Abstract: A power supply system for portable floodlighting equipment employing high-intensity electric discharge lamps comprises an alternating current generator having three or more independent armature windings, one for producing independently current at a voltage sufficiently high for starting a discharge lamp in series with a capacitor. The windings are out of phase with one another and interference with the operation of the lamps energized by the separate and independent windings and electric apparatus energized by the standard voltage generator is effectively eliminated. The use of the generator winding for starting and energizing the lamps eliminates the usual starting ballast and decreases the weight and cost of the portable floodlighting unit.