Bringing light to difficult environments

Australian export case study

From providing lights for oil rigs in the hurricane-prone waters of the Gulf of Mexico to lighting the paths of military desert runways in the wilds of Afghanistan, Sealite’s unique navigational equipment is bringing light to difficult environments around the world.

Victorian-based Sealite uses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) instead of standard light bulbs in its lanterns.

Sealite Sales Director Chris Procter said that the relatively new LED technology has many advantages over traditional forms of lighting.

“LED products consume extremely low levels of power and have an operational life in excess of 100,000 hours,” he said. “This can translate into enormous savings in maintenance costs.”

He explained that solar modules convert sunlight to an electrical current for charging batteries, while a central microprocessor with very low current requirements controls the functions of the light through advanced software.

Mr Procter said that the marine environment is one of the harshest to cater for. “Products must be able to withstand the extreme elements of icing, cyclonic winds, salt spray and tropical humidity.”

Austrade has helped Sealite to export its products around the world. “We have received a number of Export Market Development Grants and these have helped fund a lot of important export initiatives for us,” noted Mr Procter.

The company recently invested in establishing a United States representative office in North Carolina. “It gives us a wonderful US point of contact.”