Power & Electrical Systems
A - Yes, you will need a power source of 12 to 24 VDC
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.
A - Yes, by running 2 of our 12VDC lights in SERIES the lights can be operated on a 24VDC system.
A - Some Noise is common on any switching type of power supply due to the nature of the power conversion. As long as there is switching of this type, there will be noise generated. Each of our lights has a switching power supply in it, as is the case with many electronics today.
Proposed Solutions:
First; separate the power wire running to the lights from any other wiring on vessel. When the power lines touch (are in same conduit, zip tied together, bundled) it can cause transference that is causing the speaker noise. Run across/perpendicular to bundles. 9 out of 10 times this eliminates the noise.
Secondly; you may install a relay between the lights and the shortest distance to the power supply, then connect your switch to the relay. Separate all power wires to the lights from any other wiring on the vessel. The Relay should be rated for approximately 20% more than the total amp draw of the lights being installed. The circuit should be fused properly based on approximately 20% more than the total amp draw of the lights (in-line, fused bus bar, fused circuit breaker are all acceptable depending on you installation).
Lastly, or in addition to the above; try putting a 4700 µF Electrolytic Capacitor across the positive and negative power terminal at the back of the amplifier (or radio). As long as you get one that is 35V or higher, and over 4700 µF, it ought to do the trick. The capacitor has a polarity marking (stripe with - symbol goes to the negative terminal) so be sure not to connect it backwards.
A - Potential Reasons that there may be Noise from the Stereo Speakers.
- PWM low frequency hum coupling to the speaker wires.
Proposed Solutions to item 1:
- Ensure that speaker cables are not run next to the power wires. Speaker wire runs should be kept as far away from any power wire runs to the lights or any product which may be using PWM control.
- Use shielded wires or twisted pair wires for the speakers.
- If they are run adjacent and cross power wires, they should be perpendicular and not parallel.
- Typically if noise is coupling to the speaker wires, the level will not be increased as the volume is increased. This will help distinguish if noise is coming from the speaker wires or from power wires for the amplifier.
- PWM low frequency hum coupling to power wires for the amplifier.
- Ringing or buzz coupling to the power wires for the amplifier.
Proposed Solutions to items 2 and 3:
- At a minimum we recommend running power for our lights directly to the battery via appropriately sized wire and fuse and or breaker, rather than a bus that is shared with the stereo amplifier power. Both Positive and Negative wires should be direct runs. This will minimize any effects of any low frequency hum coupling to and from other pieces of equipment. This is a very effective means of preventing equipment sharing the same bus from coupling and should be standard practice.
- We also recommend, if possible that the same is done for the power wires for the amplifier. Both positive and negative connected directly to the battery. This will ensure that the amplifier is as isolated as possible from other pieces of equipment that may present a low level hum as well. Power wires should not run parallel to that of the lights, or if that cannot be avoided they should be separated as far as possible and cross perpendicular if needed.
- The key is to avoid an intermediate bus that is shared with your amplifier and other pieces of equipment that have switching supplies, as that is an area prone to coupling any low level hum from various types of equipment. Once the wiring is correct. Adding a 35V/4700 microfarad capacitor across the positive and negative power terminals at the back of the amplifier, or as close to the amplifier as possible. This should minimize any additional low frequency hum noise that may be picked up from other equipment.
Light Color, Control & Dimming Function (TTP)
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.
A - RGBW LED Technology refers to the use of red, green, blue and white LED emitters in a single light. The various combinations of these LED will create nearly every possible color output option in the color spectrum.
How is Spectrum Color Controlled?
Spectrum Color is controlled with the use of Lumitec’s proprietary TTP, Timed Toggle Protocol technology. TTP is the use of brief “off/on” toggles of the light’s power switch to dim the light, select color output or cycle through the light modes.
Underwater Lights:
The light will start in white and then cycle through the complete color spectrum fading from one color into another, over a period of 15 seconds. After the initial 15 second cycle the light will continuously cycle through all the colors every 3 minutes.
Once the light is turned on, or at any point in the color cycle mode, it can be locked on a color by a brief off/on toggle of the switch at the desired color.
To reset the light, turn the light off for 3 seconds and the light will reset to the beginning of the cycle. Once a color is locked in, you may also toggle the power switch to restart the color cycle.
Down Lights & Utility Lights:
The light will turn on in white and ramp up to full intensity over a 4 second period. The light will remain on white until the color cycle mode is selected. You may dim the white color by toggling the switch as the light ramps up. Interrupting the ramp up period, sets the light at a lower level.
Once the white light is on, toggle once to enter the color cycle mode. A 15 second color cycle is followed by a continuous 3-minute color cycle for more precise control. The color cycle will always start with red for easy access to the night vison mode.
To select a color, as it appears toggle the switch once and the light will lock to the selected color. To dim the color, select the desired color with a toggle of the switch. Then immediately toggle again to set the color intensity. Interrupting the ramp up period, sets the light at a lower level.
To reset the light, turn the light off for 3 seconds and it will reset in the white mode.
Night vision and color cycle mode can be entered directly from an off position.
- For the color cycle mode, toggle the switch three times to start the cycle.
- For night vision mode, toggle the switch four times to set the light on red.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
A - Lumitec does not recommend bonding of the SeaBlaze underwater lights.
A - A high quality sealant designed for below waterline applications is recommended. 3M 4200 is one such sealant.
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.
A - Click HERE for technical data and side-by-side comparison photos of the SeaBlaze family of lights.
Installation & Maintenance
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.
A - No, your Lumitec lights are sealed at the factory.
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.
Warranty & Product Replacement
A - All requests for repair, service, or warranty repair must be initiated through our online service request form.
A - Yes, your lights may be sent to Lumitec for a free assessment. We will provide you with a quote for repair. Shipping and repair costs are the sole responsibility of the customer. All requests for service or repair should be submitted through our online service request form, found here.
For more in-dept information on troubleshooting and installation of Lumitec products review the additional sections in our Support Center located on our home page.
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