Project0108LEDLight

Deeeeeeep SCUBA Light

On November 6, 2001 John Bennett became the first man to dive below 1000ft/300m on SCUBA near Puerto Galera in the Philippines. With decompression, this dive took over 9 and a half hours.

This light was designed and built to withstand a much higher pressure than consumer quality dive lights. Further, this light was designed to work for FIFTEEN hours in case of extended decompression.

Instead of using a power-consuming bulb, this light used the brightest white LEDs available.

This was "back in the day" when these LEDs were about $8/each.

To reduce the possibility of leaking, everything was double o-ringed and the power switch was magnetic.

Here is the pressure chamber I used to test the light. It was run up to 50 bar which means that the light has been pressure tested to 500 meters. (more than 1640 feet).

A computer simulation claims it will go to the BOTTOM of the ocean based on materials and construction. My software doesn't include calculations for o-ring failure but I suspect they will hold.

At some point, I will repackage the guts of this light into a less bulky plastic housing which will happily go to the 150 meters (492 feet) that I don't plan to exceed by much.

I build other custom dive equipment as time allows although not all of it can be posted per customer request..

I would also like to give GREAT thanks to Tom F. for doing the fantastic job of machining this light and helping me get my design from paper to metal (as well as teaching me how to run a lathe and then helping me pick out my first lathe and milling machine so I didn't have to come whining to him every time I needed something turned).

I must also thank Mr. L. who told me exactly how o-rings work and, while I was making my design, allowed me to take apart and study his underwater equipment... from his 1960s homemade stuff to his state-of-the-art commercial equipment. He then tested the completed light in his pressure chamber.

No animals were harmed in the design, testing and manufacture of this light.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws