DIY: Dive Light

Building your own dive light might be ambitious, but one look at the prices on commercially produced dive lights will show you why it's worth the effort. Dive lights typically cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Learning to put one together yourself provides tremendous savings---and tremendous satisfaction.

  1. Why DIY?

    • Canister lights for scuba diving---which are very bright and the choice of most technical divers---run high in price. For someone with a little technical know-how, it can be cost-effective to build a light instead of buying one. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of using an intimately familiar piece of equipment.

      Many divers, however, have found that a DIY light project has ended up costing just as much---if not more---than conventionally manufactured lights. Consider your comfort level with electronics and your skill level when deciding whether a DIY dive light is for you.

    The Lamp, Torchhead and Canister

    • Dive lights typically use one of three types of bulbs: HID, halogen or LED. While HID technology offers the brightest, whitest light, it's quite expensive and has a limited life. LED bulbs tend to be sturdy and last a long time, but they're also costly. Halogen lamps don't produce as white a light, but these bulbs are inexpensive. Other considerations exist---for example, the HID lamp cannot be "hot-struck." That is, if you turn it off, it can't be turned back on if it is hot. it has to cool down first.

      You must also take into consideration the type of diving you plan to do. Different lamps will be more suitable for specific environments. For instance, some divers prefer halogen lights for caves and HID lighting for open-water environments. A matter of personal preference, this does requires some research. Take a look at the light each type of lamp throws before making your decision.

      Many DIY light makers choose PVC pipe for the construction of the canister, which contains the batteries. This creates an attractive cylinder that's similar to the typical store-bought canister lights. Some choose a prefabricated watertight box called an otterbox, designed to fit a collection of C-sized batteries. However, the risk that this thinner plastic may compress inward at depth does exist.

      Before choosing how to construct your light canister, you will again need to consider the type of diving you're doing and the setup of your gear. A more compact battery pack might be more convenient.

      Most manufacturers of dive lights don't generally sell nonuser serviceable parts to the public, possibly because of the potential liability. But it could also be to discourage the DIY movement, since it could ultimately cut into the market for manufactured dive lights. You can, however, find vendors who will sell you light components. Whether you choose to construct your own from alternate materials or use these manufactured parts is up to you and the amount of time you're willing to invest.

    Do Your Research

    • You'll find many different recommendations for DIY dive-light projects on the Internet, some complex and others considerably more simple. Check the many diving forums for photos and schematics of DIYers who have completed such projects. Sites like Scubaboard.com have discussion threads focused on DIY light projects.

      An honest assessment of both your goals and skill level should lead you to a plan that's right for you.