7 Cree SCUBA Dive Light First turn on.

[gav6280]

Just cranked up my 7 Q5 dive light for the very first time, was terrified of turning it on! Whooaa...That's amazing i didn't know something could go that bright!!

No beam shots as yet because i am still waiting on the Fraen reflectors from cutter, but i do have a few other pictures here:

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/90270961

I Will do a proper build diary and photo review here when it is 100% finished. I have already tested the housing to 100 meters depth.

Thanks to everyone so far who has helped me.

 

[kfarrar]

I am anxious to hear how this was made.

What was the diameter of the heat sink?

 

[gav6280]

It's a solid chunk of T6 Aluminium, 10mm in depth and 63mm in diameter, it will be press fitted with thermal glue into a tube with 3mm wall thickness, then surounded by the ocean, so hopefully it will stay cool enough...

But i have a backup solution installed if it does not.

There is an 80 deg thermal cut out switch thermally bonded onto the back of the heat sink, should it be accidentally left switched on whilst out of the water or over heat etc.

It also has a battery voltage monitor and cut out circuit at 18v.

The Ebay purchased 6 cell 4500mah LiPo battery pack straight off the charger has a forward voltage off 25.38 in theory.

The forward voltage of the Led string could drop to as low as 25V in worst case.

With a Blue Shark driver the Fv of the string must always be higher than the fv of the battery at all states, or it blows up. As iintially found out! I wasn't prepared to take the risk again and that is why there is a silicone diode in series with the LED's.

Now the Fv of the Led string with the extra added rectifier diode is a theretical 26v, i havent actually checked it yet as i cant seem to find my meter. But i will definatley check it after giving the battery it's first full charge up and before connecting it in.

One bonus is that the battery's voltage is very close to the LED strings required voltage. This gives the Shark board very little work to do, and means it does not add to the heat problem.

Anything else you want to know or i can help with just ask.

Right then what shall i call it?

 

[clg0159]

How about "Pleiades" after the star cluster a.k.a. the seven sisters. Seems fitting for seven Q5's

 

[DocD]

how about" hydra " A 7 headed water beast from greek mythology

 

[gav6280]

Hydra - Now that's clever!

What's the best way to get it on there?

It's a Black type 2 anodise.

Engraving?
Vinyl Lettering?
Paint?
Laser?
Other?

 

[heffay]

If you can get your hands on a laser engraver, that would work pretty well.

 

[clg0159]

Hydra has already been used :tsk: that is why I suggested another name. You wouldn't want to step on anyones toes
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=211284

 

[gav6280]

Dam....Next...

 

[DogLeg]

I Will do a proper build diary and photo review here when it is 100% finished. I have already tested the housing to 100 meters depth.

Any more updates/beamshots coming?

 

[AlexGT]

Hmmm.... "Neptune", greek god of the sea?

 

[hamheart]

"cracken" a mythical colossal squid creature that is 140 feet long tip to tip .

 

[gav6280]

Yeah it's coming but i never seem to get around to it, besides it's a bit of a big old beast, im not totally happy with it.

 

[300winmag]

 

[gav6280]

I dont have or want an account with one of the photo hosts but there are a few pictures at http://www.gavinwilkinson.com/divelight

This is till a protoype, the final finished housing that is designed by alex joyce is still at the engineers ( April 15th) where it has been for 3 months! I chased it up todaY AND THEY HAVE ASSURED ME ITS NEAR THE TOP OF THE QUE.

 

[HarryN]

Hi Gavin - that sounds like a fun project. Looking forward to seeing it.

 

[gav6280]

The 7 Led light is all done and is long finished and works pretty well but i have decied not to show it here as im not really totally happy with it and will probably just keep it as a spare. It was really just a learning platform for my next build.

I am now developing a 4 Led light that should be much better, progress of this will be posted shortly on a new thread. And yes the housing did get back from the machine shop today.....And it's really nice.