Replacement bulb for 10W HID?

Hi guys

Six months ago, I bought a second-hand DR 10W HID cannister light. From looking at the DR website, it appears to be MR11 Sunspot HID Slimline Light (based on appearance, and dimensions of cannister).

http://www.diverite.com/products/catalog/retired/lt6250mr11-ss

The last few dives, the light has appeared really weak - to the point where I was unable to use it for signalling, and my buddy's LED light was all I could see. Not right! The light doesn't seem to flicker, and it powers up OK (the usual blue/orange flicker when warming up) - so I don't think it's the cable. I tried my buddies cannister on my light head - and it's definitely the light, not the battery.

So would the next guess be the bulb? I guess the light is 3-4 years old, since it was discontinued in 2008.

So, unless someone has a better suggestion, I suppose the next thing is to get a replacement bulb, and see if that works? I don't want to send it back to DR, since (a) I'm in Australia, and this will take a long time and expense, and (b) I'm not the original purchaser of the light.

So... where can I get a bulb for this light?

Thanks for your advice etc,
Simon

Edit: updated model after more research

I think it's the same bulb used in the UK Light Cannon. If so, you should be able to get one anywhere, although the problem could be with the ballast.

Underwater Kinetics Replacement Bulb for Light Cannon ?

what would the symptom of a failed ballast be? how to tell?

(can you check current against some expected value?)

Hi,

I suggest emailing our Service Manager, Mike Engle. He can trouble shoot over email and hopefully save you the shipment of the light back to us in the states. Mike is at service@diverite.com

Kathleen

lyricnz:

what would the symptom of a failed ballast be? how to tell?

(can you check current against some expected value?)

Click to expand...

I'm no expert but if the ballast is bad the light will most likely not strike (I have a light just like this,sometimes it strikes,sometimes not)

Changing the bulb is a good place to start.If it does not fix it swap it back again and keep the new bulb as a spare.

If you want to certain it's the bulb before buying a new one, borrow the bulb from your buddies light. Of course if you screw up you then have 2 flooded lights and one annoyed buddy!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I contacted my local DR dealer, who said that they were unable to source replacement bulbs for my light; and are also unable to source the DR LED replacement innards. The best he could do was offer my a complete head replacement, with the LED model, at about 60% of the new-retail price. And gear is very expensive down here in AU. Ouch!

I guess I'll try a homemade bodge first, and if I stuff it up, go with the new head. Wish me luck!