Metal-halide diesel light tower
The older lamp technology, still specified where a very high point output is wanted from few fittings, or where an existing fleet is being matched. Cheaper per unit to buy and dearer to run.
Features
- Typical fittings are 1 000 W or 1 500 W each, so a four-head tower draws 4 to 6 kW against roughly 1.2 kW for an LED tower that puts the same illuminance on the ground.
- The engine and alternator are therefore much larger, and fuel use per hour is several times that of an LED tower.
- Hot restrike takes several minutes, so any supply interruption puts the area in darkness for that time.
- Lamp life is counted in thousands of hours and output falls measurably across it, so lamps are a scheduled consumable.
- Lamps contain mercury and are a controlled waste stream, which adds a disposal obligation.
- Where an existing fleet is halide, matching it keeps lamp stock and spares simple — that is usually the only reason to buy one now.
Specifications
| Figure | Typical range | Unit | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heads: number × rating | 4 × 1 000 / 4 × 1 500 | W | Sets total electrical load and therefore engine size. |
| Total electrical load | 4.0 - 6.0 | kW | Several times an equivalent LED tower. |
| Fuel consumption | 1.4 - 2.6 | l/h | The main running-cost difference against LED. |
| Hot restrike delay | 4 - 10 | min | Length of the blackout after any interruption. |