FAQ
q. Why doesn’t Lumitec have any published Lumen information?
a. Our research indicates that lumen data as published by many lighting
suppliers is grossly inaccurate, or at best misleading. To accurately ascertain
this information one needs to conduct careful testing using sophisticated
equipment. In lieu of this, many companies generate lumen ‘approximations’ by
simply adding the lumen output published by emitter manufacturers.
Unfortunately, this data usually yields approximations which are significantly
overstated. The reason is that the initial emitter output data is generated in
a laboratory, with a junction temp of 25C, at a pulse of about 20 mS. This
emitter lumen output information is really only useful for comparing one emitter
to another. Moreover, this ‘hypothetical’ lumen data is typically not derated
for reduction of luminous efficiency due to heat, optics, windows, elevated
drive currents, etc.
Naturally, it is not our policy to knowingly publish incorrect information.
Therefore, we prefer to compare our lights to alternate light sources. For
example, our SeaBlaze3 underwater light is brighter than most lights in its
class, and usually outperforms lights priced 2 to 3 times more. Our Caprera and
Capri lights are excellent replacements for the typical 55W halogen flood
lights. These comparisons can be seen in our side-by-side photographic
comparisons in the “products” section of our web site.
(or click here for photos of our lights in use)
q. What type of bottom paint should be used when mounting the
SeaBlaze Underwater Lights to the transom?
a. We recommend using Trilux 33 Antifouling Aluminum Bottom Paint with your
SeaBlaze Underwater Lights. Any pre-existing bottom paints on the transom with
high copper content should be removed within a 1 inch border around the SeaBlaze
housing. The removal area can then be coated with the Trilux 33 Antifouling
Paint or other “Aluminum Safe” bottom paint.
q. What sealant is recommended for the underwater lights?
a. 5200 is not recommended as it is an very aggressive adhesive. 4200 is
recommended as a proper sealant.
q. Do I need a DC transformer as the power of the original Halogen
lights I am replacing is 110v 60hz?
a. Yes, you will need a power source of 12 to 24 VDC.
q. Some of your lights are rated for 12VDC, but my boat only has
24VDC where I want to install the lights. Is there any way to use your 12VDC on
a vessel’s 24VDC power system?
a. Yes, by running 2 of our 12VDC lights in SERIES the lights can be operated
on a 24VDC system. See this
wiring diagram (pdf) for more details:
q. Should I paint the underwater lights?
a. Performance will not be affected if you do not paint the lights. However
like any underwater fitting you may experience growth if the parts are not
coated with an appropriate anti-fouling paint. You MUST use aluminum-safe bottom
paint, and you should not use non-safe paints in close proximity to the SeaBlaze
lights.
q. What is the material of the underwater lights?
a. The housing is Marine Grade aluminum, with a Hardcoat finish tested to
3,000 hours in a 117 salt spray chamber. The majority of our lights are made
from this material.
q. What is the wattage?
a The wattage isn’t quoted but can be found by multiplying the current by the
operating voltage.
q. How far does the SeaBlaze3 shine underwater? SeaBlaze2?
a. Approximately 50 feet in clear water conditions
b. Approximately 25 feet in clear water conditions
q. How many hours will our lights burn?
a. Approximately 30,000 hours
LED Lighting Selection and Design
Q - What is the recommended spacing
and/or depth for underwater lights?
A - Many factors will govern the placement or your underwater lights,
including the location of a flat mounting surface, the ability to safely run
power to the location, and the location of engines, struts, trim tabs, etc.
which may obstruct the light output. Although Lumitec underwater lights can
be run above water, they perform best when completely submerged 8" to 16"
below the water. For inboard boats: generally speaking 1 light for every 2.5
to 5 feet of beam provides good results. For outboard and stern dive vessels,
good results are generally acheived by installing lights outboard of engines,
and between engines. For example, a twin engine vessel would use 3 lights, a
triple engine vessel would use 4 lights, etc.
Q - What are the modes of operation
for the SeaBlazeX products?
A - Dual Colored Lights:
- Mode 1: Cross-Fade - randomly cycles between blue and white
- Mode 2: 6 white emitters illuminated at full power
- Mode 3: 6 blue emitters illuminated at full power
- Mode 4: All 12 emitters illuminated at full power
- Mode 5: Strobe - random strobe pattern using blue and white separately
Single Colored Lights:
- Mode 1: All 12 emitters illuminated at full power
- Mode 2: Cross-Fade - dims and intensifies the light level intermittently
- Mode 3: Strobe - random strobe pattern
Q - What are the modes of operation
for the SeaBlaze 3 products?
A - Dual Colored Lights:
- Mode 1: 4 white emitters illuminated at full power
- Mode 2: 4 blue emitters illuminated at full power
- Mode 3: All 8 emitters illuminated at full power
Q - Can I run the SeaBlaze underwater
lights out of water?
A - Yes. All of our SeaBlaze lights incorporate a thermal foldback protection
mechanism which will ensure the sophisticated internal circuitry does not
overheat. Note however that the lights are designed for underwater operation.
In some instances the thermal foldback circuitry may reduce the power (heat)
of the device, therby reducing the light output. The light will return to full
intensity once it is again operated underwater
Q - Do I need to bond the SeaBlaze
lights?
A - Lumitec does not recommend bonding of the SeaBlaze underwater lights.
Q - What sealant is recommended for
the underwater lights?
A - A high quality sealant designed for below waterline applications is
recommended. 3M 4200 is one such sealant.
Q - What type of paint do I use if I
am going to paint my underwater lights? What is the process I should follow if
I am going to paint?
A - While painting your underwater lights is not necessary, there are a few
guidelines to follow if you choose to do so:
- Ensure that your existing bottom paint is compatible with the light's
housing (aluminum for SeaBlaze2, SeaBlaze3, SeaBlaze Mini and bronze for
SeaBlazeX);
- If the existing paint is NOT compatible, take measures to isolate the
bottom paint from the light to prevent electrolysis and corrosion.
Non-compatible paints should not be applied within 1" of the light housing.
- Do NOT sand the housing prior to applying paint. Sanding will strip the
protective finish from the surface and increase the likelihood of corrosion.
Q - Where can I see the difference
between the underwater lights?
A - Please visit www.underwaterlightcomparison.com for technical data and
side-by-side comparison photos of the SeaBlaze family of lights.
Installation & Maintenance
Q - Do the Lumitec lights come with
everything you need to install?
A - Mounting hardware is included with all Lumitec lights. Electrical
connections are unique to each installation and as such butt connectors, bus
bars, fuses, switches are not included.
Q - Is there a way to open up my
lights to do repairs or change components?
A - No, your Lumitec lights are sealed at the factory.
Q - What do I use to clean my lights?
A - Solvents, harsh chemicals, or abrasive/scouring pads should not be used
for cleaning. Mild soap and water is generally sufficient to remove grime and
salt spray. Underwater lights may be cleaned with a nylon brush and flexible
straightedge to remove growth on the lens surface and housing as necessary.
Light Color, Control & Dimming
Function (TTP)
Q - How do I change the output color
on multi-color lights?
A - Multi-color or multi-output lights may Lumitec's TTP technology. To
change the output color or output mode of a light, briefly toggle the light
OFF then immediately back ON. The light will cycle to the alternate or next
output color.
Q - How do I know that the color of my
lights will match?
A - Lumitec carefully selects LED's with tightly controlled color outputs to
ensure color consistency from product to product, and even from product family
to product family. The human eye can detect about 10 million different colors.
This means that even minor variations in output hue across a group of lights
can be detected, and may be unappealing in some situations. Lumitec carefully
selects "Bins" of LED's (batches of LED's that have been grouped together by
the manufacturer because they have extremely similar output) so that output
hue is consistent from light to light and product family to product family. In
many instances Lumitec's LED suppliers such as Cree and Phillips Lumileds will
design and maintain Bins exclusively to Lumitec's exacting specifications.
In 2012 Lumitec introduced "ColorMatch": a way to ensure that all of the
lights for a given application have the same output hue. The ColorMatch system
ensures that output hues (e.g. warm white, neutral white, blue, red, etc.) are
consistent between individual lights within a family, and between different
product families.
Q - What is color temperature, or
Corrected Color Temperature?
A - The output hue of white LED lights is often described in terms of "Color
Temperature" or "Corrected Color Temperature", expressed in units of Kelvin.
In short, CCT approximates the surface temperature of an "ideal" heated
light-emitting body- for example the tungsten filament of an incandescent
light bulb. Typical color temperatures for white LED's range from about 10,000
K, which is distinctly blue, to a natural daylight white at 5000 K, down to
the yellower color of a traditional incandescent light at about 2700.
Q- What is "TTP"?
A - TTP is Timed Toggle Protocol. It is a technology developed and refined by
Lumitec which enables sophisticated features like dimming and/or color change
with no external control boxes or specialized switches. The light is
installed like any 12 or 24VDC light: using a positive and negative power wire
controlled by any standard ON/OFF switch.
Q - How do I Dim TTP-Equipped Lumitec
lights?
Lumitec Lights with dimming functionality ramp up in intensity over a period
of about 4 seconds when initially turned on. A brief "Off/On" toggle of the
switch during the ramp phase will interrupt the ramp and hold the light at
that intensity
Q - How do I change colors or change
output modes of TTP-Equipped Lumitec lights?
A - Multi-color or multi-output lights may Lumitec's TTP technology. To
change the output color or output mode of a light, briefly toggle the light
OFF then immediately back ON. The light will cycle to the alternate or next
output color.
Power & Electrical Systems
Q - Do I need a DC transformer as the
power of the original Halogen lights I am replacing is 110v 60hz?
A - Yes, you will need a power source of 12 to 24 VDC
Q - How do I know the correct wire
diameter, switch and fuse to use?
A - Electrical components should always be installed by a knowledgeable and
qualified individual. Wire gauge and fusing requirements are based on circuit
load and configuration and therefore will vary by installation. In all
instances the wire gauge should be large enough to accommodate the total
circuit load, and fusing should prevent overcurrent events on the circuit.
Lumitec lights do not require additional components such as dimmers and
proprietary switches. Complete installation instructions for each product are
included in each package.
Q - Some of your lights are rated for
12VDC, but my boat only has 24VDC where I want to install the lights. Is there
any way to use your 12VDC on a vessel’s 24VDC power system?
A - Yes, by running 2 of our 12VDC lights in SERIES the lights can be operated
on a 24VDC system.
