July 26, 2010
Revision 4 –

Subject: Retrolite 15 & 23 watt dimmable compact fluorescent lamp 12 month conditional Warranty

Poultry Distributors/Field Researchers/Integrators/Growers,

Since the middle of 2009, we have dedicated our focus to learning what is required to properly dim the Retrolite dimmable spiral CFL’s and maintain lamp life. We have developed a website (www.aglights.com) which is being used to update everyone with new information from our field testing. We have learned a tremendous amount over the past six months and below defines what is required, effective Jan. 1, 2010, if you want us to warranty these dimmable CFL’s. Please understand that many of these requirements were only learned during recent field testing. We have university field researchers that will be happy to also discuss these tests and give you their take on the results. We have dimmers that have successfully passed numerous field tests, some that are currently under test and some dimmer companies that have not submitted their dimmers for testing. Needless to say, only products that have passed our testing can be used for allowing warranties on these lamps.

Call this office if you have questions. Take time out and thoroughly read the www.aglights.com website to bring yourself up to date on what to do when installing these dimmable CFL’s. Please circulate this information to your sales and installation people and to outside contractors/electricians and others who may have a part in equipping these houses. An important requirement is that the keyless sockets must be nickel plated brass screw shell models. We have a ‘special’ program established with EPCO (Engineering Products Company) to ship nickel plated brass keyless sockets at a special price. Your electricians cannot purchase at these ‘special’ prices, so it is a benefit to them and to the growers for you to provide them. Our website fully explains why these nickel plated keyless models are required for warranty.

1. The approved dimmers are as follows:
   
   a. GSI/Hired Hand 6607-8033. Replacement cards are available to update older field models.
   b. ProTech Inc. models 3K and 6K Platinum, 4.8K and 8K Gold and the ‘RIMMIR’.
   c. The Rotem model RLD 72. Replacement cards are available (for older Rotem models that do not have this updated card) from Rotem dimmers and should be installed by a Rotem dealer electrician.
   
   There are numerous dimmers (other than the above models) that are currently being used to operate these dimmable lamps. Only the above approved models qualify for our warranty! Many of these untested dimmers control the lamps as a percentage function. By that I mean that the grower sets the dimmer to 10% or 20%. This percentage differs on all dimmers and may not represent the correct control current/voltage needed by the lamp for accurate dimming. Only by using a calibrated light meter can the proper light level be determined. We suggest asking the integrator what foot candle level is required both high and low end and adjust accordingly. Testing shows if the integrator requires 3 foot candles or more during brood, then the Retrolite 2L adapter must be used along with 15 watt dimmable and 18 watt non dimmable lamps. The approved dimmers above will successfully dim down to low levels (.15 f.c.) If you’re attempting to go below these levels, then the dimmable CFL is not designed to operate at this level and lamp life may be affected. Measurements should be read directly under the keyless sockets. See www.aglights.com for actual field test results.
   
   
2. The keyless sockets must be updated to the newer nickel plated brass screw shell models. The following EPCO p/n’s are available:
   
   a. model 16500 – Porcelain keyless without leads
   b. model 16510 – Phenolic keyless without leads
   c. model 16524 – Phenolic keyless with 7” leads
   d. model 16526 – Porcelain keyless with 7’ leads.
   
   The keyless sockets should always be installed prior to installing the dimmable CFL’s.
   
   We do not know what negative effects are created when new dimmable CFL’s are plugged into older corroded keyless sockets. Therefore, if new lamps are used with older keyless sockets and then later the keyless sockets are changed out to the newer models, the lamps will not be covered under warranty.
   
   
3. Burn-in the dimmable lamps for a minimum of 24 hours prior to dimming. This cures the phosphors and helps with added lamp life.
   
   
4. Confirm that the dimmable CFL’s are on their own circuits – no other equipment/lighting should be on those circuits. If using the Retrolite 2L adapter, remember to switch off the non dimmable lamp prior to beginning the dimming process. When dimming, only the Dimmable lamp should be energized on this circuit. Other dimmers/controllers, photo- cells, motion detectors, other type light bulbs (cold cathodes) should not be on this dimming circuit. See # 5 below for one exception.
   
   
5. We cannot fully explain but, at times, installing a 100 watt regular light bulb in the first socket closest to the dimmer may reduce any light flickering at the low end of the control or it may help in allowing for better control at the lower end of the dimmer control.
   
   
6. Cleaning the spiral dimmable lamps will help maintain the optimum light levels. A feather duster may help. Retrolite also has lamp guards (see www.retrolite.com) that serve to both protect the CFL as well as to make the cleaning process easier.
   
   
7. The 15 or 23 watt Dimmable lamps should not be dimmed below a certain setting on the approved dimmer. Please see the Dimmer test evaluations sheet to show what the Lowest dimmer setting should be on each of the approved dimmers.
   

Sincerely,

Retrolite Corporation of America

*Any changes or updates to this warranty will be found at www.aglights.com.