hmmmm, you're just rigging in reverse I suppose its nice in that you can 'counterweight' the lamps weight and have a near neutral object - but you still have to lock it off in three dimensions which might involve some rigging fun Chris, what i meant was something like this For a overhead light it becomes easier since you dont need heavy duty rigs or cranes.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Millar Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Sure, but imagine those in the wind though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Hong Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Sure, but imagine those in the wind though... lol yeah, that's why i said its not wind friendly I still can't find any details from the inside construction.. Since i would like to experiment with something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Porter Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I've just been around these on a shoot, and from what I can gather with a few chats with the balloon op, inside the balloon is just a bubble in a holder with a (very sensitive) safety circuit which senses the inflation of the balloon. If it's under inflated, the thing won't turn on, or it'll cut out if there is a leak. We used the tungsten versions, which had external boxes housing switches and fuses. They would've been great if it wasn't for the wind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Porter Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Sure, but imagine those in the wind though... If they really had to be used in windy situations, I've heard about them being inflated in scaffold cages and sent up on a cherry picker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Millar Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 If they really had to be used in windy situations, I've heard about them being inflated in scaffold cages and sent up on a cherry picker. Sounds like the perfect solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now