Shedding Light on Innovation
Manufacturers cast light on the latest features to enhance jobsite illumination.
“When used this way in collaboration, they actually give users 40 hours of light for eight hours of generator time,” says Hislop. “This presents a considerable fuel savings, something that is especially attractive as the price of diesel fuel continues to rise. If users are on a jobsite where power is available, they can simply charge their light towers by plugging them into a 110V circuit.”
The light towers are built on the same chassis as their AL 4000 and AL 5000 metal halide counterparts, but they are not meant to replace them, says Hislop. “The LED technology is very versatile and can be used in a wide variety of applications, while lowering operating costs and improving job performance,” he explains. “Yet, it is more expensive, too.”
LED light towers cost approximately twice as much as conventional models. As Hislop points out, however, there is a place for both technologies, and when a project calls for special needs, the LED light towers can be an attractive option.
The next generation takes over
Twelve years after introducing its Night-Lite PRO light towers, Allmand has introduced the Night-Lite PROII. Available in V-Series (vertical only) and traditional “laydown” configurations, the new models offer a number of updated features to enhance operation and serviceability.
“Our Night-Lite PRO series has a great reputation for performance and value, and we wanted to build on that,” says Doug Dahlgren, Allmand sales engineer.
He notes that all new domestic PROII models feature the SHO-HD (Super High Output-High Definition) lighting system. “Four 1,250-watt bulbs increase performance over traditional 1,000-watt bulbs,” says Dahlgren. “The 600,000 lumens they produce more closely approximate daylight for a safer and more productive workplace. In fact, three Allmand light towers with our SHO-HD lighting system can replace four light towers with industry standard 1,000-watt bulbs, and provide a higher level of illumination.”
He continues, “Another feature that speaks to performance on the V-Series is the hydraulically actuated tower that can be fully raised or lowered in only 20 seconds with the flip of a switch. The four light fixtures also have infinite adjustment capability to reduce glare, which makes them ideal for highway repair projects. An optional Saf-T-Visor set can be added to reflect previously wasted light directly onto the worksite.”
When lowered, the lights are contained within the trailer’s footprint, requiring less space for storage and shipping and eliminating the potential for damage from lights hanging over the rear of the trailer.
The “gull-wing” style doors are made from a molded poly material (pDCPD). “This is the first use of this material in light towers,” says Dahlgren. “It doesn’t rust like metal, the paint won’t chip and it is extremely durable. In fact, at this year’s Rental Show in Las Vegas, attendees were given the opportunity to beat one of the new polymer doors with a rubber hammer.” The material, he adds, easily withstood the punishment, just as it will withstand difficult field conditions.
The wide doors are designed to enhance serviceability, as well, by providing full access to all major components in the enclosure. For example, newly designed plug-in ballast assemblies are fully accessible and may be easily removed for service. The ballasts feature replaceable components that can reduce repair costs when compared to one-piece “potted” ballasts.
Delivering added value
More highway traffic in metropolitan areas, along with tighter deadlines for all types of building projects, has required more nighttime work, Dahlgren notes. Along with the growing demand for portable lighting has come a demand for products that enhance performance and provide even more value.
For many users, value means efficiency. “LED and plasma lighting, which lighten the load on generators, and smaller, more efficient engines are part of this equation,” says Todd Howe, product marketing manager for generators and lighting systems, Doosan Infracore Portable Power. “So, too, are compact machines. Really, any product enhancement that reduces the cost of operation without reducing performance is what customers want.
