ikelight 225 conversion

My 225's rechargable batteries have died, I also left the smartcharger in bonaire. (I have a great excuse for that one)

Since I can buy a used 225 for under $300, and a new charger and batteries will cost as much I'm thinking of converting it to disposable batteries.

I want to get lighter, smaller flashes, so I dont want to use the 225 as a primary anymore. Im tired of the "Are you trying to compensate for something?" jokes.

I dont want to get rid of it, I think it will make a great slave light for a model.

Has anybody here made a similar conversion? Is there anything I should be concerned about when dealing with the 225?

The clear front dome tends to become cracked by some gas given off by alkaline cells under the heavy current draw of these strobes. Next problem is newest ni-cad rechargable packs are too powerful for the old circuitry to handle. Decent burial is the humane recommendation, or try installing less powerful ni-cads.............

Ike, any recomendation of the size of the Nicads? Would just using C sized be enough of a change?

Original installation was 4ah ni-cad "D" cells. Newest "C" cells approach 3ah so would be okay. Most consumer rechargeable "D" cells are actually "C" inside a "D" can so should be fine. Understand this old strobe will have a difficult time operating with most of the current digital cameras............

My plan is to have another diver carry the light with a handle that makes it look like a flashlight. I'll mount a slave to it and take some interesting pics.

David Doubilet took the cover of Ocean Realm Spring 1997 using such a setup.