Hey there, so i recently picked up a Flip UltraHD and am real stoked to get in the water as soon as my Ikelite housing arrives. I would really like a to build a dive light as i know that especially with the flip any light i can get is gonna be a huge benefit. What i was hoping to do was use an older Lead Acid battery we have from our old home security system and hook it up to some high power LED's. Then i can strap the battery to my BCD and have a PVC pipe light "tube" to hold.

This is my first attempt at something like this so i was wondering what some thoughts were... even a total design overall if its going to save me from wasting $100

thanks!

Sorry dude, but it sounds like environmental/personal injury disaster to me....you didn't mention a housing for the battery?

Buy a L&M Sola 600 or find a small used LED rated for depth.

Don't mean to shoot down your idea...just my thoughts.

Mike

Sorry i didnt mention a housing for the battery, i kinda just assumed. I have heard of the dangers of electrical conductivity and i dont want to put either me or a dive buddy at risk. i do not really know what would make a good housing for the battery, i was thinking of like an otter case? but i feel like it would be almost impossible to find one that fit snuggly and would have a small enough volume to make it close to neutral

British cave divers used to just use an SLA battery, with no housing, but in fresh water. Do this in the salty stuff and it's corrosion central.

Best thing to do, is to buy a book called "The Divelight Companion" by Airspeed press. It's designed around low cost lighting

ill have to check that out... i definately plan to use it in saltwater mostly.... im starting to think this may be something i should wait until christmas for...

check out Candle Power Forums, they have a section on Dive Lighting and a Homemade Lights section with some threads on UW lights.

oooh this looks like good stuff