Umbilical torch confusion

[TVR]

Again, thanks to everyone for the replies - I know it is probably basic stuff, but as Phill mentioned in his reply, this is a serious amount of cash to spend. Oh, and if my wife ever finds her way onto the boards, no torch costs more than £50!!!!!!

I am gradullay being tempted towards the Salvo range. The one remaining question I have is regarding the battery pack. Generally I do single day dive trips, with the occasional weekend - so usually a wreck followed by a drift (or maybe a shallowerr wreck). My thinking is that I could comfortably get away with the 4.5Ah battery. Would you agree?

The only other issue is the chrge times as I would probably take the torch on the odd liveaboard trip abroad.

Could anyone (Phill I guess!) clarify the above??

Many thanks - and I promise that this will be the last annoying lot of questions!

[Rob Dobson]

As you can't step down the output on the current Salvo range you should think about what power would best suit your diving (10, 18, 21 or 24W) and then look at the burn time for the batteries. From what you are saying the 10W with a 4.5Ah would probably be a resonable choice, but you know your bottom times so add them up and think if 4hrs is enough between charges.

If you're looking at a higher output then you'll probably need a bigger battery pack - but again just think about your diving and compare it to the specs. I settled on the 21W with the 9Ha - just working through the maths to see if I can actually afford it...

Liveaboards should be fine - I've never been on a liveaboard boat that didn't have the facilities to re-charge your light, you just leave plugged in over night. It's not like a single charge has to last you the week!

[Janos]

I have a 21W with a 4.5Ah battery. I can comfortably get two dives from it, as the battery lasts for 2 hours, compared to my old Kowalski which lasted for 45 mins (wlthought o be fair I turned the K on and off a lot).

As long as you can recharge at the end of each day then it's not a problem. And let's face it, how often can you not?

Janos

[TVR]

OK - thanks for the replies. I think it is going to be the Salvo 4.5Ah with 21W head.

Just need to dust off the credit card!

[Brian of Aquanauts]

Originally Posted by divingniknaks

OK,


The Brightstar bulb as used by Salvo is proven to be a very robust bulb, note the number of failures which I will gladly supply by PM (or here come to that). Both those failures (oops give away) were not the failure of the bulb, just people who were not happy, they were both supplied new bulbs within 24 hours at our cost (salvo and us).
Cheers

Hey Phil,

If the Brightstar bulb is so robust why do H choose to use the other one? Seems a bit of an odd decision if the Brightstar bulb is so much better.

Honest question - can you help out?

Brian

[divingniknaks]

At the time the H lights were designed, that was the "best" bulb and ballast which was available.

Time moves on and the Brightstar is now available and by method of manufacture is an inherently more robust bulb.

It's really just a case of development of the technology really.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

[SKINDEEPDIVING]

I have the custom divers HID basic model, and this one is the dogs danglers!
Brighter than any other torch I've seen, and built to survive anything!

It has ther better batteries that can be charged at any time and don't get a memory effect. I also have a Kowalski 1250 speed, and hardly ever use it as it's so bulky!

I bought the goodman handle as well to make life easier. Also very good as you can turn it on and off from the head rather than from the canister so you can mount the canister anywhere convenient. (helps balance your kit)
See the custom divers website www.customdivers.com for full specs