Care and feeding of 'spensive lights

[bvanant]

Depending on the battery type, (NiMH, LiIon etc) you will want to store the battery either mostly empty or mostly full. Be careful of storing with the battery sealed, you might get H2 buildup that can lead to deformed o-rings and then a leak. Also, I think storing any expensive piece of gear with the o-ring compressed can lead to compression set and failure. Sometimes you can't avoid it (like the push buttons on a housing) but if you can then uncompressed makes a lot more sense.
Rinse carefully and dry (avoid moisture remaining at the base of latches, crevice corrosion can rust stainless that way)
Bill

 

[Doc Harry]

The 3 main things that I take care of are:

1. The o-ring
2. The o-ring
3. The o-ring

The light (and everything else with an o-ring) is stored with the o-ring removed and cleaned.

I have spare parts for everything, and even keep a spare thumb screw for the light head focus in my dry suit pocket.

Battery care varies depending on the type of battery. Generally, it is best to periodically discharge/recharge. I do a "burn test" periodically with the light head submerged in a large bucket of water to discharge the battery. Do not discharge your battery all the way!!

You can find detailed battery care online, here is one website for example:

http://www.copquest.com/battery_care.htm

When flying, I keep the light in my carry-on luggage with the battery disconnected/reversed to prevent accidental activation.

Once I put the light in my checked luggage -- in a pelican box in my suitcase. The battery was removed from the canister and packed separately. When I got home, I found that TSA had replaced the battery inside of the canister, I presume, to test the light -- and the entire HID light head was melted inside of the Pelican box. :shocked2:

 

[Jax]

Okay, Doc, you've scared me, now.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I purchased one of the original 18W Salvo lights ... I think that was around 2004/2005 time frame. Last year I replaced the battery. About a month ago I replaced the bulb. Except for that, maintenance has consisted of rinsing the light in fresh water after the dive and putting the battery on the charger pretty much right after the light got rinsed. I rarely pay attention to the o-ring between can and lid, except to visually inspect for dirt and occasionally rub some silicone grease on it.

I average about 275 dives a year, and probably 80-90% of them with that light (I also own a 12W LED Salvo that I use occasionally). So I figure I put over 1000 dives on the original battery and maybe 1200 dives on the original bulb before replacing.

I don't think that bulb's particularly fragile ... I tend to beat the crap outta my gear, and it wore out before I could break it.

At home I store and transport my light in a Pelican case. For travel, I take in in my carry-on ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)