Will Custer Battery Powered Magnetic Amber Warning Light Work in 50 Below Weather in Alaska

Updated 05/05/2014 | Published 04/30/2014

Question:

Attn: Customer Service In reference to Custer Lights - HF20RL: 1. How will it function when the temperature is 50 below zero and winds are 50 MPH plus i.e., extreme cold climatic conditions that we experience in Alaska frequently at a remote Army base? 2. The custer light will not be used on a vehicle, but at the entrance, i.e. mounted on top of a manhole cover? Will it blow away/off the cover given the climatic conditions mentioned above? 3. Is the magnet strong enough to withstand a wind speed of 50 + MPH and ice and snow about 8 months of the year? 4. Will special AA batteries be required given the described climatic conditions?

asked by: John M

Expert Reply:

As you probably know the colder the temperature the harder it is for electrical items to work. The Custer warning light # HF20RL uses LED lights which require less power to operate than regular bulbs so the cold should affect them less. However, given the extreme cold you experience in Alaska it is hard to say how well it, or anything similar, would work.

A 50 mile per hour straight line wind could probably move the light. Add snow and ice and it becomes less likely it will be able to hold on long enough.

Using AA or AAA designed for cold weather conditions is a good idea.

expert reply by: Michael H