Really, how good is your light?
#1
Posted 20 April 2006 - 02:12 PM
So is this something that other divers consider? And if so, what is the burn time on your light? Do you plan dives where you need to charge your light or change out batteries on your surface interval? The burn time on my rechargeable light canister is 4 hours fully charged, so currently it has been adequate for my dive needs. It was an expensive light, however, and a recent purchase. Prior to moving into heavier planned dives, I would not have had an appropriate light.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#2
Posted 20 April 2006 - 02:21 PM
So how long do you think before they come out with the HID light that you shake for thirty seconds for five minutes of light?
By all that is wet, I do hereby swear, (politely), and attest, upon pain of never diving again, (real or imagined), that I understand and affirm, that I agree to the above.
_________________________________________(log in name signature)
Signed and Dated
#3
Posted 20 April 2006 - 02:45 PM
depending on what cave systems i'm crawling around in.
i can usualy get away with 4 dives a day and then recharge it at night.
some of the shallower systems = longer dive times and start to push the lights charge.
but when i know i'm going to be doing the longer dives, i'll plug it in to charge during surface intervals.
#4
Posted 20 April 2006 - 03:23 PM
That said, I'll probably step up to a more powerful handheld canister light if I start diving more on local wrecks. Will probably look for at least 4hrs per charge.
BB
Edited by BubbleBoy, 20 April 2006 - 03:40 PM.
When you make fish laugh, they can't bite you.
#5
Posted 20 April 2006 - 03:40 PM
10w HID for 4 hours.
10w HID for 2 hours first dive, LED light for the rest of the day
LED for all weekend
Screw on a backup canister for HID all weekend
You can certainly bring spare batteries (and should) if loss of your dive light means the end of your dive day.
#6
Posted 20 April 2006 - 03:53 PM
Where do you plug it in during your SI? I just bought a converter for my vehicle for my laptop, but have considered it could be used for my light in a pinch or if I forgot to charge my light the night before - I could charge it on my drive up to the dive site (2.5+ hours of drive time). Has anyone recharged a canister battery from their car? Is there some sort of hazard I should be aware of? I don't want to end up posting about a car fire here in the near future!but when i know i'm going to be doing the longer dives, i'll plug it in to charge during surface intervals.
I was once told by a dive buddy, it's never good Nicolle when your dive stories start out "It seemed like a good idea at the time..."
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#7
Posted 20 April 2006 - 04:23 PM
Knowing this, I recently had my 10 watt HID canister light upgraded in two ways: First, I got a second battery pack and charger. My new battery pack will last for eight hours on a single charge. Then, I can use my old battery pack for another four hours while the first is recharging. If I am in the water beyond 12 hours in a single day, I guess it will be time to buy another set.
Second, I had a second canister lid, cord and light head assembly made. If I am on a trip, and my light fails due to a burned out bulb, a bad ballast, a cord problem or a burned out switch, I can just take off the entire light head assembly, pop on the backup, and get back in the water. I will deal with any issues regarding the first light head assembly after the trip. The last thing you want to do after spending a lot of money on a dive trip is to have to abort a dive due to equipment failures in situtations like this.
Although my light is only 10 watts, it is as bright as many of the 18 watt lights out there due to the light shroud, which makes the beam come out looking like a Star Wars light saver. http://www.ekpp.de/i.../equipment.html. It also keeps the size of the light head a lot more compact.
I carry two LED backup lights that can burn for over three days on a set of batteries. http://www.golemgear...ckup-light.aspx. They are compact, tough and a lot brighter than many people's primary lights. Their beam is quite even, too.
Lights are expensive. However, in a bad moment, a good, working light can mean the difference between life and death. A bit dramatic sounding. However, it is true.
"For the diligent diver, closed circuit rebreathers are actually safer than open circuit scuba." Tom Mount
#8
Posted 20 April 2006 - 04:25 PM
Right now my 18watt HID is perfect for my current application. Plus I carry two back-ups on my harness for emergencies.
#9
Posted 20 April 2006 - 04:45 PM
Not only have I charged a light, I have also charged a scooter battery from an inverter in my truck. I don't think it's a problem.Has anyone recharged a canister battery from their car? Is there some sort of hazard I should be aware of? I don't want to end up posting about a car fire here in the near future!
"For the diligent diver, closed circuit rebreathers are actually safer than open circuit scuba." Tom Mount
#10
Posted 20 April 2006 - 05:16 PM
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#11
Posted 20 April 2006 - 05:22 PM
I just bought a converter for my vehicle for my laptop, but have considered it could be used for my light in a pinch or if I forgot to charge my light the night before - I could charge it on my drive up to the dive site (2.5+ hours of drive time). Has anyone recharged a canister battery from their car? Is there some sort of hazard I should be aware of? I don't want to end up posting about a car fire here in the near future!
It might be worth checking the voltage and amperage rating on your laptop charger to see how it compares with the output of your standard light charger. I think the light batteries will suck up significantly higher amperage than a laptop consumes, and that could mean overheating the wires in your laptop charger if they are small. An alternative - and perfectly sane approach in my opinion - just plug it in and try it while holding the charger wires in your hand. If it starts to burn your hand, unplug it and try something else.
BB
Edited by BubbleBoy, 20 April 2006 - 05:24 PM.
When you make fish laugh, they can't bite you.
#12
Posted 20 April 2006 - 05:24 PM
I recharge my HID with the built in converter in my 4Runner.
Never had any problems!
Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards!
#13
Posted 20 April 2006 - 05:28 PM
Oops I may have confused what I was saying. I bought a converter that plugs into my car that has a 3-prong outlet for electronics, like my laptop cord. I wouldn't use my laptop charger to charge my light.It might be worth checking the voltage and amperage rating on your laptop charger to see how it compares with the output of your standard light charger. I think the light batteries will suck up significantly higher amperage than a laptop consumes, and that could mean overheating the wires in your laptop charger if they are small. An alternative - and perfectly sane approach in my opinion - just plug it in and try it while holding the charger wires in your hand. If it starts to burn your hand, unplug it and try something else.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#14
Posted 20 April 2006 - 07:07 PM
Where do you plug it in during your SI? I just bought a converter for my vehicle for my laptop, but have considered it could be used for my light in a pinch or if I forgot to charge my light the night before - I could charge it on my drive up to the dive site (2.5+ hours of drive time). Has anyone recharged a canister battery from their car? Is there some sort of hazard I should be aware of? I don't want to end up posting about a car fire here in the near future!but when i know i'm going to be doing the longer dives, i'll plug it in to charge during surface intervals.
I was once told by a dive buddy, it's never good Nicolle when your dive stories start out "It seemed like a good idea at the time..."
i have an inverter? in the car which plugs into the accesory plug (i don't smoke) on the dashboard. i flip the switch on it, and plug in the light charger. never had any problems with it.
i can charge the light while driving, or sitting in the parking lot between dives.
#15
Posted 20 April 2006 - 07:51 PM
If I am in the water beyond 12 hours in a single day, I guess it will be time to buy another set.
And get a gill transplant
When you make fish laugh, they can't bite you.
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