Repair - upgrade HID light

MonkSeal · June 30th, 2006, 04:16 PM

I have Dive Rite 21W HID light with 4.5Ah NiMh battery pack. Or at least I have had it.

The balast has been damaged and I sent the light for repair. I was offered an upgrade (for $250) to 24W HID because they didn't store 21W spare parts. The problem that I see is that burn time with 24W will be approx. 1:30 which is not enough. Should I consider downgrade to 10W to have enough burn time?

Feel free to suggest.

**jb2cool** · June 30th, 2006, 05:24 PM

if it was me i think i'd wait tillsome of the 21w ballasts were available and then get it repaired to the same spec as it was.

***ericfine50*** · June 30th, 2006, 08:50 PM

can you see if they will throw in a second battery? Would that be an option if you go to the 24 Watt?

MonkSeal · July 1st, 2006, 07:59 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool)

if it was me i think i'd wait tillsome of the 21w ballasts were available and then get it repaired to the same spec as it was.

The manufacturer (from China) is out of business so 21w ballasts will not be available any more.

MonkSeal · July 1st, 2006, 08:05 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50)

can you see if they will throw in a second battery? Would that be an option if you go to the 24 Watt?

That would be an option. Unfortunately 9Ah battery pack can't fit my canister. I suggested an upgrade of everything, but they told me that such option didn't exist on their price list. BTW if you go for a spare parts, difference between small and big canister is 0$, difference between 4.5Ah and 9Ah battery pack is $50 and I don't see why they refuse to give me this option. I'm waiting for their final answer. Still I'm interested in your opinion.

Kevrumbo · July 3rd, 2006, 10:01 AM

Downgrade it to 10W, and get it back as soon as possible. Use it and save your money for now; wait for the 21W standard model of the new X-Light System from Dive-Xtras to hopefully come out later this year. . .

MonkSeal · July 7th, 2006, 03:28 PM

Here's an update: I'm offered full upgrade (balast + canister + batteries) for $600. Basically, I have three options:
a) upgrade to 24W (balast only) for $250 - burn time approx 1:30
b) downgrade to 10W (balast only) - burn time approx 4:00
c) full upgrade to 24W for $600 - burn time approx 4:00

What's you opinion?

MonkSeal · July 7th, 2006, 04:32 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal)

Here's an update: I'm offered full upgrade (balast + canister + batteries) for $600. Basically, I have three options:
a) upgrade to 24W (balast only) for $250 - burn time approx 1:30
b) downgrade to 10W (balast only) - burn time approx 4:00
c) full upgrade to 24W for $600 - burn time approx 4:00

What's you opinion?

In the meantime I received mail that downgrade - option b) wasn't option. That leaves me choices a) or c). I'm still not sure what do to. I've hoped for better offer for c) having in my mind their actual prices for spare parts.

***EBT*** · July 8th, 2006, 12:14 PM

how old is the light??

MonkSeal · July 9th, 2006, 10:18 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by EBT)

how old is the light??

One year and four months. And it's declared as "long time expired warranty" by manufacturer. During this period I sustained Goodman handle failure (poor design) on my 3rd dive with light and several cable failures (poor cable quality) - everything fixed by myself without claiming warranty. I stressed those facts while trying to find a solution but obviously they were not impressed. I strongly believe that if I was customer from US I would be treated diffrently. It looks that I'll probably go for a full upgrade because upgrading only ballast would be total waste of money but this will definitely be my last piece of euipment bought from DiveRite.

June 30th, 2006, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
jb2cool(Offline) Sorry for being a dick Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 1,053	if it was me i think i'd wait tillsome of the 21w ballasts were available and then get it repaired to the same spec as it was. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

July 3rd, 2006, 10:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kevrumbo(Offline) Sunda Strait 29Jul-04Aug Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, South Santa Monica Bay Calif, USA Posts: 161	Downgrade it to 10W, and get it back as soon as possible. Use it and save your money for now; wait for the 21W standard model of the new X-Light System from Dive-Xtras to hopefully come out later this year. . . __________________ "I shall never rest my head on my pillow in peace and quiet as long as I remember the loss of my American colonies." -King George III, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvn-bYVR2YI

June 30th, 2006, 04:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	I have Dive Rite 21W HID light with 4.5Ah NiMh battery pack. Or at least I have had it. The balast has been damaged and I sent the light for repair. I was offered an upgrade (for $250) to 24W HID because they didn't store 21W spare parts. The problem that I see is that burn time with 24W will be approx. 1:30 which is not enough. Should I consider downgrade to 10W to have enough burn time? Feel free to suggest.

June 30th, 2006, 08:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	can you see if they will throw in a second battery? Would that be an option if you go to the 24 Watt?

July 1st, 2006, 07:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool) if it was me i think i'd wait tillsome of the 21w ballasts were available and then get it repaired to the same spec as it was. The manufacturer (from China) is out of business so 21w ballasts will not be available any more.

July 1st, 2006, 08:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50) can you see if they will throw in a second battery? Would that be an option if you go to the 24 Watt? That would be an option. Unfortunately 9Ah battery pack can't fit my canister. I suggested an upgrade of everything, but they told me that such option didn't exist on their price list. BTW if you go for a spare parts, difference between small and big canister is 0$, difference between 4.5Ah and 9Ah battery pack is $50 and I don't see why they refuse to give me this option. I'm waiting for their final answer. Still I'm interested in your opinion.

July 7th, 2006, 03:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Here's an update: I'm offered full upgrade (balast + canister + batteries) for $600. Basically, I have three options: a) upgrade to 24W (balast only) for $250 - burn time approx 1:30 b) downgrade to 10W (balast only) - burn time approx 4:00 c) full upgrade to 24W for $600 - burn time approx 4:00 What's you opinion?

July 7th, 2006, 04:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal) Here's an update: I'm offered full upgrade (balast + canister + batteries) for $600. Basically, I have three options: a) upgrade to 24W (balast only) for $250 - burn time approx 1:30 b) downgrade to 10W (balast only) - burn time approx 4:00 c) full upgrade to 24W for $600 - burn time approx 4:00 What's you opinion? In the meantime I received mail that downgrade - option b) wasn't option. That leaves me choices a) or c). I'm still not sure what do to. I've hoped for better offer for c) having in my mind their actual prices for spare parts.

July 8th, 2006, 12:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
*EBT*(Offline) Just another crouton... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 527	how old is the light??

July 9th, 2006, 10:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by EBT) how old is the light?? One year and four months. And it's declared as "long time expired warranty" by manufacturer. During this period I sustained Goodman handle failure (poor design) on my 3rd dive with light and several cable failures (poor cable quality) - everything fixed by myself without claiming warranty. I stressed those facts while trying to find a solution but obviously they were not impressed. I strongly believe that if I was customer from US I would be treated diffrently. It looks that I'll probably go for a full upgrade because upgrading only ballast would be total waste of money but this will definitely be my last piece of euipment bought from DiveRite.