Frequently Asked Questions
Why retrofit LED Boards instead of building new fixtures?
Bare Development has made a commitment to be as ECO friendly as possible, a typical lighting fixture has a life expectancy of 30 or more years (if properly maintained) and retrofitting with our boards is the most cost effective and sensible action.
What are the most common applications for your retrofit kits?
Gas Stations, Car Washes, Parking Lots, Parking Garages, Factories and Street Lighting.
Why do LED boards need heat sinks?
When LED’s were first used they were small devices producing very little light output and virtually no heat. Today’s high power LED’s produce vast amounts of heat to produce the high lumen output needed for outdoor lighting. Our boards employ a specially designed heat sink to dissipate this heat in existing fixtures.
There is a common Myth that enclosed fixtures trap heat and therefore can overheat. Another myth is an exposed heat sink is better. The exposed heat sink theory falls apart when you consider the elements. Rain, snow and sleet leave residue in the heat sink which over time will decrease the ability to wick off heat properly. Consider your gutters at home; these are made to whisk away water and debris but still need to be cleaned at least once a year. The other problem with an exposed heat sink is the Sun which beats down on the board all day, effectively overheating the LED’s while they are not even on.
Our design is based upon a common oven on warm. After the board comes up to temperature (about 2 hours typical), it warms the air surrounding the board and then the fixture housing, which cools naturally through convection. The opposite occurs on a sunny day; the fixture housing is heated, then the air surrounding the board and finally the board. This effectively leaves a layer of insulation between the boards and the ambient temperature and no debris build up on the heat sink to derate it’s effectiveness.
Where are your products Manufactured?
Our products are designed and manufactured in the USA. Some of the electronic components are manufactured overseas, but all of it is assembled here in the United States.
Are your products listed with UL?
All of our products were tested and are listed as UL/CUL components under 8750 a full year before the DOE mandated that all LED boards have a UL rating. We are also recognized as CE rated.
Which fixtures can you retrofit?
With our broad range of products we can retrofit the majority of outdoor fixtures .