10 Tips for Choosing a Light Tower
With many mobile lighting towers on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is best suited to your needs. Different manufacturers offer different features, and it can be both confusing and time consuming to look through all the available options. If you are asking yourself ‘how to choose light towers’, or maybe even ‘how much does it cost to rent a light tower’ then carry on reading. This guide will point out the various factors to consider and what exactly to look out for.
How to choose a light tower?
Here are 10 tips to help you make an informed decision on which light tower is best for you.
1. Safety
Whilst mobile lighting towers are useful for enhancing safety in hazardous working environments, they are heavy pieces of machinery with their own risks that need to be considered. Such risks include high gusts of wind, unstable ground and associated electrical hazards.
Although there are mandatory safety requirements and checks that all mobile lighting towers must have, some light towers have additional features and systems that can detect and minimise possible risks. If you are looking to maximise safety, then consider looking into these options. If hiring a mobile lighting tower, choose a reputable company and ensure that all the necessary checks have been completed.
2. Light throw
When it comes to light throw, this refers to how much coverage a portable light tower provides. Both the light throw and the brightness of your power tower light are useful factors to consider, especially when intending to use your lighting tower on large acres of outdoor space.
Check the specifications of your mobile lighting tower, making sure to pay close attention to the area coverage and the illuminance lux value. You’ll want to try and aim for maximum coverage. Metal Halide bulbs are more efficient for lighting up larger surface areas, however, LED bulbs offer a more direct light.
3. Fuel efficiency
When considering fuel efficiency, it’s important to note that diesel-powered light towers are more fuel efficient than petrol-powered ones. Fuel efficiency is important for many reasons – not only does it significantly affect running costs, but fuel-efficient engines have a longer run time meaning they can operate for longer hours before needing to be re-fuelled.
Fuel efficiency also affects the environmental impact of your light tower as they reduce fuel consumption. Our fuel-efficient mobile lighting towers offer up to 85 hours of uninterrupted power.
4. Eco-friendliness
Speaking of their environmental impact, if seeking out an eco-friendly option then solar-powered lighting towers are a great choice. Whilst these may be beneficial in areas where electrical power is limited, in areas with less sunlight or in the winter months they may be less effective. If you don’t want to compromise on this, opt for models that use LED lightbulbs. They emit fewer emissions than regular bulbs and last longer, making them the more cost-efficient option.
5. Noise pollution
Lighting towers use generators that create a substantial amount of noise. This shouldn’t be much of an issue when working in remote locations, however, in populated areas or night-time operations, this can cause considerable disruptions and breach noise regulations. This can also interrupt audience viewers when used in outdoor events like concerts or festivals.
Consider investing in a low-noise mobile lighting tower to mitigate these factors. Our range of super silent lighting towers has a reduced noise feature producing just 60db(A) at 7m.
6. Build quality
Lighting towers are most often used outdoors where they have to withstand harsh weather conditions. As such the quality of your light tower is an essential factor that needs to be considered. Ensure the materials used are durable and non-corrosive. For portable light towers also check to see if they have been fitted with hardwearing tyres that can withstand long drives between jobs.
7. Canopy integrity
The canopy is the base of the lighting tower and provides a protective structure to the generator, engine, fuel tank and all the electrical systems. As with the overall build quality of your mobile lighting tower, the canopy design is vital to safeguarding all the internal components. The canopy will need to withstand harsh weather conditions and preferably be constructed with long-lasting materials for maximal usage.
8. Transportation & mobility
Whether you’re investing in a portable light tower for several projects, or need it stationed for a long period, the mobility of your lighting tower should be a factor to consider. Investing in a lighting tower that you can easily and efficiently transport between locations is ideal.
Our lighting towers combine durability with a compact design. They can be mounted to a trailer and are also fitted with a single left eye, so they can be moved easily with a crane or other heavy-lifting machinery. Our mobile lighting towers are also hydraulically operated, giving them a quick and easy set-up time.
9. Maintenance intervals & downtime
Your portable light tower will require maintenance checks and the frequency of such depends on the model you opt for. It is recommended for diesel engines to get an oil change every 6 months; however, this entirely depends on your usage. For those using their lighting tower for round-the-clock operations, this may be required on a more consistent basis.
Regular maintenance will keep the engine running smoothly and avoid any possible complications. The lightbulbs will also need replacing depending on their life expectancy, with LED light bulbs being the optimal choice for this. The maintenance intervals are something you’ll have to look out for to reduce downtime and prevent delays.
10. Connectivity
When it comes to mobile lighting towers their ability to connect and communicate with external devices or networks is a worthy factor to consider. Connectivity allows for remote monitoring systems which give operators real-time updates regarding the light towers’ functionality. This can include monitoring factors such as fuel levels, engine health, light output, and other relevant data. Again, this further helps in reducing your maintenance intervals and downtime.
How much do light towers cost?
The price of your mobile lighting tower depends on what qualities you are looking for. Machines with advanced features and safety systems will cost more, but they usually come with additional benefits. Atlas Copco’s tower light price may be a worthy investment for those looking to prioritise safety with their SmartMast technology. Other contributing factors are engine size, area coverage and any noise-minimising features. It will also depend on if you choose to purchase your portable light tower or hire it. Light tower rental prices again can differ according to your needs and the duration of your contract.
Why not contact our friendly team who can provide you with a quote according to your needs?
Explore our diesel lighting towers
Advice on how to choose light towers is our speciality. Browse our selection of diesel power light towers to either hire or purchase. We only work with trusted manufacturers across England and Wales and supply quality lighting towers for any need. Our portable light towers are not only competitively priced, but they are mobile, hydraulic and super silent.
If you require any further information, you can use the contact form below to reach us. Otherwise, please visit our contact page where our team is on hand to find the right lighting tower for your needs.