How "EL" Lighting Works
Electroluminescent (EL) technology is found in many devices that most of us use every day, although most of us might not recognize these devices as specifically functioning with EL technology. It is often utilized in many flat panel displays found in hundreds of different electronic devices from PDA's and other hand held computers, to backlighting for keyboards and screens in everything from cell phones to automotive instruments. EL technology is even used in many NASA programs including the Space Shuttle.
Electrically, an EL lamp is similar to a capacitor, consisting of a non-conducting (dielectric) layer and a light emitting phosphor layer pressed between two conductive surfaces. One of these outer layers must be transparent or translucent. The dielectric layer serves to allow the light panel to handle higher voltages without shorting between the conductive surfaces. The voltages required to make an EL lamp like a Krill Light work is relatively high, from 80 to 100 volts.
EL lamps light up when powered with alternating current (AC power). In order for a Krill Light to use the direct current (DC power) from batteries, an inverter is required. Think of it as a miniaturized version of the inverters that allow you to operate regular household electrical devices using a car battery. As voltage is applied to the conductive surfaces, an electric field is generated across the microencapsulated phosphor and dielectric layers. Light is created when the electric field excites the phosphors and then phosphors emit light through the transparent front conductor of the lamp.
With no bulb to shatter or filament to break, Krill Lights are very rugged and impact resistant. With very little energy wasted in heat production, they are also considered a "cool" light source, resulting in very good energy efficiency. With a 2000-3000 hour lifespan, Krill Lights make great sense in hundreds of important lighting situations.
Krill Lights Just Make Sense
Kriana has taken EL technology and created a truly ingenious and functional product line. With the 120 hour life of the Original Krill Light, and 50 hour life for the Krill Light Extreme, Krill Lights are a massive improvement over the 8-12 hour life of a chem-light. Even better than chem-sticks, you can turn a Krill Light off! So, their effective life can be even longer, because we rarely need the light to actually be on for 12 hours at a time. If light is needed for only a couple of hours a night, for example, then it would take up to 60 chem-lights to equal one Krill, depending upon the model.
Click here to learn more about how Krill Lights can help retain night vision.
Krill Light Construction
The Krill Light is constructed of a virtually bomb-proof clear polycarbonate body. In fact, the Original Krill Light can survive a drop over 50 feet (15.2m) onto concrete. The lanyard-ready top cap has a similar screw-on base that also acts as the switch for the Krill Light. Screw it in (clockwise) to turn on, and out (counterclockwise) to turn off. Turning it on only requires about a quarter turn, and the designed tension in the cap is stiff enough to prevent turning it on by accident.
An o-ring at the base allow the unit a waterproof rating of 150 feet (45.7m). Inside the clear body, the EL lamp is rolled to lay up against the tube, and a metal sleeve holds it in place at the bottom. The batteries slide into the body, and spring at the top provides tension when the cap is screwed on.
Krill lights are capable of operating in extreme heat and cold, and can continue functioning well beyond the limitations of chem-lights.
In as much as batteries have a certain shelf life, (typically four to five years for standard alkaline batteries and up to 10 years for lithium batteries), the storage life for a Krill Light is unlimited.
Krill Light Output
Krill Lights are designed to meet the Mil-Spec minimums for chem-illuminescent lamps and are as bright as a chem-light after one hour of activation. Light output is typically measured in Foot Lamberts, (1fL=1/pi candelas/sq.ft.)
Here are the Light Output Specifications for Krill Lights:
2-AA Models:
2-AAA Models:
6-AA Krill Torch: