Halcyon's Explorer and Proteus lighting systems set the standard for underwater illumination. HID, halogen, and HMI lamps can be matched with any application, while a wide variety of canister/battery configurations allows you to dial in your system to meet the demands of any diving environment:

• Explorer NiMH Primary Lights
• Proteus Lead Acid Primary Lights
• 2003 10watt HID Light Head
• Apollo HID Video/Film Lighting
• Apollo HMI Video/Film Lighting
• Apollo Video Housings
• Halcyon Lighting Technology Overview
• Scout Reserve Lights

• HID FAQ
• NiMH FAQ

Show your DIR Diver colors at your local divesite with new Halcyon shirts and hats. We're now offering a Halcyon DIR Dive System shirt and baseball cap with Halcyon's new logo.

Halcyon shirts and hats are available through your local Halcyon dealer.

Charging your Helios battery pack

Proper charging of the Helios battery pack is essential to ensure a long NiMH battery life. If the charger is not properly designed and matched to the battery’s voltage, chemistry and configuration, the result can be poor performance of the battery due to insufficient charge, shortened battery life due to overheating of the battery, and the chance of fire or explosion of the battery from over-charging. Charger selection is so important to the life of the Helios battery pack that the use of any charger other than the Halcyon NiMH charger will void Halcyon's warranty. The Halcyon Helios charger has been specially designed to charge the Helios 4, 9, and 13.5 battery packs and should not be used with any other make or type of battery. The Helios charger cannot be used with Halcyon’s Explorer Pro lead acid battery packs.

The Halcyon Helios charger uses both temperature and voltage detection to control battery charge rate. The following charge times are based on averages determined during our own testing for each battery configuration from maximum discharge.

 

Average Charge Times
Helios 4.5:	5 hours
Helios 9:	10 hours
Helios 13.5:	15 hours

Note: the Halcyon NiMH charger will be very warm to the touch during charging. After reaching full charge, the Halcyon NiMH charger’s light will flicker or go out. It is ok (but not necessary) to leave the charger connected to the Helios battery pack. As covered in a following section, all battery packs will experience a slight self-discharge during extended storage. Always top off the battery pack with a fresh charge before diving if the light has been in storage.

NiMH Battery Storage

Essentially all rechargeable battery cells gradually discharge over time whether they are used or not. The loss rate (self-discharge rate) is a function of the cell chemistry and the temperature environment experienced by the cell. NiMH batteries are sensitive to high temperatures; if the battery is stored at high temperatures, the self-discharge will be accelerated. A completely charged battery pack stored in a 77° F room will drop to approximately 60% of capacity after 30 days, while the same pack stored in a storage shed with temperatures approaching 120° F / 50° C will be totally discharged in the same amount of time. Cells stored for an extended period or at elevated temperatures may require more than one discharge/charge cycle to attain pre-storage capacities.

Recommended Storage Conditions

Store the Halcyon Helios battery pack disconnected from the light to eliminate loaded storage effects, which in NiMH batteries can lead to increased self-discharge.

The primary gas emitted from the Nickel-Metal Hydride cell when subjected to excessive overcharge or overdischarge is hydrogen. Do not store a Helios light for extended periods of time with the battery pack in place and the lid closed. Always open the lid of the light to vent any ambient gasses after storage and before you operate the light.

Helios Frequently Asked Questions

Light signals can be an important means of communication because they work in a variety of situations and are especially effective in gaining a team member's attention. In dark surroundings, individuals can easily communicate with their lights over large distances. Even in close quarters light signals may be preferable, especially if divers are not facing one another. Many open water divers are starting to realize how lights can simplify communication and enrich a dive. Divers frequently use light signals over hand signals because they are:

• Easy to see
• More efficient to use
• Effective at much greater distances

DIR Tips courtesy of Global Underwater Explorers