Traveling with Sola lights

[al248005]

Hi I am leaving at the end of next week for a vacation to Cayman Brac. I'm flying with American and I just got a Sola light I was going to take with me. I am going put my housing, tray, and arm in my checked bag. Due to the cost of the Sola light I would prefer to keep it with me in my carry on in the locked position. Would this be allowed per the TSA rules with lithium batteries? I know it has one in it but its a sealed light and cannot be removed.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I have a Sola light as well. Yes you can carry on. They will want you to carry on anyway due to the battery.

Off topic but since you mentioned it, I would suggest not checking your housing. Arms and trays are okay...housing checked makes me nervous. Any damage and that can mean leaks and floods.

 

[Chris Ross]

Aviation regulations require you to carry on Lithium batteries and there's all sorts of other rules about capacities, though as I recall most batteries for camera/lighting equipment are well under the capacity limit. Spares should be protected against potential to short. Here's the FAA regs (FAA is regulatory authority for this not TSA) : Pack Safe page through to find lithium batteries. Rules apply to any Li batteries you have including those for the camera. AA also have their own rules: Restricted items − Baggage − American Airlines for instance you are supposed remove all batteries from cameras etc if you check them. You are normally asked at check in if all Lithium batteries are removed from your checked baggage. They won't normally be looking for them at security.

 

[Dr Simon Mitchell]

Hello.

If they think that the battery cannot be separated from the light head they may try to confiscate it. Sola lights look a bit like that. My apologies if you already know this, but you can unscrew the front and remove the light head.... and there is a flight position you can replace the head in which means that the light simply cannot be turned on, even if you operate the switch. I would advise you to do this, and be ready to demonstrate it if they ask.

Further to Chris's post, know the capacity of the battery (that means having documentation that shows it), and have a copy of the regs that show a battery of that output is allowed. I can't remember the numbers, sorry, but Sola lights are fine. Trouble is, there are some TSA and overseas security people who don't know their own rules and some strange (and costly) things have happened to underwater photographers. I had a close call with my Big Blue lights in Mexico recently.

Simon M

 

[drbill]

I've never had a problem with my Solas and my housing in my carry on bag... of course not much room for clothing!

 

[tursiops]

It is only spare lithium batteries that cannot be checked. Installed are OK.
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...fo/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

 

[outofofficebrb]

Do remember to check the requirements of other countries. The FAA and TSA only governs the US and you might find yourself in a pickle in other countries with their policies. Having documentation that shows the capacity is a great recommendation and I think I will do this for myself.

Thank you!

 

[Silty Sam]

...make sure you do that lock-out procedure so the light can't be turned on accidentally just by rubbing against something.

 

[pinshootr]

what kind of issues/what size lights/batteries, looking at a trip to Cozumel and I have big blue 30,000 lights so more info would be helpful Thanks Tod

If they think that the battery cannot be separated from the light head they may try to confiscate it. Sola lights look a bit like that. My apologies if you already know this, but you can unscrew the front and remove the light head.... and there is a flight position you can replace the head in which means that the light simply cannot be turned on, even if you operate the switch. I would advise you to do this, and be ready to demonstrate it if they ask.

Further to Chris's post, know the capacity of the battery (that means having documentation that shows it), and have a copy of the regs that show a battery of that output is allowed. I can't remember the numbers, sorry, but Sola lights are fine. Trouble is, there are some TSA and overseas security people who don't know their own rules and some strange (and costly) things have happened to underwater photographers. I had a close call with my Big Blue lights in Mexico recently.

Simon M[/QUOTE]

 

[Manneca]

I just came back from Bali and had no problem with my Sola. (In the US, I'm Pre-Check so that may help). Outbound from Taipei, they confiscated a cheap flash light I had bought in Bali because it was supposedly a lead-acid battery. I was grateful they hadn't found the Sola.