Help a Diver out...

[ilander]

Hi,
I'm new to this and started building my light with one purpose in mind...diving. I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I have just finished builing a dive light and canister. The light head is a purpose built dive light head with a GY6.35 base and a 50W halogen running slightly overdriven with 12 D-cell NiMh (14.4-18V depending on state of charge) in the canister. THe canister is 3" PVC with a Acrylic cap sealed iwth a 3/16" o-ring and stainless latches.

Since I really dont want to blow a bulb at depth and have to end a dive, I am thinking a regulator circuit or soft start is not a bad idea to help ensure the bulb doesnt go when I first turn on the light.

I have found several mentions of Willie Hunt's LVR3I's and similar circuits. Essentially a voltage regulator/soft start circuit . I've searched all over and found many mentions but no where to purchase one.

Does anyone have any ideas of where to source a LVR3I or something similar?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Christexan]

Ugh, I can't find it now, I have a link bookmarked on one of my computers to the circuit you are mentioning, can't remember the website now. However if memory serves, he'll sell you the circuit diagram but is no longer selling a prebuilt regulator.
<edit>... okay, did some digging, here is the page (well, one of them, I'll leave you to the rest of the digging)...

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~willie/lvr.html

 

[LuxLuthor]

Do a search for AWR's (Andrew Rouse) "Hotdriver" but I'll give you a head start.

 

[Barbarin]

Why wouldyou like to go for a 50 Watt halogen while you can make your own multiled? Halogens are quite outdated, they waste a lot of energy in form of wavelenghts that will no penetrate more than 3-4 meters.

They are still great for low cost solutions, or for video, but once you are going to make a housing I woul dgo for multiled...

Javier