When general contractors hear the term temporary lighting, the last thing that comes to mind is innovation. In most cases, the lights being used on today’s jobsites are anything but modern. For decades, general contractors have relied on the same outdated technologies to illuminate their work (such as halogen, incandescent, and metal halide.) The result: mazes of extension cords, piles of bent aluminum and broken bulbs, and dimly lit spaces. Indeed, it’s been clear for years that temporary lighting was a major obstacle for safety, productivity, and overall financial return. And, despite being fragile, running hot, and being hindered by cords, these disposable lights have continually been the go-to solutions for general contractors everywhere.
MILWAUKEE TOOL STEPS UP TO THE PLATE
Having been on the forefront of cordless technology since they first introduced lithium-ion to power tools in 2005, and the first to integrate LED into cordless lights in 2009, Milwaukee Tool saw an opportunity to pair current technologies with advanced lighting features, and introduce some truly unique solutions into the space. Solutions that not only challenge the common failures of halogen and other technologies, but ones that can fundamentally change temporary lighting.
By focusing on improved LEDs, optics, and lithium-ion technology, Milwaukee has introduced a full line of high output, battery powered products engineered to thrive on the jobsite. For the last 3 years, Milwaukee has dedicated significant research and development resources to dramatically advance portable work lighting technology. The output of their LED systems (Lumens) has increased by over 400 percent, all while becoming more efficient. This factor, along with the industry-leading REDLITHIUM™ Battery technology, has allowed Milwaukee Tool to now take on the title of being the largest innovator of cordless jobsite LED temporary lighting today. By developing solutions that span personal, site, task, and area lighting, Milwaukee has opened the door to a fully-lit jobsite that is safer, more productive, and more financially viable for contractors.
IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Safety: Leveraging high output light engine designs and the highest performing battery packs, Milwaukee’s flood lighting products are brighter than standard corded 250W and 500W halogen work lights, without the heat. For example, a halogen work light can reach temperatures of 600 degrees, requiring protective grates to shield users from the extreme temperatures. Milwaukee’s cordless LED designs are up 30 percent brighter than these halogen products while being cool to touch. In addition, the elimination of extension cords has reduced the number of trip hazards on the job. Moreover, Milwaukee has integrated a number electronic safety features into their lights, such as battery backup for AC/DC products which automatically switches the light over to DC power during a temporary power outage. Finally, all Milwaukee lighting solutions are designed with TRUEVIEW™ High Definition technology, which optimizes color temperature and color rendering of the light output. This results in a shadow-free, neutral-white light and a true representation of colors and detail, leading to a safer work area.
Productivity: With the ability to run all of Milwaukee’s lighting solutions off the same batteries that power their industry-leading cordless systems, users never have to worry about being without power. An example is the new M18 ROCKET™ Tower Light/Charger, which can achieve a runtime of up to 17 hours on the new M18 REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery pack. That same battery pack can also run any of the high-draw tools on the jobsite, and if the light goes dark during the job, it can also be powered by any other M18™ battery pack on the jobsite. No downtime necessary.
Milwaukee continues to also look into other areas of productivity enhancements. With the new M18 RADIUS™ Compact Site Light w/ONE-KEY™, users can control the light if they have the ONE-KEY™ app on their phone. Through the app, they can change the brightness, light direction, and program automatic schedules without manually readjusting the light. This is particularly important when the light is in hard-to-reach or remote areas—saving valuable time on the job.
Cost of Ownership: Third, and possibly one of the most meaningful benefits to contracting companies, is the overall lower cost of ownership these cordless LED lights have over halogen or other outdated solutions. Users need lighting they can rely on every single day, regardless of how tough the conditions might be. With that in mind, Milwaukee has made it a point to ensure their lights are built to survive the jobsite, with special focus on:
- LEDs with a lifetime warranty
- Reinforced, impact resistant bodies
- IP54 ratings (water and dust protection)
- Chemical resistance
Because of the unmatched performance and durability, these battery powered lights can truly simplify the temporary lighting process. For example, in a recent shutdown to conduct preventive maintenance on electrical infrastructure, an electrical contracting company located in Florida switched from their usual truckload of equipment (such as generators, string lights, and task lighting, and the labor associated with the setup and maintenance of that equipment) to just two M18™ RADIUS™ LED Compact Site Lights. They ultimately saved more than $1,000 in a 3-day job—not to mention the added benefits of improved safety and productivity.
Taken together, all these benefits make a shift to cordless LED temporary lighting a simple decision. One that is already paying off for companies. ■
About the Author: Tom Simeone is VP of product management with Milwaukee Tool. For more information on Milwaukee Tool’s cordless LED jobsite lighting, visit www.milwaukeetool.com/lighting.
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Modern Contractor Solutions – December 2016
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