OrcaTorch D550 malfunctioning, need advice

[Scuba-74]

I bought an OrcaTorch D550 roughly 4 years ago, was using it pretty infrequently, and up until a liveaboard trip last December was very happy with it.

This summer, I brought it on two dives, and both times it malfunctioned underwater, specifically it would not toggle between high-power and low-power modes. Pressing the button would just turn it on and off, on the low-power mode. It would continue to behave like that on land hours after dive.

What makes it more strange, at least to me, is that both times after coming home from dives and making sure it still just turns on and off, I unscrewed the head and removed the buttery to make sure there are no signs of water. When I screwed it back on, the light began to function properly both times.

Looking for an advice, as I can't have it keep happening when I dive, I rely on this light.

 

[Whitrzac]

Time for a new light. Likely leaked somewhere at somepoint.

 

[Scuba-74]

Time for a new light. Likely leaked somewhere at somepoint.

That would be less than ideal. Just checked, I bought it in on July 25, 2021. Used it lightly (no pun intended).

I also like the light, how it's built, feels, etc. There is no sign of leakage, but if it did, being tightly screwed every time, I wouldn't by same brand again, which is unfortunate.

 

[TravisD]

Can you swap the battery out for a known good one? I'm thinking that may have low battery voltage causing it to default to low power mode as you're seeing.

 

[David Haas]

Button pushing sequence on my two OrcaTorch D710V are pretty confusing. So maybe it's that.....

I've lost track on a few dives and when I think I'm putting it to "sleep" I accidentally have turned the darn thing off.

Sigh......

I'd put a charged battery in it and sit down with the manual in front of you.

Just an idea and good luck!

David Haas

 

[Scuba-74]

Can you swap the battery out for a known good one? I'm thinking that may have low battery voltage causing it to default to low power mode as you're seeing.

The two occurrences happened with two different fully charged batteries.

Plus, as I mentioned, when I unscrewed the head and then screwed it back on, the light started functioning as it's supposed to with the same battery.

My only guess is that underwater pressure messes it up somehow.

 

[Scuba-74]

Button pushing sequence on my two OrcaTorch D710V are pretty confusing. So maybe it's that.....

It's very simple with this one. First push - on with full power, second push - half-power, third push - off, and so on.

Push and hold when it's on (or maybe when it's off too, idk) - blinking strobe.

 

[davecampbell]

i'm not intimately familiar with that particular model but try cleaning all the thread mating surfaces, make sure the springs are in good condition and well affixed, etc... the fact it started working properly once you fiddled with it leads me to believe it might be a grounding or connection issue.