DLL-RAIL LIGHTS
When planning the DLL- rail lights, the following aims were set and this is what the lights must be like:
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Wireless
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Energy efficiency
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Shockproof
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Un-noticeable
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Easy to install
Wireless
Being wireless gives a chance to install the lights without a person specialized in electric work, as the light generates the needed power itself.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency gives a possibility of a long time of usage, and at the same time a chance for self-generated power. For this self-generated power, solar panels and powerful rechargeable batteries were selected.
Design
The design of the lights was founded around the need of them being shockproof. The selected design was an egg-like round shape (as this will absorb nicks, kicks, drops and hits). The design also impacts (in a positive way) on how to integrate the lights to the vessels visage.
Accessibility
In addition, the idea was to design a light, which helps aging people to continue working with their hobby, and in general, helping people to safely do all the actions needed on the deck.
What needs to be taken into consideration?
When starting to think how to use the DLL-rail lights in any vessel, the first point of consideration the vessel’s length. Typically the lights are installed in an amount of pairs; 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, depending on the length of the vessel and its nautical traveling possibilities.
Port or anchored?
It needs to be thought through, that how and how much the vessel is attached to a pier at the port, or that is the vessel anchored in other places more often. When stationary at the port, the most thought thing is where to walk safely to and from the boat. If using the bow, two lights are to be installed in to the position used for entering and exiting, in order it to be as safe as possible. When using bow stairs, one light can be installed in to the stairs themselves, so that they are more visible and easier to find.
Lights installed on the vessel
Next we get up on to the deck of the boat, and see what the usual point of interest is. Usually this is near the cockpit, so one light is installed in to the vicinity of the cockpit and on the both sides. Positioning the lights like this ensures that the eyes have a valid point of interest to help with safe sailing and moving about.
Dark spots in middle deck
So now we have defined the basic positions of the lights. After this, the next point of focus is how to light up the empty areas for safe moving and deck actions. Both sides are installed with lights to fill up the dark places with light, in a way that it helps all of the deck actions.
Beautiful profile
The DLL-lights are not only for safety, but the look of the vessel is also taken in to consideration. The lights need to be installed in a way that makes the vessel’s beautiful profile visible and makes it look better.
BOOM-LIGHT
The BOOM-light is installed on to the boom, which makes the cockpit a safe place to move and act in.
Installing of DLL-RAIL LIGHTS
The installing of DLL-rail lights is easy. The light is installed around the guardrail and two sides of the light system are attached together (but not too tightly) with four bolts and nuts (3mm). It is imperative that the light will not be fastened too tightly. The tightness is perfect when you can circle the light around the guardrail, but it will not drop downwards.
It needs to be noted that sometimes the guardrails are not exactly 25mm, so it might be a good idea to put something elastic tape or other elastic material in between the guardrail and the light.
Daily use
The daily use of the DLL-lights is very easy. When stationary at your own spot in the port, it is advised to position the lights in a way that their solar panels are at a good angle towards the sun, so that the batteries will get a better charge.
Focusing the lights
While sailing, it also is a good idea to make sure that the solar panels are facing the sun. It is true that the sea gives out a good reflection, but the solar panels will charge the strongest when facing straight sun light.
Nordic countries spring and autumn
In the Nordic countries, during the spring and the autumn, the sun is in a very low position and at a bad angle. In addition, there is more darkness than bright light during the duration of the day. The time periods in question are from January to April and from October to December.
Charging during the week
In most cases, sailors are not sailing for the whole week during spring and autumn, but they are spending their time on land. This means, that on Sunday when leaving the boat, the lights need to be turned in to the OFF-position. This ensures that every bit of sunlight the following week will be used to charge the DLL-lights. Then on Friday when coming back to the boat, the lights will be turned in to the ON-position. Following these steps makes it sure that the battery of the DLL-lights will last the whole of the weekend.
Durability of the lights
The DLL-rail lights are designed to work in difficult circumstances. They are not advised to be sunken straight in to the sea water; however, they are tested and deemed working under water as well (the warranty will not cover broken lights if they are constantly used underwater).
The gunwale being underwater
The DLL-lights will last and will not break down when the gunwale will momentarily go underwater. They will also last all kinds of water splashes, as all the electronics inside the light system are massed in to a waterproof material.
DLL-rail lights as the help of a sailor
The DLL-rail lights are designed for sailors, so that they can enjoy their beloved hobby during the dark as well. All the lights are hand made in the city of Turku, Finland. The designer (Captain Tapani Hänninen) has over 30 years of experience about demanding and harsh sails, during day and night and all over the world. The lights are tested thoroughly and a lot of time is used for testing, designing and the details of the lights. All of the solutions are done through actual usage and experiments. We believe in the product we have done and therefore give it a one (1) year warranty (warranty for batteries not included).
