light recomendation

[boboxx]

Hello Guys,

I'm new to the forum, I spent most of the weekend looking at underwater canister lights and reading up.

I have a mini lathe (just learning how to use it) and a DIY CNC mill to my disposition but I'm fairly new to lighting. I would like to build something along these lines:
- The canister made out of 2" Sched 40
- Use NiMH AA 1.5v@ ~2600Mh in a 4 pack holder (so 12 to 16 batteries)
- Reed switch
- Goodman grip handle

What would you guys recommend for a good type of LED, optics and driver? What should I do with the torch? I'm looking for something that has a tight beam, but that is wide enough to use for photography also
Thanks

 

[Klem]

Personally, I would step back and have a think about what you need and what is available in 2010. Technology has improved fast lately.

Firstly, the idea of a wand-torch connected by a cable to a battery container. This used to be mandatory for incandescents with NiCad and NiMH batteries. Nowadays there is Li-ion, Li-Po and Li-Fe powering LEDs or HIDs. Lithium rechargeables have much higher power density than your NiMH and the prices have dropped dramatically. This enables a single compact container to be your torch, doing away with annoying cables. This allows you to put the torch down, or hand it to someone else underwater, and theres no cable to snag on anything.

An upgrade from NiMH to Li-ion will let you do this comfortably.

The Goodman handle for 'hands-free' is also a dated design. Perhaps a neoprene sleeve that fits on your wrist, allowing true hands-free, not just fingers-free.

LED is certainly elegant efficient technology and will allow you to build a very compact bright torch, but HID is also an option. If it is sheer grunt/lumens you are after a 35W HID will be brighter than any LED discussed on this forum.

While the rest of us have to work around what we have access to, with your access to machinery anything is possible.

Food for thought.

 

[boboxx]

What would be some of the good wand torch to look at in the 100$ range?

 

[Klem]

I don't know...I stopped using them a few years ago.

Why are you wanting to buy one when you can make one with all that machinery?

 

[MrNaz]

What would be some of the good wand torch to look at in the 100$ range?

In the dive light arena, "good" and "$100" don't go together

Given that you have access to machinery, I'd suggest making one, you'll get it cheaper and it'll be far better than anything you'll be able to buy. I did that, and am in hte process of refining my design; here's information on my project:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=240193
http://www.mrnaz.com/?s=publish-gallery&album=57

It's *far* brighter than my Princeton Tec Miniwave LED even after I upgraded it to use SSC P4 LEDs instead of the stock Maxbrights.

 

[350xfire]

Guys, the first thing we need to know is what is the light going to be used for?

With that said, if you want a handheld for $100, get an Intova for $70. By the time you buy materials (aluminum, LED, lens, wire, connector, etc) and you spend 10 hours machining it and you apply the learning curve factor, you can't go wrong with spending $70 and having a great torch that is commercially availble....

Now, if all you want is the satisfaction of doing it yourself, then by all means, do it...

Oh, and BTW, if you want a dual purpose light, build it with a tight beam and then put a difuser on it.

Just some thoughts!

Also, if you don't mind a larger light, I have a couple of 24W HIDs that are handheld that I'll sell for $180 each brand new. They are just lights that I was going to gut out for parts, but decided not to.

 

[Packhorse]

I'm looking for something that has a tight beam, but that is wide enough to use for photography also
Thanks

No such thing.
A tight beam ( IMO) < 6 degrees. A Photography light is > 90 degrees.
Sure you could try putting a diffuser on a tight beam but really its a huge compromise.

Either build a focusable light or build 2 light heads that can work off the same battery cannister.

 

[boboxx]

ok, so what would be a good part selection for a photography light and a tight beam light? There are so many new LED that reading something from 6 month now is old information!

I would be up for building 2 lights I just need a hand in part selection


Is this the intova torch http://www.intova.net/torches.html or is it this one http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26498

 

[MrNaz]

I would be up for building 2 lights I just need a hand in part selection

For a primary dive light you need a tight beam and good light colour. I would use the following LEDs:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15943
They are very bright and the WG bin is quite a good bin given the price of these. I've used this precise part underwater and it works quite well. There are ones that may be better, but they're far more expensive. These are fantastic for the price.

Combine those LEDs with the following focusing optics:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1920
At less than 80c each, these are almost unbelievable. They provide a nice even hotspot with a well-defined edge and not too much spill. Ideal for a dive light.

While there may be better emitters and optics out there, you cannot beat the above items for ease of use and price. They are close to the best options available to you, and to get much better, you'll need to spend far more money. I'm using 4 of these LEDs in my dive light, and I can tell you, it's stupidly bright.

See the link I posted earlier in the thread:
http://www.mrnaz.com/?s=publish-gallery&album=57