New Life for Old Dive Lights
As I am sure most of you are aware there have been many recent advancements in dive light technology. There are newly available HID and LED lights that burn brighter, whiter and are much more efficient. There is new battery technology as well, allowing shorter and easier charging with longer run times less weight and less space.
I have been shopping recently for a new dive light for some training dives next week. I was shocked at the prices for some of the new dive lights! I never expected to see a $1500 price tag on a dive light!
I really wanted an LED dive light, but just don't want to spend hundreds let alone thousands of dollars buying new dive lights. I decided to use my old dive lights for now. After pulling them out of the bottom of a never ending pile of gear in my basement I picked up some fresh batteries and fired them up. I was immediately disappointed when only one of my three lights actually turned on and even that one only produced a dim yellow light. What to do, what to do....
I started looking around on the internet and decided to modify my dive lights with new high power LED's. It sounded like something that might be difficult if not imposable, but to my surprise it was really easy and something anyone handy can do with a few tools. I found a source for LED modules (pre-soldered connections and reflector) on the web and was able to modify them to fit my lights fairly easily.
Attached is a photo of the both lights shining against a white wall. On the left you will see the light with original Xenon bulb and on the right the same light with the modified LED module. Both have new batteries and are identical lights. Not too bad for $15 in parts ($25 or so if you don't have supplies around - Tape, PVC pipe, glue, etc.)
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