Truck-Lite improves Gas Discharge Strobe
Truck-Lite’s new gas discharge emergency warning strobe lamp (photo courtesy Truck-Lite)
The Trucker News Services
9/19/2008
FALCONER, N.Y. — Truck-Lite’s new gas discharge emergency warning strobe lamp is an improvement over traditional gas discharge lamps in many ways. The attractively priced unit uses an inexpensive, cylindrical flash tube. All optics are internal, leaving a smooth, more aerodynamic surface that’s easier to clean and maintain.
External parts are designed for durability and easy maintenance. Bases are powder coated for long life and corrosion resistance. All circuitry is encapsulated for durability. Threaded domes screw on and off for rapid flash tube replacement. Unlike older helical flash tubes, the new cylindrical design works with Truck-Lite’s advanced optics to concentrate light within the critical zone (five degrees above and below horizontal) for greatest effect.
“Our engineering and marketing teams did a thorough study of emergency lighting to determine areas for improvement,” said Brad Van Riper, VP Research and Development. “They discovered unmet needs in maintenance and durability. The new gas discharge strobe lamps complement our recently introduced LED emergency lamps in meeting user needs. These lamps are rugged enough for use on vehicles from fire apparatus to trash compactors while offering better operating economics to utility and municipal fleets.”
Truck-Lite emergency strobe lamps, both LED and gas discharge, feature a branch guard option, as the guard is common to all new Truck-Lite emergency strobe lamps. All Truck-Lite strobe lamps can mount flat, threaded on a pipe or with a magnetic base.
The lamp is designed to operate from 10V to 30V, making it suitable for operation with both 12-volt and 24-volt vehicles. It is photometrically compliant at 12.8 volts, meeting SAEJ1318 requirements. All models have a 1-year warranty on the light.
Parts rooms and distributors will appreciate the commonality of parts that simplifies inventory management and reduces investment.
Initially, the Truck-Lite gas discharge strobe will be available in amber and soon to follow, interchangeable, screw-on domes in red, blue and clear will be released. The strobe meets or exceeds all requirements of SAE J1318 for Class 1 dual and quad function warning lamps and operates in a wide range of cold and warm temperatures.
Truck-Lite Co., Inc. is headquartered in Falconer New York, with additional manufacturing facilities in Wellsboro, Coudersport, and McElhattan, Pa., as well as Birmingham and Harlow England, Germany, Poland, Mexico, and Belarus.
Truck-Lite is a major producer of signal lighting, forward lighting, wiring harnesses, mirrors, turn signal switches, and safety accessories to the heavy-duty truck, trailer, and commercial vehicle industries.