Designing a focusable LED dive light.

[Packhorse]

I have no experience in these setups at all.
But I would guess it would require a custom made reflector that would take alot of effort to get right.
Multiple LED's may make it difficult to get a sharp focused beam.

I think these designs are best suited to HID and incans where the light dispersion from the bulb is very wide.

 

[Goldigger]

I found a video of a focusable backup light.. its not the mb-sub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLNoVbWXIN8&feature=player_embedded

for sale here
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/bigbluefocusableledlight-p-2710.html#youtube

Looks like michael from mb-subs secret is already out there..

 

[lucca brassi]

It is also here caled ATON

http://www.direxplorers.com/special...-dive-light-diving-innovations-repairs-6.html

but

Multiple LED's may make it difficult to get a sharp focused beam.

True- but in that case if all leds are close together works parabola as capacitor (that's wide beam - sums all beams together ; balance some diferences between light sources... But agree - all optics parts must be calculated and dimensioned right)

There is also lamp with OSTAR - but I think it could not
takes advantage of parabol in full , because of radiation angle of multiple leds.

http://www.dutchdivinglights.nl/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=65

video: http://www.vimeo.com/7623879 in comparasion with ATON

 

[Linger]

What about that picture? ....It exist possibility to to turn round for 180° epruvete with LED and to put instead of leds in that picture convex mirror ( but maybe will be more dissipation of light )

Two companies market this format, Pelican and UnderwaterKenetics. They call them 'recoil' leds' and claim to achieve tighter focus with the emitter facing rear. I have no experience with them.
So yes it is possible to turn the led 180° around. It requires specifically designed reflectors. Until someone has these special reflectors, this is not an option.

True- but in that case if all leds are close together works parabola as capacitor (that's wide beam - sums all beams together ; balance some differences between light sources.

Tightest brightest spot comes from smallest, brightest source. It is not possible to use multiple emitters or anything wide, and try to 'focus it down,' it is just too complicated for present application. If there is any effort to be expended, start with the smallest, brightest source to begin with and see how tight you can focus that. Solve simple problem first - achieve tightest focus with single high intensity emitter.
KISS- keep it simple

Best,
Linger

 

[gcbryan]

FYI-I have one of the recoil backup lights and they do seem to work just fine.

UK also uses this with their new 900 lumen led hand held which allows them to use a plastic housing and still dissipate the heat since the heatsink now goes through the lens into direct contact with the water.

 

[lucca brassi]

Thanks for info - didn't know them ; special term ''RECOIL LED''

 

[Packhorse]

I found a video of a focusable backup light.. its not the mb-sub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLNoVbWXIN8&feature=player_embedded

for sale here
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/bigbluefocusableledlight-p-2710.html#youtube

Looks like michael from mb-subs secret is already out there..

Isnt it interesting how many companys build and market "The ONLY focusable backup light on the market"

Anyway its a nice looking product.

 

[Goldigger]

Isnt it interesting how many companys build and market "The ONLY focusable backup light on the market"

Anyway its a nice looking product.

It's also cheaper.. 🙂
MB-Sub 218 euros/$326 vs Big blue $125 (US $)

 

[gcbryan]

That's a line that Mark Twain could have written!:thumbsup:

It may not actually be on the market until Nov. 22 though.

Isnt it interesting how many companys build and market "The ONLY focusable backup light on the market"

Anyway its a nice looking product.

 

[whitenoise]

I've been away for a week or so, has there been any developments in this light? I really need a new light before a trip at the start of April and time is ticking away! Sorry if I sound impatient, but that's because I am 😉

 

[Packhorse]

I've been away for a week or so, has there been any developments in this light? I really need a new light before a trip at the start of April and time is ticking away! Sorry if I sound impatient, but that's because I am 😉

Not on my end. Still waiting for my lathe gears to turn up.

 

[lucca brassi]

@whitenoise

I've been away for a week or so, has there been any developments in this light? I really need a new light before a trip at the start of April and time is ticking away! Sorry if I sound impatient, but that's because I am

You can easily walk in to the shop and buy it , and spent that time till april in diving with it.

I'll go also diving at april on Malta definitive with may own light + video light.

I'm a little impressed surprised about Dutsch diving light with OSTAR and little disappointed at that ATON light - but both they did not changed focus all the time at all!

Also Kowalsky has focusable backup http://www.lighthousediving.co.uk/techspecs/LED-focus_spec.htm with reflector

 

[whitenoise]

Thanks for the input there lucca brassi. I've currently got the Tektite LS4 (the 220 lumens version, but with the older LED) so I'm currently using that. Hopefully I will be able to get this light, then my Tektite can become my backup.

Looked at the Kowalski LED, but it didn't look that powerful. I couldn't find out that much spec information about exactly how powerful it was, apart from that it has a CREE MC-E 10 watt LED. From other threads here, that's not the best LED to use in a dive light.

Oh and thanks for update Packhorse, hope your stuff arrives soon.

Hows things going with you Will, haven't heard from you recently.

 

[Goldigger]

Here's some basic info for the kowalski led.
http://www.wassersportbilliger.de/t...5_420&sessID=c482e7f4c5c948a6d8d904e454f62a1f
Focussing cash lamp head of independently of water pressure adjustable shining angles of 9° commercial - 35° Flood.

Case made of sea waterproof anodized aluminum. The 5 mm strong mineral glass plate is chemically hardened, the rear locked with a double O ring seal. In addition, this handy lamp with only 3 batteries (type C baby) is extremely energy efficient at a using burning time of 5 hours. Of course this lamp can be operated also with accumulators.

Features:
• case: Aluminum - brushedly sea waterproofly anodized
• front glass: Mineral glass, chemical hardened
• depth: Max. 200 m
• LED: CREE MC E power consumption 10 W
• battery: 3x 1,5 V C cell baby LR14
• burning time with batteries: Into dependence of the quality of the batteries
• using burning time: Approx. 5 h
• need burning time: Approx. 11.5 h
• burning time with NiMh accumulators AkkuLoop: Using burning time ca.100 min., need burning time ca.100 min.
• switching on/off: The switching on/off is made by turning the final piece
• shining angle: Adjustable of 9° commercial to 35° Flood
• lighting intensity: With batteries approx. 7.500 lux with accumulator approx. 9.000 lux
• color temperature: Approx. 6500° K
• measures of ø x l: Head 60 mm x 285 mm
• weight: Without batteries of 550 g ,, with batteries approx. 750 g
• including; A set of batteries (3 pieces) and a holding strap
• as accessories available: High-quality table loader +NiMh Akkuloop accumulators


I looked at the Kowalski LED months back, which leads me to believe this was on the market before the so called 1st focusable led dive light..

Review here: http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/diver_tests/334600/light_kowalski_led.html

 

[gcbryan]

For that to make sense to me can we also assume that it has 100%, 50%, and 20% modes and that the burn times are for 50% and 20% modes?

 

[Goldigger]

For that to make sense to me can we also assume that it has 100%, 50%, and 20% modes and that the burn times are for 50% and 20% modes?

Sorry copied and pasted from the german site...
I think the burn times are for high and low..

 

[Goldigger]

Maybe this is better..
Casing Aluminium brushed + anodised in 2 colours
Lens Mineral glass
Depth rating Max. 200M
LED CREE MC-E 10 watt - lifetime ca. 50 000 hours
Burn time with batteries Depending on the quality of the Batteries Up to 5 hours + about 11.5 hours auxiliary burntime.
Batteries 3 x 1.5V Alkaline Dry Cells
Burntime with NiMh RechargeableUp to 100 minutes + about 100 minutes auxiliary burntime.
Switch Mechanical on / off
Beam angle Various from 9° spot to 35° flood
Luminosity With batteries approx. 7.500 Lux / with rechargeable batteries approx. 9.000 LuxColour temperatureApprox. 6500°K
Dimensions Diam. lamphead 58 mm, length complete 285 mmWeight500gr without batteries, 750 gr including batteries
Extras included1 set batteries + safety wrist lanyard

 

[gcbryan]

Sorry copied and pasted from the german site...
I think the burn times are for high and low..

I just don't see how you can get 5 hours burn time with a MC-E at full power with that setup? Can anyone do the math that would result in such a thing?

 

[Goldigger]

I just don't see how you can get 5 hours burn time with a MC-E at full power with that setup? Can anyone do the math that would result in such a thing?

Assuming there LR14 5000mah batterys, then MCE at 1amp = 5 hours..
rough maths

LR14 6000mah NiMH

 

[whitenoise]

Thanks for the info Golddigger, although I'm holding out for the light in this thread 🙂