How to Choose the Right Light Tower for Your Job Site
Light towers illuminate job sites and enhance visibility, safety, and productivity during nighttime or low-light conditions. Different seasons bring unique visibility challenges, from varying lengths of night to dense fog, smoke, or heavy overcast. Regardless of location or the season, light towers provide reliable illumination to complete the job.
Various light tower options are available on the market. Selecting the right one requires understanding the key questions to ask and features to consider. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on choosing the perfect light tower for your job site requirements.
Assess Your Lighting Needs
Before choosing a light tower for your project, it is essential to assess your lighting requirements. Consider the size of the job site, the level of brightness needed, and any specific lighting regulations or standards that must be met. Other essential factors include fuel capacity and type, lamp type, tower size, and environmental conditions.
Understand Different Light Tower Types
Light towers come in various types, including diesel, solar, and electric-powered models. Each type has its advantages and limitations.
Diesel-Powered Light Towers
Diesel-powered light towers provide high illumination output and long run times, making them ideal for remote job sites with limited access to power sources.
Solar-Powered Light Towers
Solar-powered light towers are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. They harness solar energy to illuminate the site, eliminating the need for fuel.
Electric-Powered Light Towers
Electric-powered light towers are suitable for indoor use or job sites with access to electrical outlets. They offer quiet operation and produce zero emissions.
Solar-Hybrid Light Towers
Due to their high fuel efficiency, solar-hybrid light towers are ideal for round-the-clock projects in remote locations. They operate on solar power during daylight hours and switch to electric power at night.
Consider Portability and Mobility
Portability is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a light tower. Depending on the nature of your job site and mobility requirements, you need to determine whether a stationary or portable unit is more suitable. Portable light towers often come with features such as towable trailers or telescopic masts, enabling easy transportation and setup. This allows you to deploy lighting where it is needed most quickly.
Evaluate Lighting Features
It’s essential to consider the lighting features of different light tower models. Does it have an adjustable mast height? What is the light coverage area? What type of light fixture does it use? LED lights are popular for their energy efficiency, durability, and long lifespan. Additionally, look for features such as remote-control operation, automatic light sensors, and tilt or rotation capabilities for versatile lighting options.
Factor in Maintenance and Durability
Maintenance requirements and durability are essential considerations when selecting a light tower. For industrial purposes, choosing a model built to withstand harsh weather conditions, rugged terrain, and heavy-duty use is crucial. Look for light towers with corrosion-resistant materials, robust construction, low fuel consumption, and easy-access maintenance points. These features help minimize downtime and prolong the lifespan of your equipment.
An important consideration is that diesel/gas powered light towers require significantly more personnel hours than solar light towers due to the frequent refueling requirements.
Budget Considerations
Considering your budget is crucial when selecting a light tower. While opting for the lowest-cost option may be tempting, prioritizing quality, reliability, and long-term value over upfront costs can ultimately save you time and expenses throughout your project. It’s important to evaluate the total cost of ownership, which includes the initial purchase price, fuel or energy costs, maintenance expenses, and potential savings from energy-efficient features.
Reliable Oilfield Equipment and Light Towers in Western Canada
By carefully assessing your illumination needs, considering portability and mobility, prioritizing maintenance and durability, and factoring in budget considerations, you can confidently choose the right light tower for your job site requirements.
At Cahill Heating Rentals, we offer three different models of our solar-hybrid light tower. Renowned for their low fuel consumption, minimal noise emission, reduced engine maintenance, and 80% lower operational costs, they’re the ideal choice for oil and gas projects in Western Canada. Illuminate your work zone with the perfect lighting solution and enhance safety, productivity, and efficiency on your next project.
