Mobile light towers can help you illuminate any area. Many of them have customization options like reducing or increasing the illumination level and also adjusting the height of the tower. That is why; you can customize the portable towers. However, most of them are compatible with generators. When you use them consistently, you will realize that this combo can also pose specific problems which you need to know.
Today, we will share with you six problems which you might encounter while powering mobile light tower using the generator. We will also share with you the probable solutions which you can use for the same. It will allow you to use the portable generator and the light tower combo efficiently.
1. Weight & mobility of the generator
When using the mobile light tower along with the generator, you will have to transport both of them to the site. While the mobile tower is comparatively easy to move but the same is not right about the generator. Many portable generators come with wheels, but they are not designed to handle any terrain. If you take them to the countryside or on a dead-end which is uneven, you will face plenty of problems while moving it.
The weight of the generator is generally between 30 lbs to 80 lbs. That is why; it is not that easy to move it around either. In many applications, you might have to change the position of the mobile tower on a day-to-day basis. The problem in doing so is that it is not easy to pull around the generator time and again. Thus, the primary issue which you will face while using this combo is the weight and mobility of the whole structure.
How to fix
The best solution is to choose the generator carefully. It should have heavy-duty wheels, and also the center of mass should be on the lower side. It will allow you to move it around effortlessly.
2. Foul smell
The generators which you use along with the light tower are powered by gas or diesel. While there are electric generators as well but the battery capacity is on the lower side. That is why; they are not that suitable for movable light towers. One of the common problems which you will face is that they exhaust a significant quantity of smoke. It can produce a foul smell. If you place the high mast light tower on the edge of the field or the perimeter or the area which you want to illuminate, the foul odor can quickly engulf the surroundings. It will not create a pleasant ambiance.
How to fix
The best solution is to use the fuel which produces less smoke. Additionally, you can use exhaust pipe which is at least 10 feet long make sure that the foul smell and the smoke gets dispersed at a distance. It will help you illuminate the area with the help of mobile light tower without having to worry about foul odor or smoke.
3. Refueling problem
A conventional gas generator has a tank capacity between 3 gallons to 6 gallons. Once the fuel is low, you will have to turn off the machine and refill it. Refueling the generator is a regular chore which will hamper the functioning of the tower. If you are using the mobile light towers as portable field lights for illuminating the ground for matches or tournaments, refueling can be difficult.
How to fix
The best solution is to choose a generator which has a tank capacity of over 8 gallons. It will provide you with a runtime of more than 10 hours. It means that there will be no disruption in the lighting during the entire event.
4. Lighting fixture lifespan
The illumination level of the portable field lighting tower depends on the type of bulbs or the illumination sources in the tower. These can be halide light bulbs, halogen or LED flood lights. Each of them has a life duration. If the light source stops working, you will have to replace it. You have to look at the lifespan of the light sources before opting for the light tower. If you plan on using it consistently, you have to take into account the lighting lifespan.
The old options like halide light bulbs or halogen bulbs have a limited lifespan of up to 10,000 hours. While this figure might seem huge but when you look at the consistent use of the mobile light tower, it can run out within a few years. You do not want it to turn off in between a match, do you? That is why; taking into account the lighting lifespan is the best way to avoid any problems.
Apart from this, it is also important to understand that the generator powering the portable field light tower might have a voltage peak at the start which might damage the illumination sources. The damage will again impact the illumination levels and therefore render it useless for your desired application. There are however solutions to both of these problems.
Solution
The perfect solution to deal with both of these problems is to use a mobile light tower consisting of LED flood lights. LEDs have a lifespan of 50,000 hours. Moreover, most of the LED light elements have overcurrent protection which means that the probability of any damage to the LEDs is close to none. It will ensure that you can use the mobile light towers with the generators without any disruption.
5. Maintenance cost
Mobile light towers and the generator are portable equipment. Portable equipment requires a significant amount of maintenance. You have to factor in the maintenance cost when planning on using this combo. Without regular upkeep, they will not be reliable. You will not be able to use them as the primary source of light for outdoor events. If you’re not careful enough, the maintenance cost can be on the higher side. However, there is a solution available.
Solution
We will share with you a few steps which will allow you to reduce the maintenance cost when using the mobile light tower and the generator combo. These include:
- Prefer diesel over gas generators
- Use LED light sources and mobile light towers
- Cover the equipment while transporting
- Monitor the equipment regularly
- Allow it to cool down after each use before covering it up
While these tips might seem simple enough but following this checklist will ensure that the maintenance is on the lower side and the combo works seamlessly.
6. Generator Breakdowns
In spite of our best efforts, sometimes breakdowns can occur. Generator breakdowns are not uncommon if you’re not careful enough. Not only that, it can often impact the mobile light tower as well. When both the pieces of equipment stop working due to one reason or the other, it might take a long time to fix them. The breaks down due to a lot of different purposes like:
- Voltage fluctuation
- Overheating
- Short circuit
- Cold weather
Apart from cold weather, all of the other causes can impact the mobile light tower as well. It can be a double whammy when relying on this combo to illuminate any area constantly. Instead of worrying about this problem, there is a solution which you can use.
Solution
These days, there are plenty of generators which come along with such safety features. They have voltage fluctuation protection, over-heating protection, and even short circuit protection. The design of the generators is such that they can run in any weather. Similarly, you have to choose the portable tower which also has such protection features to ensure constant operation.
Conclusion
These are the problems which you might encounter. However, with the solutions above you can easily be prepared to tackle these problems in advance. Once you address these problems, the combo of light tower and portable generator can help you illuminate any area efficiently.