Technical Q&A

Q: You mention that the expected life expectancy is 3000 hours. What exactly happens to the light output beyond this time? Does the intensity decrease over time beyone the 3000 hours or does it simply stop working altogether?

A: The light gradually gets dimmer. At 3000 hours the light should be about 1/2 of its original intensity, with a fresh set of batteries. It will work to over 10,000 hours, but the efficiency is really reduced so we recommend replacement at 3000 hours.

Q: If the light output attenuates over time, does that mean that it is in the gradual process of attenuating even during the 3,000 hours of estimated life?

Storage Life: Do the micro-encapsulated phosphors break down over time, even
when not used? What is that time frame 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? Does ambient temperature, especially extreme heat or cold, that the Krill Light is stored at, affect
the life expectancy of the microencapsulated phosphors?

A: The life of the phosphors is pretty much unlimited. Humidity is the big factor to the life of phosphors, and we have a very robust build on the lamp and our plastic housing is waterproof. We have had the lamps run through an accelerated life testing for heat and cold, with no real effects.

Q: Is light output affected by temperature-specifically sub-zero temperatures.
(I understand the battery itself would be affected by sub-zero temperatures but assuming the voltage was truly 3 volts (using lithium double “AA” cells that are
much less affected by temperature) how does sub-zero temperatures affect the
micro-encapsulated phosphors?

A: The cold does not affect the light output, as long as the batteries are producing 3 volts.

Q: The extreme versions of the Krill Light are about twice as bright as the regular version but with a corresponding doubling of current draw as evidenced by a halfing
of the battery life. Does this increase in driving the phosphors to double the lumens
out light output contribute in any way to decreasing in the 3000 hour life expectancy?
If so, does that mean the non-extreme version would have a higher continuous burn life expectancy? If so, by how much?

A: We use a voltage doubler internally, then feed the IC DC to AC invertor. This provides higher drive conditions to bring about the higher output. This does have an effect on the overall life, however, our 3000 hours is conservative and covers both originals and extremes.

Q: Do the different colored phosphors have a different overall life expectancy?

A: We use a green base phosphor, with specific inks to shift the color into the other spectrums.
We do this because of best life and overall intensity.

Q: While the lamp itself runs on 3 volts DC, I assume you have circuitry that steps up the voltage and changes it to AC to cause the phosphors to glow. Just out of curiosity, what voltage and frequency are actually applied to the phosphors themselves?

A: The output ranges on style and version, however, it is between 80 and 100 volts and
200-400hrtz.