Salvo Torches

[Bantam]

I always thought Nickel Metal Hydride was invented as a replacement for SLA, with the latest and best tech being Lithium Ion.

More power for the size and no memory effect.

NiMH vs SLA;

NiMH are smaller and lighter than SLA.
NiMH have an 80% greater runtime vs SLA of the equivalent size.
NiMH have full power available for most of the time vs SLA which drops over time of the charge.

Finally - if you deep discharge an SLA cell it kills it. NiMH doesn't suffer from that effect.

I'm open to why SLA's are better, but IMHO (as an electrical engineer) I can't see it!

[Lou]

Does it have something to do with flooding?

[Clare Gledhill]

My reason for change is threefold. None is absolute or immune from dispute, none is more important that the other and it is an accumulation of all of the reasons which has made me decide to change.

Sealed Lead Acid batteries are easy to charge, easy to maintain, easy and cheap to replace. The problem with NiMH is that you cannot guarantee full charge and there is no easy way to check the status of the battery. My light appeared charged last week in Mexico when tested - but then ran out after 45 minutes. Cause - poor mexican power supply - effect lights out in a cave (this time without any assistance from a GUE instriuctor ) - regardless of the fact that I tested my light prior to entry.

For travelling, SLAs are heavy, but batteries can be sourced for purchase or rent in many destinations. Where I can't do this I will retain a 10 watt NiMH light to use. The additional weight is an advantage to me too though - it will mean more weight off my set when it comes to lugging it around on the surface, on and off boats. The light provides me with ditchable weight in water as it will replace the v weights that I use at present in salt water.

Finally, I dived with a Pro 6 last week and loved it - the best tailweight invented (if not the most expensive!) Never thought I would - but then you learn something everyday. Burntimes are long - you get six hours from a 14 amp pack with an 18 watt - although admittedly not as long as you would get with a NiMH pack of similar size - and batteries, if flooded, are cheap to replace.

SLA batteries are certainly not for everyone - in fact I never thought they would be for me and I'm still praying that I have done the right thing.

[Lou]

Do you get Salvo SLA's? Or is it a Halcyon you are getting, Clare?

Or can you put the Halcyon battery pack onto a Slavo head?

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by Gledders

My reason for change is threefold. None is absolute or immune from dispute, none is more important that the other and it is an accumulation of all of the reasons which has made me decide to change.

Sealed Lead Acid batteries are easy to charge, easy to maintain, easy and cheap to replace. The problem with NiMH is that you cannot guarantee full charge and there is no easy way to check the status of the battery. My light appeared charged last week in Mexico when tested - but then ran out after 45 minutes. Cause - poor mexican power supply - effect lights out in a cave (this time without any assistance from a GUE instriuctor ) - regardless of the fact that I tested my light prior to entry.

For travelling, SLAs are heavy, but batteries can be sourced for purchase or rent in many destinations. Where I can't do this I will retain a 10 watt NiMH light to use. The additional weight is an advantage to me too though - it will mean more weight off my set when it comes to lugging it around on the surface, on and off boats. The light provides me with ditchable weight in water as it will replace the v weights that I use at present in salt water.

Finally, I dived with a Pro 6 last week and loved it - the best tailweight invented (if not the most expensive!) Never thought I would - but then you learn something everyday. Burntimes are long - you get six hours from a 14 amp pack with an 18 watt - although admittedly not as long as you would get with a NiMH pack of similar size - and batteries, if flooded, are cheap to replace.

SLA batteries are certainly not for everyone - in fact I never thought they would be for me and I'm still praying that I have done the right thing.

Fair Enough Cheers for helping me understand a little better.

I think it's a case of horses for courses, as they say.

[warmwaterdiver]

Originally Posted by Gledders

Where I can't do this I will retain a 10 watt NiMH light to use

see Lou, its not just me

[Clare Gledhill]

Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver

see Lou, its not just me

Ah - but I already have one Gary

No Salvo don't make SLA powered lights. I'm getting a Halcyon one.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Gledders

Ah - but I already have one Gary

No Salvo don't make SLA powered lights. I'm getting a Halcyon one.

Harrumph I wish you would all stop showing off.

So, you aren't worried about the Welch Alleyn bulbs then?

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by Lou

Harrumph I wish you would all stop showing off.

I last charged my salvo 21w 9Ah about a month ago and have racked up about 5 or 6 hours in the water without having to charge it and without any noticeable loss in brightness.

In fact I've just put it on charge last night so it's ready for the weekend after next!

[wreckweasel]

Originally Posted by Gledders

Sealed Lead Acid batteries are easy to charge, easy to maintain, easy and cheap to replace.

Very true.

Originally Posted by Gledders

problem with NiMH is that you cannot guarantee full charge and there is no easy way to check the status of the battery.

The same problem exists with SLA/NiMH, Lion etc.

/Z