Halcyon has put years of research and development into the manufacture of the ultimate diving lights.
Halcyon Helios NiMH Lighting Systems Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery technology emerged nearly thirty years ago from research on the storage of hydrogen for use as an alternative energy source. NiMH development resulted in batteries providing enhanced capacities while retaining the well-characterized electrical and physical design features of the sealed Nickel Cadmium cell design. Halcyon is pleased to be at the forefront of dive equipment innovation by introducing Nickel-Metal Hydride technology in its Helios line of underwater lighting.
The discharge behavior of the Helios Nickel-Metal Hydride battery pack is well-suited for underwater lighting applications. Halcyon’s NiMH battery pack provides a stable voltage for extended periods of operations.
When compared to other battery technologies, Halcyon’s Helios Nickel-Metal Hydride battery pack offers three distinct advantages:
Higher
capacity: Halcyon’s Helios battery pack has more
than 50% more energy density than their lead acid
counterparts. As a result, the Helios light canisters
can be a fraction of the size of the Explorer Pro line
with equal or greater burn times.
Environmentally
green: NiMH batteries contain no cadnium, mercury,
lead, or lithium which are proven to be a disaster in
landfills.
No memory
effect: Unlike lead acid and NICAD packs, NiMH
batteries are not affected by battery memory effect
and can be partially recharged and discharged at will
without shortening the life of the battery.
The NiMH Advantage
Thanks to the compact size of the Helios NiMH battery pack, Helios lighting systems are able to drive a variety of HID lamps for times that exceed the much larger Explorer Pro systems. The following table provides burn times for the Helios 4.5 and 9 primary lights as well as for the Helios video lighting systems. Times are approximate and based on our measurements using properly charged and conditioned battery packs.
Helios Primary Light Systems
Model Configuration Burn Time
Helios 4.5 4.5ah 10watt HID 250 min
Helios 9 9ah 18watt HID 250 min
Helios Video Light Systems
Model
Configuration Burn Time
Helios Video 4.5/24 4 4.5ah
24watt HID 120 min
Helios Video 9/24X2 9ah dual
24watt HID 120 min
Helios Video 9/50 9ah 50watt HID
90 min
Helios Video 13.5 13.5ah dual 50watt HID 65
min
Helios 9 and Explorer Pro 14 The extended burn times are remarkable considering the reduction in size of the lights: the displacement of the Helios 9 18 watt HID light is three times less than the Explorer Pro 6 with the same lamp, yet it burns for twice as long. The Helios 4.5 10 watt HID is three times smaller in displaced volume than a similarly configured Explorer Pro 4 for the same practical burn time! The Helios 4.5 now comes with Halcyon's redesigned 10watt HID light head. The powerful Helios 13.5 video system, with its scorching twin 50 watt HID video lights, is one third the size of the Apollo 14; photographers and videographers alike will appreciate the increased maneuverability of diving with the smaller canister. Like the rest of the Helios line, the Helios 13.5’s design is perfect for securing your 1st stage long hose during a dive. Helios Delrin Canister Thanks to the compact dimension of the NiMH battery pack, the Helios canister is a fraction of the size of the Explorer Pro lighting system. Just like its indestructible Scout back-up light, Halcyon mills the Helios canister out of a solid rod of Delrin. The one-piece design ensures a structural integrity not found in any other available dive light. Delrin shares the same characteristics of industrial metals such as aluminum and stainless steel. Some comparable properties include stiffness, dimensional stability, impact resistance, and structural strength. The one-piece Delrin canister is virtually indestructible under normal usage. Although the canister itself can withstand depths of over 3000 feet, the recommended working depth of the Halcyon Helios line is 450 feet/137 meters. To complement the Delrin canister, all Helios lights feature high quality stainless steel fittings and new locking latches. The small diameter of the Helios canister prevents the use of the self-connecting banana plugs found in the Explorer Pro line. Simply line up the color coded connector and use firm pressure to plug and unplug the battery pack from the light lid or the Helios charger.