Shedding Light on Renting A Portable Light Tower Adapted from Information by United Rentals For lighting up a nighttime jobsite, a portable light tower may be the answer. These towers feature a mast which is often telescopic and holds several powerful lamps with a connection to some type of fuel source. Some may even be mounted on a trailer so they can be easily moved onto and around a site. Seems convenient, but creating the lighting needed is a matter of choosing the right size, style, and number of portable light towers. When making the choice, there are a few important things to consider: ,Figure out how much coverage and brightness you need. Calculate the acreage you need to light and ask how many acres the light tower illuminates. Some can light up to seven or even ten acres. Consider the level of brightness (lumens) you need. This may vary according to the type of work being performed. ,Consider height and rotation. Check how high the mast can be extended and how easy it is to extend because winches may be manual or electric. Some masts extend as high as almost 30 feet. If the light tower needs to fit through a door, make sure it’s small enough in both height and width. Because high winds can topple a tower and cause damage to people and property, make sure the tower you choose has some kind of stabilization system, one that will keep the tower steady in winds up to 65 miles per hour. For maximum flexibility, make sure the mast can be easily rotated and the lights can be tilted so illumination is exactly where you need it. ,Choose between halide or LED. Many portable light towers feature metal halide lights. These bright, warm lights can provide a great deal of illumination. However, they take some time to warm up before they reach their maximum output, and they don’t turn off immediately. They must cool down first. High-intensity, bright white LED lamps are a newer option.They are low-voltage and require less energy than metal halide lights, but don’t provide quite as much illumination.You will need more lights to achieve the same level of lighting. LED lights are also more expensive than metal halides. An advantage is LED lights are instant-on and turn off right away, as well as lasting longer than metal halide lights. ,Weigh the power choices. Power options include diesel fuel, a generator, solarcharged batteries and, of course, a power outlet. If noise matters, keep in mind solar and electric light towers are silent. Light towers running on diesel fuel contain their own tanks, and a larger tank will mean longer uninterrupted running time. Make sure the light tower includes a fluid containment system to reduce the chance of spills. If you choose a generator, you’ll need to figure how much power it will draw at startup and size the generator accordingly. ,Towable or not? Consider how you will transport the light tower to your site. Some sit on a trailer for highway transport or even rugged off-road transport. Ultimately, when choosing a light tower, consider the adequacy of the illumination, the ease of setup and use, the noise and emissions levels, the efficiency of refueling, and the safety of people and property. If you’re not sure what lighting equipment is best for your application, consult an expert. Photo courtesy of Roman Iakoubtchik from New York, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. C&G 32 JULY 2021 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Atlantis Vault • Self-Contained • Simple installation • Trouble-free operation For more information call: (270) 786-3010 or visit us online: www.geothermalsupply.com
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