So tell me why I DON'T want a canister light

[MXGratefulDiver]

They make traveling a bit more of a challenge.

I've taken my Terkel light with me to Bonaire and Roatan, and haven't had any issues ... once I explain that the shrink-wrapped thingie that looks like three sticks of dynamite with two wires sticking out the top is actually just a battery ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[ianr33]

I've taken my Terkel light with me to Bonaire and Roatan, and haven't had any issues ... once I explain that the shrink-wrapped thingie that looks like three sticks of dynamite with two wires sticking out the top is actually just a battery ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Print out a label from here http://www.airspeedpress.com/batterylabel.html
looks very official !

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I've had the ...whisper, whisper...suspicious look...whisper, whisper...call the supervisor over thing...followed by the body search, full inspection of the light and lots of questions. But TSA has always been polite and understanding. Sometimes they recognize immediately that it's no threat. They never have disallowed it.

I actually was just refering to the fact that when I take an HID can light on any journey I simply have one more thing to watch out for. Because of their inherent fragility and the fact that they're so expensive I feel that I have to take extra special care. I carry mine on. Which means not only do I have to use a bit larger carry on bag but I also have to be extra carefull with it...you know...to avoid bumps and bruises...that kind of thing.

But then, again, I'm pretty particular with my goodies. For instance, while riding in a truck along the bumpy jungle roads in Akumal, where do you think I put my can light? Not in the back with my other gear...no way. It sits in my lap! You see...I probably worry way too much about the darn thing. Oh, ya...on the boat...I don't leave my can on my belt with the light clipped up like you yahoos...I saw that photo, Bob...I take mine off and store it in a safe place. I know...I'm sick.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Print out a label from here http://www.airspeedpress.com/batterylabel.html
looks very official !

Hmm...

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Oh...

You also got the burn test thing and the find the right charger and figure out how to use it thing.

 

[TSandM]

Burn test thing?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Burn test thing?

What I think he means is that every light comes with a "rated" burn time for the battery ... but that's really rather theoretical, so the only way to find out how long the battery will last is to turn the light on and time how long it takes to drain the battery sufficient to make the light turn off.

Some caveats ... HID ballasts tend to get rather hot when they're not being "water cooled" ... so if you do a burn test while not diving, submerge the whole light head, including the ballast, in the water bucket ... or better yet, the whole light. Also keep in mind that you need a few (maybe 10 or 12) charge cycles on a NiMH battery before you'll get the full rated burn time out of it ... there's a "break in" period when the battery is new that it won't hold the full charge ... and you'll get less burn time than you'll get after the battery has had a chance to cycle and recharge a few times.

I'm sure there are folks in here who could explain it in far more detail, but that's the basic info ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Like Bob said.

I mentioned it in a sorta tongue and cheek kinda way. Don't let any of this scare you away from an HID can light.

Burn testing is for the compulsive OW diver and the wise overhead diver.
For recreational diving I don't think it is something that you have to worry about...unless your burn time is really important to you.

The simple way to do it is like Bob said. Toss it in the water, turn it on, and time how long it burns.

Then again, you can get crazy about it and do something like this..

 

[Mo2vation]

Easy TS:

I've had one for 3 or 4 years now.

* Never done a burn test

* Never broke a bulb

* Travel with it without incident

* ONCE I had striking issues (on my 10W) - my 18's have been perfect.

Sounds like you may be too intimidated to own one. Tell ya what, buy me a 21, and I'll lease it to ya. You can have the thrill of using a can light without the burdon of owning a can light.

Yeah - that's the ticket.

PM me and I'll send you my address - have them ship the 21 to me. I'll draw up a contract and get it to you soon.

I promise.

---
Ken

 

[Rick Inman]

Ohh...I'm liking this thread. The timing is perfect.

In the next hour, a guy is coming to show his wife my old beat up camping trailer that he wants to buy from me. If she says yes, he'll give me the cash.

I'm asking exactly $1200.00 firm - the exact cost of a Salvo 21w including fast shipping.

The guy really wants it and can't figure out why I'd trade a camping trailer for a flash light.