Frequently Asked Questions

Carmanah Aviation lights conform to ICAO Annex 14 lighting standards for taxiway edge, runway edge and obstruction lighting Type A & Type B standards. Third party test results can be provided upon request.

Carmanah's aviation lights are acceptable for barricade and construction use at Commercial Airports under FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/53702D. For additional information with respect to Carmanah’s ongoing test program under FAA regulations, please contact Carmanah directly.

Carmanah aviation lights currently support international operations carried out by the US Air Force, US ARMY, US Marine Corps, NATO Forces, Coalition Forces, Humanitarian Aid Operations, commercial airports, general aviation airports and general obstruction lighting applications. Carmanah is the only approved solar-powered LED provider for the US Air Force, US Army, US Marine Corps, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard and the US Navy.

Yes. The Carmanah aviation light will function in the snow. In fact, the solar panel will emit a small amount of heat through the polymer encapsulation allowing for the melting or break down of snow and frost. For heavy snowfalls, the panel should be cleared at least every 2-3 days. This will allow for the needed 1.5 hours of solar charging per day for optimum performance.

If the snow is not cleared from the panel, the light will still operate using our patented MICROSOURCE™ Automatic Light Control. After a period of time, the light will automatically step down in intensity to allow for increased autonomy during poor charging conditions (in this case, because there is snow on the panel). As a general rule, it is important to keep the panel as clean as possible during very heavy snowfalls for optimum charging conditions. Carmanah aviation lights are designed to operate in virtually all locations worldwide independent of temperature and environmental conditions.

The patented Carmanah solar powered dome does not allow for snow and frost to accumulate over time on its polymer dome. In heavy snowfall conditions, it may be necessary to brush off the snow to allow for optimal charging conditions. However, in the majority of cases, frost and snow will eventually slide off the panel or melt away due to the heat produced from the solar panel. For more information, see Technology: Solar Power Systems.

Carmanah aviation lights can be ordered with colored lenses in the A601 and A702.

It is very important to place a washer between the base of the light and the aluminum plate so a space of 3/8" is created between the two surfaces. This allows for the light to breathe through the one way valve on the bottom of the light. in cold and humid conditions.

The expected life span of Carmanah's aviation lights primarily depends on the life of the lead-acid batteries used by each unit - which in turn depends on the area of installation and operating conditions. However, all Carmanah lights are designed to last for up to five years with no maintenance or servicing costs at virtually every location in the world.

Due to the unique sealed design of Carmanah aviation lights, the batteries are not replaceable in the A601 units. The A702 series battery pack can be replaced after its 5 year lifespan. All Carmanah products are designed to operate for up to five years with absolutely no maintenance or servicing required. At the end of their lifespan, the products can be returned for recycling at Carmanah Technologies.

All Carmanah aviation lights use a special type of absorbed electrolyte lead acid gel battery pack that performs extremely well under harsh environmental conditions (See Technology: Power Storage). Specifically, they are sealed, rechargeable batteries that provide a large energy capacity for their size and deliver extremely reliable power over a long period of time and a wide range of temperatures.

Carmanah aviation lights use LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for their light source, which are far more efficient in power consumption than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs expend much of their energy in the form of heat dissipation (85%), whereas LEDs waste relatively little energy as heat. LEDs are also vibration-proof, shock-proof, and designed to last for up to 100,000 hours (27 years). For more information, review Our Technology: Light Emitting Diodes.

Yes. Carmanah Aviation lights are NVG compatible for national defence airfield operations according to in field feedback from USAF, US ARMY & US Marine Corps pilots. Due to the minimal amount of heat emitted from the LEDs along with a narrow bandwidth of monochromatic color, Carmanah solar LED aviation lights provide crisp, precise light output with no blooming or blinding effect for incoming air traffic. Incandescent or halogen technology creates unnecessary heat generation and a broad spectrum color output that can create blooming or blinding effects for fixed wing and rotorcraft pilots...

The Carmanah model 601 and 702 aviation lights are designed to operate maintenance free in all areas of the globe. They provide a consistent autonomy (up to 230 hours) while allowing for variable intensity in areas of low or poor solar illumination. The effective intensity will differ depending on the flash character required during different times of the year in the particular solar environment. For example, as more power is required for a fixed (steady on) character than for a flashing character, the visibility of an A601 in "steady on" mode will exceed one mile, whereas the same light at 60 flashes per minute is visible for over two miles. Each light will have a slightly different autonomy of operating time depending on the flash code, area of installation and selected intensity. Please see the individual specification sheets for light output values.

Carmanah aviation lights have been specially designed for easy installation. The A601 and A702 can be mounted to an aluminum base plate (see accessories) that locks into standard 2" frangible couplings (See Accessories). It is important to reiterate that Carmanah Aviation Lights are completely self-contained; there is no external power source required, no external wiring, no trenching, etc. Once you have mounted a Carmanah Light you are finished the installation process! Carmanah lights will then work flawlessly for up to five years with no maintenance or servicing. Imagine the savings in maintenance costs alone...

The operating temperature range of the lead-acid batteries used in Carmanah aviation lights sets the limits for the unit itself. As the ambient temperature increases, the expected life of the battery, and hence the light may decrease. Optimum battery life will be achieved by mounting the unit on the coolest available surface. Carmanah Aviation Lights are designed to operate normally under temperatures ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to +80°C (176°F). Where possible, resist mounting the lights on high heat surfaces such as black roofs or tarmac as this will degrade the life of the light over time. It is recommended to place a small washer in between the base of the light and the mounting surface or stainless steel plate.

The lifetime of an LED is about 100,000 hours or 27 years, assuming the LED is in operation continuously for 10 hours a day. Carmanah aviation lights are guaranteed to last for a minimum of 3 years and they are designed to last maintenance free for up to 5 years, depending on the installation location and operating conditions. With our experience of over 100,000 Carmanah lights installed around the world since 1993, we are confident in stating the LEDs will easily outlast the expected lifespan of the unit.

All Carmanah lights come with a one-year limited warranty.

Carmanah lights are truly the world's most advanced solar-powered LED lighting for airport lighting and obstruction applications. They are manufactured to strict ISO 9001 quality standards and they will operate reliably and flawlessly for the duration of their lifespan. However, if for any reason you decide that you are not satisfied with the quality and performance of your Carmanah aviation light(s), you are encouraged to return the units within 30 days to receive a full refund of the purchase price. Contact Allister Wilmott, Business Development Manager, for more details.