DIY: Conversion of old UK SL4 dive light to LED

[Akimbo]

@-JW

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scubaboard.com

 

[mbrann]

I removed too much of the reflector’s butt end. The led actually protrudes slightly into the reflector’s plane resulting in a white angle of light with no bright focused center. I will post a pic later of the light’s beam projection.

 

[mbrann]

I removed too much of the reflector’s butt end. The led actually protrudes slightly into the reflector’s plane resulting in a white angle of light with no bright focused center. I will post a pic later of the light’s beam projection.

Still calling it a successful project

 

[Jeff_D]

I took two slightly different approaches fixing my burnt bulb in my SL4
1st approach was to to convert my SL4 to LED with a currently available and economical LED
for $10.99
This assembly is the same length but smaller in diameter than the original reflector so I designed and printed an adapter ring from PLA. I've attached the stl file.

As PLA is non-conductive I used a thin strip of aluminum from a Monster soda can to connect the outer body of the LED assy to the ground contact point on the rim of the SL4 flashlight . I had to lightly sand the metal strip to remove the coating on the Al.

This assy is a direct fit for the old reflector except that it is keyed by the ground strip, so requires a little extra care in assembly.

I also replaced the burnt out Zenon bulb with a 6V bulb from Amazon using the original reflector. It works but is not as bright as the LED solution and presumably won't last for more than a few hours, so I won't bother with writing instructions

 

[CADuke]

I took two slightly different approaches fixing my burnt bulb in my SL4
1st approach was to to convert my SL4 to LED with a currently available and economical LED
for $10.99
This assembly is the same length but smaller in diameter than the original reflector so I designed and printed an adapter ring from PLA. I've attached the stl file.

As PLA is non-conductive I used a thin strip of aluminum from a Monster soda can to connect the outer body of the LED assy to the ground contact point on the rim of the SL4 flashlight . I had to lightly sand the metal strip to remove the coating on the Al.

This assy is a direct fit for the old reflector except that it is keyed by the ground strip, so requires a little extra care in assembly.

Thank you for the link to that LED assembly.
I don't have a 3D printer so I used three 7/8 x 1-3/8 x 18 machine bushings. Works perfectly. Though I might cut down the positive spring terminal of the LED assembly.

 

[davecampbell]

budgetlightforum.com
a treasure trove of knowledge on modifying flashlights, conversions, battery testing, etc...
There are also lots of reviews and teardown of many lights, both some diving and otherwise.