The Smart Light® FAQ
What is the Star Monitor?What type of testing has been done on this product?
What do the flashing LED’s signify?
Why are the LED’s so bright?
What kind of warranty comes with the light?
Is the light available in stores?
Will the motion light come on while I'm driving?
Will the motion light disturb my neighbors in a close camping setting?
What kind of amperage does the light draw?
Can’t I just leave my porch light on?
Can I get the light housing in any other colors?
What about an amber lens?
TROUBLESHOOTING:
Will the light run down my battery?
What if I hook up the wires wrong?
How do I adjust the sensitivity from 10-25 feet?
How does the light sense motion?
What happens when I activate my light in auto mode?
INSTALLATION:
Do I need to buy batteries for this light?
Is The Smart Light® easy to install?
What is the Star Monitor?
Our Star Monitor is a state of the art coach battery monitoring system. Our microchip will “talk” to your coach battery continuously. If your coach battery tells our microchip that your battery is below 11.5 volts, the RED LED will blink and the light will no longer function based on motion. Thus, saving battery life, and helping you keep an eye on your power level from outside of the coach. Please note, if the Star Monitor detects a low battery, you will still be able to use the Smart Light® as a standard porch light.
What type of testing has been done on this product?
We tested the Smart Light® for well over two years before we introduced it to the public. It can withstand Arizona summers (185° F), Alaska winters (-40° F) and even a category 2 hurricane. We also simulated two years of continuous use with no malfunctions.
What do the flashing LED’s signify?
A GREEN LED = Unit senses that the house batter has a sufficient charge, it is nighttime, and the Smart Light® will come on when motion is detected. A BLUE LED = Coach Battery is sufficient; Unit detects that it is daytime and it will not be triggered by motion. A RED LED = Coach battery level is below 11.5 volts, signifying the RV has less than 30% of its power left. The coach battery must be charged before the unit will function as a motion light, though it can still be used as a standard entry way light.
Why are the LED’s so bright?
During our market research at RV events, Samborees, etc., we found that the overwhelming majority of customers preferred a high intensity LED flashing light over a more muted LED. However, now that there are several thousand Smart Lights® in operation around the world, we have found a greater number of customers who find the LED too bright at night. Thus, we have manufactured a slip cover to mount over the LED to reduce the light it emits. It will be available to all customers past and present at no charge beginning this summer. If you have already purchased a Smart Light® and would like this cover, please submit your info through our 'Contact Us' page and we will send it to you as soon as they arrive.
What kind of warranty comes with the light?
A one-year limited manufactures’ warranty is offered with the light. We also offer a 14 day money back guarantee.
Is the light available in stores?
Yes! Please visit our store locator on our website.
Will the motion light come on while I'm driving?
No. You can turn off the light using the inside switch the same way you turn off your current porch light.
Will the motion light disturb my neighbors in a close camping setting?
No. Our patented housing tilts to illuminate the ground, not your neighbor’s coach. Also, the sensitivity in the SL1000's field of view can be adjusted to approximately 10' to 25'. The Smart Light’s® electronics and software programming also help to make the Smart Light® sensitive to only people and not small animals or blowing debris.
What kind of amperage does the light draw?
This unit uses a standard 1003 bulb when activated, the light draws .9 amps p/hr. When in passive mode, the LED draws less than 100 milliamps. No power is drawn when off.
Can’t I just leave my porch light on?
Yes, as long as you don’t dry dock and you keep your converter turned on. Just please be respectful of your neighbors and remember, light bulbs burn out, so you still may come home to a dark coach. Due to our light shut off capabilities, our light bulb will last for several years.
Can I get the light housing in any other colors?
We used high grade GE plastics in the construction of the housing to ensure our customers could paint the light any color they wish. We will not make any other color, as it will be impossible to exactly match the color scheme of every RV. However, we have had countless customers custom paint the light to match their RV.
What about an amber lens?
We looked into creating an amber lens, but found that it was much more cost effective to use an amber bulb. Unfortunately, 1003 amber bulbs aren't easy to find in the US for some reason. So we imported thousands of them and are including the amber bulbs with each light at no additional charge. If you already purchased the Smart Light® and would like an amber 1003 bulb, please contact us through this website with you request, and we will send one to you at no charge.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Will the light run down my battery?
No. That is one reason why we call it the Smart Light®. It runs on a pre-programmed microprocessor much like what you find in a personal computer. It is programmed to automatically shut off when voltage drops below 11.5 volts for longer than 30 seconds, so that you will always be able to start your RV– even while dry camping!
What if I hook up the wires wrong?
The Smart Light® is reverse polarity protected, which means that even if you install it wrong, it won't damage the light. However, the light will only function in manual mode and no LED’s will blink. Just correct the wires and the light will work fine.
How do I adjust the sensitivity from 10-25 feet?
By adjusting the unit’s dipswitches. The dipswitches are located on the circuit board mounted in the electronics compartment of the Smart Light®. Once the lens has been removed, access for adjustment is through the opening, with the dipswitches located below the light sensor and above the multicolored LED.
How does the light sense motion?
PIR (PASSIVE INFRARED SENSOR); A note about this state of the art technology: These PIR sensors detect thermal mass. The internal micro processor “talks” to the PIR sensors in code. This code allows our Smart Light® to differentiate between a large thermal mass, and a small one (such as a cat, rabbit, small dog, etc.). When a small thermal mass is detected, the code tells the light not to turn on.
When a larger mass is detected (i.e. humans, a bear, large dogs, etc.) the code enables the unit to turn on the light. However, thermal readings are dictated by outside temperatures. If it is hot outside, it is more difficult to pick up any thermal mass, and is thus necessary to come closer to the unit to turn it on. In fact, if the outside temperature is near your body temperature, the light may not detect motion at all. Likewise, if it’s very cold outside, the cold background makes it much easier to pick up any thermal mass, and thus the PIR sensors may detect an object further away than normal. Please keep in mind outside temperatures when adjusting sensitivity.
What happens when I activate my light in auto mode?
The Smart Light® performs a simple self test on power-up in manual mode. The unit tests the daylight sensor, the voltage level sensor and the two PIR’s. If a failure is detected, a color [BLUE for a daylight failure, RED for a power sense failure and GREEN if either of the PIR’s are not detected] is displayed for one second. A second “white” indicates no failures and the Smart Light® porch light is activated by the microprocessor to turn on in either Manual or Auto Sensing mode. Bottom line- if you don't see a continuously blinking LED within 60 seconds of activating the Smart Light® in detection mode, the unit is either in manual mode (standard porch light mode) or there is a problem with the light. If a problem is suspected, please contact our engineering team at 800-883-5444.
INSTALLATION
Do I need to buy batteries for this light?
No. The light functions from the same 12 Volt power source as the current light.
Is the Smart Light® easy to install?
Yes! We wanted to make sure our customers could easily install the light, so it uses the same hole pattern as most standard lights, and it connects with the same two wires already installed. It also uses the same switch that is currently in your unit. If you are installing more than one, or your coach does not have a current porch light, feel free to contact our engineering department at 800-883-5444 for help.
