What Is a Light Tower
In the early 1990s, it was normal for workers to work in dim light. However, with the development and progress of science and technology, and the improvement of internal combustion engines in the early and mid-20th century, light towers were invented.
Light tower is a tall device equipped with powerful lights, designed to provide high-intensity illumination over a large area. Typically, the lights are installed on the mast mounted on trailers or fixed at the rear of vehicles. Light towers are used in various industries and play a crucial role in ensuring visibility, safety, and productivity in low-light conditions.
Types of Light Towers
OPTRAFFIC light towers are divided into four types, and the following is a brief introduction.
Mini solar light tower: LED lamp wattage 2*100W, Lights output 30000Lms, LED life time >50000hrs, solar panel 1*455W, mast height 4M,
Medi solar light tower: LED lamp wattage 2/4*100W, Lights output 18000-60000Lms, LED life time >50000hrs, solar panel 1/2*455W, mast height 6.5M
Super solar light tower: LED lamp wattage 4/6*100W, Lights output 60000-90000Lms, LED life time >50000hrs, solar panel 3*455W, mast height 6.5M
Hybrid solar light tower: LED lamp wattage 4/6*100W, Lights output 60000-90000Lms, LED life time >50000hrs, solar panel 3*455W, mast height 6.5M
The Power Source of Light Towers
Light towers can be powered from various sources, including solar energy, diesel, or a hybrid of both.
Solar light towers capture sunlight through solar panels installed on the top and convert it into electrical energy, which is stored in batteries for use at night or under low light conditions. Solar energy provides sustainable and environmentally friendly power, which is pollution-free and renewable. The continuous operating cost of the solar light tower is extremely low, and the solar panels require minimal maintenance. In addition, solar light towers operate quietly and are suitable for noise-sensitive environments.
Diesel-powered light towers use diesel fuel to generate electricity, usually through internal combustion engines and generators. Diesel-powered light towers can offer dependable lighting for an extended period of time without being impacted by the weather or sunlight, making them ideal for distant areas or places that cannot be linked to electricity. Diesel engines can generate high levels of power, providing bright and consistent lighting in large areas. However, diesel-powered light towers emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, causing air pollution. Diesel-powered light towers have ongoing fuel expenses and logistical difficulties since they need to be refueled regularly. Furthermore, the expense of maintenance, which includes filter replacement and engine repairs, is relatively expensive.
The hybrid light tower combines solar and diesel power sources, equipped with solar panels for daytime charging and energy storage, and supplemented by diesel generators as backup power sources to extend operation time during high-demand periods. The hybrid light tower offers flexibility and dependability by integrating the benefits of diesel and renewable energy.
LED VS. Metal Halide
There are generally two types of lighting tower lights, including LED lights and metal halide lights. The following reveals the key differences between the two in terms of energy efficiency, durability, reliability, and environmental impact.
LED lights perform excellently in every aspect. Compared to metal halides, they have lower power consumption and longer lifespan, are more environmentally friendly, and typically last for tens of thousands of hours before needing to be replaced. Since LED lights don’t have filaments or other delicate parts, they are more resistant to impact, vibration, and frequent on/off. Due to their sturdy structure, they are also less prone to malfunctions. LED lights usually have better color effects and can provide better lighting for various applications.
On the other hand, metal halide lights have lower costs but higher energy consumption, shorter lifespan, and longer preheating time. Metal halide lamps contain fragile filaments, making them more susceptible to damage from vibration and impact. They are prone to malfunctions if switch frequently. In addition, metal halide lamps contain hazardous substances such as mercury, which can pose environmental risks if not handled properly.
In summary, even though metal halide lamps may be cheap initially, LED lights are a more preferred and economical option over time due to their superior energy efficiency, longevity, durability, reliability, and environmental sustainability.
Light Towers Used for Multiple Industries
For a variety of sectors, light towers serve as indispensable sources of illumination since they offer basic lighting solutions and enhance productivity, safety, and visibility in different environments.
Construction
In construction sites, light towers are essential for providing lighting for various tasks and operations, especially at night or in poor light conditions. To provide the best visibility for workers and other equipment, lighting towers are positioned strategically across workplaces. Light towers provide powerful and consistent lighting for various applications, including building construction, road construction, and infrastructure development, enabling work to be completed safely and effectively around the clock. They help improve productivity, strengthen safety, and enable construction projects to be completed before urgent deadlines by extending working hours until late at night.
Mining
Mining areas are usually remote and relatively harsh, so light towers are essential. These sturdy and durable light towers can be moved to any place to ensure optimal visibility for workers and heavy machinery. Whether it is open-pit mining or underground tunnel operation, light towers provide powerful lighting to ensure safety and improve productivity, and efficiency in all aspects, and enable mining operations to be carried out day and night without interruption, minimizing the risk of accidents or errors due to low visibility.
Traffic
Light towers are vital to the traffic industry because they improve the security and visibility of roads and highways through powerful lighting, particularly in times of emergency, maintenance, and construction. These tall light towers are important tools for traffic management agencies and road workers because they are equipped with high-brightness LED that can illuminate large areas, and equipped with trailers to quickly and efficiently deploy to different locations as needed. Whether guiding drivers to avoid work areas, reminding them of lane closures, or providing visibility during nighttime road construction projects, light towers minimize interference and improve overall traffic safety.
Law Enforcement
The portability and versatility of light towers make them important equipment for law enforcement agencies, and valuable tools for improving visibility and maintaining safety in various situations. Light towers are often used at crime scenes, accident sites, and emergency response sites to provide necessary lighting for police to fulfill their duties such as evidence collection, traffic control, and crowd management.
Emergency & Disaster Relief
Light towers are valuable equipment that provides lighting for emergencies and disaster relief areas. Mobile light towers can be easily deployed to disaster areas, emergency response sites, and temporary shelters to ensure visibility and safety during the night. Light towers are important in search and rescue operations, enabling emergency response workers to rescue under low light conditions.
Activities
Light towers help create a vibrant and well-lit environment for various gatherings and celebrations. Whether it’s outdoor concerts, sports events, festivals, or community gatherings, light towers can provide bright lighting to ensure visibility and safety for participants and audiences. Light towers not only enhance the overall atmosphere but also extend the time for enjoyment and entertainment.
Outdoor Movies
An additional unusual use for the light tower is for outside filming. With its mobility and powerful lighting capabilities, light towers enable filmmakers to capture stunning shots even under poor lighting conditions. Whether used to illuminate scenes at night, provide supplementary lighting during daytime, or create dramatic lighting effects, light towers are indispensable devices for outdoor filmmakers to help them produce high-quality films.
The Benefits of Lighting Towers
Safety
Lighting towers efficiently reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by illuminating work sites, roads, temporary parking lots, and other poorly lit locations, enabling workers, drivers, and participants to avoid potential dangers.
Durable
Taking the light tower of OPTRAFFIC as an example, the durability will be explained in detail below.
The main materials of the OPTRAFFIC light towers are aluminum and hot-dip galvanized steel, which are waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and UV-resistant. Furthermore, the OPTRAFFIC light towers are equipped with high-quality, energy-efficient LED bulbs that have a lifespan of more than 50,000 hours.
Portable
Due to the frequent use on rugged construction sites, light towers are generally movable and portable. The trailer bottom of light towers is equipped with sturdy wheels that allow workers to easily move them from one side of the field to the other. Light towers can be easily towed by vehicles to any area where they are required.
Easy-to-setup
Light towers are quite easy to operate and typically come with comprehensive, step-by-step instructions. Anyone, from a qualified electrician to an experienced lighting engineer, to a complete amateur, can easily master the usage of a light tower
Large Lighting Coverage
Due to the retractable mast and high-brightness LED bulbs, light towers can provide a wide range of illumination. The following is the experimental data of OPTRAFFIC.
OPTRAFFIC solar light tower provides the optimal lighting solution that covers large areas up to 27000 square feet.
Low Noise
If the work project is to be carried out in residential or public areas, the noise decibels of the light tower must be taken into account. There are regulations regarding the allowable noise levels in these areas (especially at night), and even in areas without regulations, equipment noise can cause harm to workers’ ears. OPTRAFFIC light towers are quiet and low-noise, and anyone working nearby does not need to use ear protectors, which also means they are suitable for use in city centers, residential areas, or at night.
How to Use Light Towers
Effective use of light towers involves several key steps to ensure optimal lighting and safety. Here is a guide on how to use a light tower:
- Check the condition of the light tower, check the battery, and make sure all LED bulbs can work properly.
- Install the light tower at the rear of vehicles, then drive to the site.
- Deploy the light tower in a suitable location, turn on the power, adjust the mast height, and set the brightness of the light bulb through the OPTRAFFIC WEB system.
- Regularly monitor the light tower during operation to ensure that it continues to operate correctly.
How to Choose the Right Lighting Tower?
The correct light tower not only helps teamwork easily but also greatly improves safety.
However, how to choose the appropriate light tower is a confusing problem for many people. The following are suggestions and considerations from professionals.
Lighting Coverage and Brightness: Before choosing a light tower, please consider the size of the site that requires lighting. Is it a small courtyard? Or is it a large construction site? It is very important to choose a light tower that can fully provide the right lighting as you require. There are two factors that affect lighting, the lumen of the light bulb and the height of the mast. The so-called lumen, in simple terms, refers to the brightness displayed by a candle at a distance of one meter. The higher the lumen, the brighter the bulb, the higher the mast, and the wider the range of illumination.
Transportability: The transportability of light towers is also a factor that must be considered. Before purchasing, consider whether the light tower is easy to move and deploy, and also consider the main part of the light tower – the mast, make sure that the mast is extendable, compact, and convenient for transportation.
Noise Level: It is advised to select quiet or low-noise light towers, with noise levels between 60 and 70 decibels, when working in residential areas or environments where noise is a concern to reduce interference, maintain a comfortable living environment for surrounding residents, and provide a good working environment for workers.
Automation: With the development of technology, light towers have also entered the era of automation. From solar panel, to mast, to light, to battery, all can be managed through a controller. Automation can simplify operations, improve efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and improve overall productivity and convenience.
Maintenance: Due to the long service life of large equipment such as light towers, please confirm if your supplier provides quality assurance and maintenance services.
How Much Does a Portable Light Tower Cost?
The following are the two primary ways to get a light tower:
Buying a light tower may prove to be more economical in the long run, particularly for businesses that need to utilize the equipment often, even though the initial cost may be expensive. OPTRAFFIC offers electronic equipment at prices that are typically 30% lower than those found in the U.S. market.
Leasing might be a good choice for institutions or organizations that don’t need to utilize light towers frequently.
Conclusion
Light towers play an important role in various industries and are essential tools for construction companies and law enforcement agencies. When purchasing or renting light towers, it is recommended to collaborate with experienced equipment companies so that you can choose the appropriate light tower based on your application and unique needs to avoid costly errors.
OPTRAFFIC is a leading manufacturer in the traffic equipment industry with over ten years of production experience, an advanced R&D team, a professional service team, and agents worldwide.
