R820 Pedestrian Beacon
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Bollards
This section is dedicated to answering any questions you may have regarding the products and services of our company.
Select from the following topics for answers to frequently asked questions.
- Technology
- Installation
- Operation
- Maintenance
- Service
Technology
Q. What flash patterns does Carmanah offer for its marine lights?
The type of flash patterns available depends on the model of Carmanah Light. For example, the Models 201 and 501 are currently available from the factory in the seven most common flash patterns for general purpose uses, including "steady on". The Models 601, 701 & 702 are available in practically any flash pattern possible, including the over 200 IALA standard flash codes used around the world today.
Q. Can I change the flash rate?
For the Models 201 and 501, the flash rates are set from the factory. For the Models 601, 701 and 702, the flash code can be changed at any time using an optional infrared programmer.
Q. What colors are available for Carmanah Lights?
The Models 501, 601, 701 & 702 are available in red, green, amber, white and blue. The Model 201 is available in amber, red, white and blue.
Q. What is the life expectancy of Carmanah Lights?
The expected life span of Carmanah's encapsulated units (Models 201, 501 and 601) is dependent on the life of their battery system, which in turn is dependant on the area of installation and operating conditions. However, these units have been designed to last for five years with no maintenance costs.
The batteries in the Models 701 & 702 are replaceable and, ideally, these units should last for decades. It is interesting to note that the LEDs used in all Carmanah Lights should last for up to 100,000 hours -- or 27 years of continuous operation at 10 hours per day -- as long as the units remain intact. For more information about the battery storage system or LEDs used in Carmanah Lights, visit the Our Technology section of this web site.
Q. What is Carmanah's warranty?
All Carmanah Lights come with a 3-year warranty. Visit Product Warranty for more details. Also check out Carmanah's 30-day risk-free evaluation program.
Q. What is the intensity of light emitted from Carmanah marine lights?
The Models 501 and 601 are designed to have consistent autonomy and not consistent intensity, therefore the peak intensity differs with the flash pattern used. For example, as it requires more power for fixed (steady on) output than for flashing output, the visibility of a steady Model 601 is up to one nautical mile, whereas the same unit at 15 flashes per minute is visible for up to two nautical miles. Both units have the same autonomy of operating time -- approximately 200 hours of operation without recharging the battery -- but have differing peak intensities.
Q. What are the dimensions of Carmanah Lights?
Dimension diagrams are available on this web site from the product page for each model of Carmanah Light. Visit the online Product Catalog and select the corresponding light for more details.
Q. Are the batteries in Carmanah Lights replaceable?
At this time, the batteries are replaceable only for the Models 701 & 702. All other models have been designed to operate for up to five years with absolutely no maintenance or servicing required. At the end of their lifespan the entire unit is replaced. Please note, the batteries in the old units are recycleable. Contact your local recycler regarding proper disposal.
Q. What is the maximum visibility range of the marine lights?
The maximum visibility depends on the model:
* Model 201: Up to 1 Nautical Mile
* Model 501: Up to 1 Nautical Mile
* Model 601: Up to 2 Nautical Miles
* Model 701 & 702: Up to 3 Nautical Miles
The actual range for each unit is dependent on the flash character required. Contact Carmanah with your specific flash type and we can provide you with the corresponding distance of visibility.
Q. What sort of batteries are used in Carmanah Lights?
All Carmanah Lights use special lead acid batteries that perform extremely well under harsh environmental conditions. Specifically, they are sealed, rechargeable batteries that provide a large energy capacity for their size and deliver extremely reliable power output over a long period of time. For more information, visit Power Source in the Our Technology section of this web site.
Q. How do LEDs compare to a normal incandescent light bulb?
Carmanah Lights use LEDs (light emitting diodes) for their light source, which are far more efficient in their power consumption than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent lamps expend much of their energy in the form heat dissipation (85%), whereas LEDs waste relatively little energy as heat. For more information, review Light Source in the Our Technology section of this web site.
Installation
Q. Why don't Carmanah Lights have a bird spike?
To improve their ability to collect solar energy during periods of low-lying light, Carmanah Model 501 and 601 lights feature a patented "potted" domed solar panel component. The domed shape, combined with the product's non-porous polymer construction, has the secondary benefit of being self-cleaning -- dirt and bird droppings simply "slide" off or easily wash off when the lights get wet. Therefore, a bird spike is not necessary.
Q. My Model 501 doesn't have a switch. How do I activate it once I've received it?
The Model 501 is available with or without a rotary deactivation switch. Units ordered without the deactivation switch have a temporary magnetic "switch" in their base designed to prevent the units battery from being discharged or damaged during storage or transport. The switch is very simple and consists of a powerful external magnet (about the size of a typical watch battery) that fits in depression in the base the product. To activate the Model 501 prior to mounting, simply remove the magnet by placing the unit's base against any magnetic surface (iron, steel, etc.).
The magnet is used to protect the battery during storing and shipping only. It MUST be removed from the bottom of the Model 501 for the unit to work! Once removed, the magnet is only needed again if and when the light is to be stored. It is recommended that the magnet be kept in a safe place for such an occasion.
Q. How do I install my Carmanah Light?
All models of Carmanah Lights have been specially designed for ease of installation. The Models 201, 501, 601, 701 & 702 are equipped with either a flange base featuring two or three holes for screws (one-way screws are recommended for vandal and theft resistance) or bolts, or two stainless steel posts (in the case of the 201) for mounting against a pole or a sign, etc.
To mount, simply screw or bolt the unit to any surface. It is important to note that all Carmanah Lights are completely self-contained. There is no external power source required, no external wiring, no trenching, etc. Once you have mounted a Carmanah Light you are finished the installation process! Carmanah Lights will then work flawlessly for up to 5 years with no maintenance or servicing. Imagine the savings in maintenance costs alone...
Q. What is Carmanah's warranty?
All Carmanah Lights come with a 3-year warranty. Visit Product Warranty for more details. Also check out Carmanah's 30-day risk-free evaluation program.
Q. My Carmanah Light worked just fine for a few days after installation and now it doesn't turn on at dusk. Could it be defective?
The Carmanah Light is not necessarily defective. There are a couple of factors to consider:
- Does your area receive a minimum of 1.5 hours of daily sunlight every day, including during the winter months?
- Have seasonal changes (the sun being lower in the horizon) caused your Carmanah Light to become shaded by trees, mountains or buildings during daylight hours so that it receives less than the minimum 1.5 hours of sunlight per day?
In both cases, the lack of sufficient solar conditions could have caused your Carmanah Light to discharge its power storage buffer. To prevent further deep discharging, the unit may have switched into low power disconnect mode. We suggest removing your light from its current installation and placing it in an area you are sure receives adequate sunlight for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the level of charging required to reactivate the light. Your Carmanah Light should function properly upon partial charging. If the unit does begin to work properly, you now have to find a better location to install it. If your unit does not begin to work properly, you have two options:
- You must locate a more sutiable installation location.
- If your unit is a Model 601, 701, or 702, you can have the intensity of the product adjusted by an Authorized Carmanah Representative to better suit your installation location. With the intensity decreased, the autonomy (and performance reliability) or the unit will increase.
If your unit does not begin to work properly and it is still covered under Carmanah's Product Warranty, please see Product Returns for instruction on how to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number from Carmanah so you can return the product for exchange or refund.
Q. I've installed my Carmanah Light as per the instructions but it doesn't turn on at dusk. What could the problem be?
If the unit is a Model 501 without a rotary deactivation switch, there is still a temporary magnetic switch on the base that will interrupt standard operation of the unit; this switch is to prevent the product from draining its battery during storage or transport. For normal operation, remove the magnet from the unit's base by placing the base against any magnetic surface (iron, steel, etc.).
Models 201, 601, 701 & 702 feature built-in intelligence that enables them to recognize sunlight and automatically turn on approximately 60 seconds after removal from their shipment box. If any of these units do not automatically begin to operate, please contact Carmanah for further assistance.
Operation
Q. What is the recommended operating temperature for Carmanah Lights?
The operating temperature range of the lead-acid batteries used in Carmanah Lights limits the operating temperature range of the products. As the ambient temperature increases, the expected life of the battery, and hence the light (other than the Model 701 & 702, which has the ability to replace the batteries), may decrease.
Optimum battery life will be achieved by mounting the unit on the coolest available surface. Carmanah Lights have been used in temperatures ranging from -40° C (-40° F) to +80° C (176° F). Heat sinking or attaching your unit to metal that extends to a water source, will moderate the ambient temperature of the unit and extend its life. As well, where possible, resist mounting the lights on high-heat surfaces such as black roofs or tarmac, as these surfaces will degrade the life of the unit over time.
Q. How do Carmanah Lights recharge?
Once the lead-acid batteries in Carmanah Lights are discharged, they prefer to be "fast charged" to restore their capacity to full power. The proprietary circuitry in Carmanah Lights is designed to restore a full charge as quickly as possible. The result of this charging regimen is that the unit will shut off at a particular level of battery charge and will not resume operation until there is a significant recharging of the battery.
Q. How do you turn Carmanah Lights on/off?
Model 501s are available with a magnetic rotary switch or a temporary magnetic switch on the base for storage and transport. The magnetic rotary switch can be used in the field to activate and deactivate the light. The temporary switch is to prevent the non-rotary switch versions of the product from draining their batteries during storage or transport. For normal operation to begin, simply remove the magnet from a unit's base by placing the base against any magnetic surface (iron, steel, etc.). Once removed, the magnet is only needed again if and when the unit is returned to storage. It is recommended that the magnet be kept in a safe place for such an occasion.
Models 201, 601, 701 & 702 feature built-in intelligence that enables them to recognize sunlight and automatically turn on approximately 60 seconds after removal from their shipment box. They will also automatically turn off if they are in darkness more than 24 hours (they will assume they are back in storage).
Q. How should I choose a location for my Carmanah Light?
Two factors must be kept in mind when considering a location for the Carmanah Light: adequate sunlight and ambient temperature. Please see the installation and operating instructions for each Model for more information.
Maintenance
Q. Should I worry about cleaning the lens to improve visibility?
Carmanah Lights are designed for maintenance-free performance. The unique structure of the Carmanah Lights typically relieves you from any cleaning duty. These lights are operating in a variety of climates worldwide without the need to clean the lens.
Q. I want to ensure that my Carmanah Light receives maximum sunlight. How should I care for the solar dome?
Carmanah Lights were designed for use in rugged, remote areas where the need for self-cleaning products is paramount. The patented solar dome is typically self-cleaning and ensures that your light will receive maximum sunlight and therefore, enhanced product reliability throughout its lifespan.
Q. Do the LEDs burns out?
The lifetime of an LED (light emitting diode) is about 100,000 hours -- or 27 years assuming the LED is in operation continuously for 10 hours a day. Carmanah Lights use an array of LEDs as their light source, and they are designed to last up to five years with zero maintenance or servicing. The LEDs should last for the duration of the lifespan of the products.
Q. How do I replace the battery in Carmanah Lights?
Models 201, 501 & 601 are designed to last five years without battery replacement. Once your unit ceases to operate it is time to install a new one. There are no battery changes, bulb changes or other servicing/maintenance requirements to worry about.
Models 701 & 702 are larger units with more expensive housings; therefore, it is more cost-effective to make the batteries replaceable. Replacing the batteries can be performed in minutes:
- Remove the light assembly head from the unit by unscrewing the four bolts from each corner of the housing;
- Inside the housing, the battery compartment has two removable leads that attach to the battery pack -- disconnect these leads from the old battery pack;
- Remove the old battery pack and install the new one;
- Replace the head and the unit is ready to operate for up to another five years!
Service
Q. Do I ever need to change the batteries in my Carmanah Light?
Other than the Models 701 & 702, all Carmanah Lights are completely sealed and are designed to be completely reliable and maintenance-free for the duration of their lifespan. They never require bulb or battery replacement for up to five years, at which time the entire light is replaceable. The maintenance-free capabilities of Carmanah Lights provides a distinct advantage over traditional marine lighting, particularly in countries that must import the light bulbs and batteries, as well as the lights. It also means there is a significant cost savings in terms of the labor required for maintaining and servicing traditional navigation lighting.
Due to the size and relative cost of the Model 701 & 702 Carmanah Lights, these models feature a replaceable battery pack that extends their life indefinitely.
Q. What is the warranty period for Carmanah Lights?
All Carmanah Lights are backed by a minimum 1 year to 3 year warranty. Please check with Orion Solar for further details.
Q. What if I am not entirely satisfied with my Carmanah Light?
Carmanah Lights are truly the world's most advanced solar-powered LED lighting for navigation and safety. They are manufactured to strict quality standards and they will operate reliably and flawlessly for the duration of their lifespan. However, if for any reason you decide that you are not satisfied with the quality and performance of your Carmanah Light(s), you are encouraged to return the units within 30 days to receive your money back (including taxes). Please see our 30-day risk-free evaluation program and Product Warranty for more details.
Q. Product Returns
Carmanah products are covered by a minimum 1-year warranty. Contact your Carmanah representive for details.
A Return Materials Authorization number (RMA number) must be obtained from CTC Customer Service prior to returning any CTC Products and must be displayed on the shipment as well as accompanying paperwork. IN AUSTRALIA CONTACT ORION SOLAR DIRECT TO ORGANISE.