DIY Canister Light and Lighthead

[Water Bear]

If I go with the Solux..should there be a consideration as to the temp 2900k or 5600k and what about the angle? spot or flood?

 

[ronrosa]

If I go with the Solux..should there be a consideration as to the temp 2900k or 5600k and what about the angle? spot or flood?

What are you using the light for ? For regular use go with 5600k and spot. For video you want something in the 4000k-5000k range and flood for wide coverage.

On the other hand, if you want a video light, a test tube lamp with a wide angle reflector works well.

 

[mddolson]

Padipro Bubbled: "A couple of us drove to Key Largo and dived the Spiegal Grove last Thursday and the water temp was a bone chilling 77".

LOL, boy it's tough how some people have to dive.
I honestly think I have never dived in open water in water that warm!

Mike D

 

[Padipro]

Padipro Bubbled: "A couple of us drove to Key Largo and dived the Spiegal Grove last Thursday and the water temp was a bone chilling 77".

LOL, boy it's tough how some people have to dive.
I honestly think I have never dived in open water in water that warm!

Mike D

Sometimes life is rough but as they say, "Someone has to do it". And remember...location, location, location. :bogey:

 

[unfix8r]

I finished my light and wsa using stiff cordage... a mistake. The retractable cord is definitely the way to go, and it;s not all that expensive. McMaster Carr has them on hte website.

 

[Padipro]

I finished my light and wsa using stiff cordage... a mistake. The retractable cord is definitely the way to go, and it;s not all that expensive. McMaster Carr has them on hte website.

Pictures man pictures!!!

 

[Tiny Bubbles]

I tested my dive light in lake saint clair last weekend. I turned it on and put it under the boat, about 4 feet deep, and let it burn. It went for about an hour again. I pulled it out, and there were some very small water droplets condensing on the inside of the glass maglite lens. The battery canister fared a little worse. There was about 1/4 teaspoon of water in there. It's not much, but it happened at 4 feet, not 40 feet.

How much water do other people get in their DIY canisters? Are they all dry as a bone, or is some seepage normal?

 

[Padipro]

I tested my dive light in lake saint clair last weekend. I turned it on and put it under the boat, about 4 feet deep, and let it burn. It went for about an hour again. I pulled it out, and there were some very small water droplets condensing on the inside of the glass maglite lens. The battery canister fared a little worse. There was about 1/4 teaspoon of water in there. It's not much, but it happened at 4 feet, not 40 feet.

How much water do other people get in their DIY canisters? Are they all dry as a bone, or is some seepage normal?

At first I had water in the light head. As I said before I used a very hard O-ring that didn't compress very well and would end up cracking the bulb which would let water into the light head. The canister though has never had a single drop in it. I made sure every seam was double and triple glued both inside and out. I sealed the strain relief with thread tape and an aditional O-ring under the base of the fitting and I filled the switch hole with RTV before I inserted the switch. Then I filled the rubber boot that goes over the switch with RTV before I installed it and lastely I put the switch gaurd on and filled the bottom half of the gaurd with RTV. I allowed everything to dry inbetween each step and, like I said, I've never had a single drop of water in the canister.

PM me if you have any specific questions on what I did.

 

[mddolson]

My cannister and light head are dry as a bone, and have been to 200ft.
On first test I got some seapage. The culprit was the cord.
I/we (a team effort) originally used a neoprene jacketed cable. It was too soft and the orings leaked at the cable glands. We switched to a shielded PVC cable problem solved, and the shielding prevents the cable from screwing up my compass.

Mike D.

BTW we're diving this weekend Scott (PADIPRO) the surface water is a balmy 35°F. But at least it warms up to about 40° at depth.
Mike

How much water do other people get in their DIY canisters? Are they all dry as a bone, or is some seepage normal?

 

[Padipro]

BTW we're diving this weekend Scott (PADIPRO) the surface water is a balmy 35°F. But at least it warms up to about 40° at depth.
Mike

We were out yesterday on my boat and again it was warm and beautiful. I had some friends in from out of town so they did a little snorkeling while I drove the boat. Air temp was 84 and the water temp was still 77. Hopefully I'll be in the water tomorrow.