Frequently Asked Questions

How well does TurboFlare™ stand up to impact from vehicles?

TurboFlare™ was designed to withstand being run over by cars and trucks. The housing is made from DuPont Surlyn, the same material that is used in car bumpers and golf balls, because it is so impact resistant. While it is designed to tolerate tremendous abuse, and is much stronger than any other electronic flare made, the TurboFlare™ is not completely unbreakable. So, care should be still be taken to keep the TurboFlare™ units out of harm's way if at all possible.

How well can the unit be seen in rain, fog and inclement weather conditions?

TurboFlare™ emits an extremely visible light array during dry conditions, but can actually be seen better during rain, fog and inclement conditions.

Can TurboFlare™s be used for marking a landing zone for helicopters?

The TurboFlare™ is the best flare made for marking helicopter landing zones. TurboFlare™s are visible from 25 miles away but will not destroy a pilot's night vision at close range. Because of their unusual rotating pattern, TurboFlare™s provide an unmistakable landing zone for a pilot. Even several miles away TurboFlare™s cannot be confused with any other light source. TurboFlare™s were designed to "dig in" to the ground when subjected to rotor wash

• Beware of strobe units sold as being suitable for marking helicopter landing zones. These are  intensely bright at close range in order to be visible from even 1 mile. This intense point light source will destroy a pilot's night vision, making a landing dangerous.

What is the life of the nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery?

We expect this generation of nickel-metal hydride batteries to last for 3 to 3 ½ years.

What is the operating temperature range of the unit?

The TurboFlare™ will perform with 100% capacity in a temperature range from 185 degrees Fahrenheit down to 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Above or below those temperatures the nickel-metal hydride batteries will begin to suffer a loss of performance. If you frequently operate in temperatures colder than 30 below zero, you can call the factory and order a TurboFlare™ with batteries designed to operate in colder temperatures.

Can the unit be used in the area of fuel spills?

Yes. Because the TurboFlare™ emits no spark to generate its light, the unit can be used in and around fuel spills.

How long does the battery last while the unit is operating on the road surface?

A properly charged TurboFlare™ will operate for approximately 17 to 20 hours, depending on the ambient temperature, before requiring a recharge.

Is the unit waterproof?

TurboFlare™ is designed to be used in extremely adverse weather conditions. However if you plan to use in, or underwater you should contact your dealer about using the TurboFlare™ "AquaPak".

How well does the unit stand up to gasoline, oil and other chemicals commonly encountered on the highway?

The DuPont Surlyn polymer case is designed to be resistant to gasoline, diesel fuel, oil, road salts and chlorine.

Can the units overheat or over-charge while re-charging?

There is a regulating device in each TurboFlare™ that prevents over-charging and overheating.

Will the recharging unit drain the car battery in such a way that the car cannot be started?

No, even connected straight to the battery, as we suggest, the current draw is so small that the vehicle's battery cannot be  drained. If you have any additional questions about installation, please call the factory. We will be happy to help you.

How do I charge the batteries for the first time?

It is absolutely critical that the units be charged for a full six hours prior to the first use. Because of the starting and stopping nature of police car usage, this may mean that you should leave the TurboFlare™ mounted in the trunk for the first two days before using any of the units. While the new generation of nickel-metal hydride batteries do not have the old memory problems, it is still wise to get a complete charge before using the TurboFlare™.

Can I purchase single units as replacements for lost or stolen units?

Yes. TurboFlare™s are available individually.

What are the available colors for the TurboFlare™?

Standard TurboFlare™ International colors are red, orange and amber.  We can also supply blue, green, white and infrared as special order items at additional cost.

I live in a foreign country. Can I order the TurboFlare™?

Yes. The TurboFlare™ is approved for export. Please contact the factory for the name of the dealer in your country.

Can I do any repairs myself such as replacing the nickel-metal hydride batteries?

There are no user-serviceable parts in TurboFlare™s. All repairs or service must be performed by the factory or an authorized repair facility in order to maintain the warranty of the product.

Some of my TurboFlare™s rotate clockwise and some rotate counter-clockwise. Why?

That's one of the design features of the TurboFlare™. In order to prevent drivers from becoming fixated on the lights, some rotate faster than others, and some rotate in opposite directions.  No matter which way they rotate the TurboFlare™ will be giving off "chaotic light" to the viewer.

I noticed that sometimes some of the TurboFlare™s are dimmed in light intensity and sometimes there are two or more TurboFlare™ International's that don't light up. Why?

When the batteries run down the TurboFlare™ International's dim. Eventually they go out completely. This is an indication that the batteries need to be recharged. It takes less than 3 hours to recharge the batteries from a  fully depleted state.