Lamp FAQs
 

I hear that some searchlights have a “black hole” at the center of the beam.  Is there a black hole obstructing the beam of the Maxa Beam?

The Maxa Beam does not have a “black hole” at the center of the beam from a 1° spot to a 15° flood.  The tight spot of the beam in this wide range produces brilliant white illumination that is even and diffused.  Beware of other illumination products that claim to have the only light completely free of this black hole; other illumination products do not offer more than a 15° beam spread.  The Maxa Beam has no black hole up to a 15° beam spread.  The optional partial diffusion filter (MBA-3010) makes the Maxa Beam searchlight free from any black hole from a 1° spot to a 40° flood.      

How bright is the Maxa Beam?

At full power, the Maxa Beam reaches an intensity of 6,000,000 peak beam candle-power.  This makes the Maxa Beam the world’s most powerful handheld searchlight.           

How long is the lamp life?

The Maxa Beam’s 75 Watt Xenon short arc lamp has a lifetime of over 1,000 hours. 

Can the Maxa Beam’s intensity be varied by the operator?

Yes, when used as a portable illuminator, the intensity of the beam can be switched by the operator from regular intensity to high-beam mode or battery-saver mode (lower beam) as well as strobe mode.  All of this can be done with one-handed operation.  For fixed installations, the MBS-450 or MBS-430 models have a wired remote control port which can be integrated into commonly used PTV and CCTV systems so that all functions of the light can be controlled via this method. 

What is the width of the illumination field at full power?  Can the width be mechanically varied?

Using the easy one-handed control of the Maxa Beam, the width of the illumination field can be controlled by the operator using a motor driven optics system. The beam spread can be altered from a 1° spot to a 40° spread in a matter of seconds. The width of the illumination field at different beam angles is as follows:


 

Handheld Use and Mounting FAQs

Can the Maxa Beam be easily carried and handheld?

Yes, the weight of the searchlight without the battery is 3.3 lbs.  Battery weights vary according to type and are available in both belt-body pack versions as well as modules which easily snap on and off of the searchlight without tools in seconds.

Can the Maxa Beam be permanently mounted and supplied with hard power?

The Maxa Beam MBS-430 model is designed with permanent mounting in mind and has a power port and remote port.  It can be powered through the Direct Drive Power Supply (MBP-4000S) from AC power or through the cigarette lighter adapter (MBA-7100) or can be hard wired with the 12V Connector (MBA-7200) for DC power. 

Can the Maxa Beam be easily mounted to a vehicle? Are mounting brackets included?

Yes, several mounts are available as options to be used with the light:

MBA-3605: Fixed mount allows light to be quickly attached to and detached from vehicles or other surfaces.

MBA-3620: Uni-Clamp Positioning Head allows lights to be clamped to anything up to 2” wide.

MBA-3800: Rooftop Remote Control Enclosure is a rugged enclosure that can be mounted to a vehicle roof or guard tower and allows the light to be tilted and panned, as well as all normal light functions such as beam intensity, strobing and flooding, from inside the vehicle.

MBP-5200 and MBP-5600: These chargers are available with vertical mounting options that allow the charger, battery, and searchlight to be securely bolted to any vertical surface.

Power and Hardware FAQs
 

What kinds of batteries are available?  How long can these batteries power the Maxa Beam?

What are the dimensions of the Maxa Beam searchlight?

Height: 5.75”, Width: 5.75”, Length: 11.00”, Weight: 3.3 lbs. 

What features make the Maxa Beam notably suited for outdoor use?

The Maxa Beam was originally designed for use on Navy submarines, and its weather-resistant features have been field-tested and refined for over 17 years. 

What other products does Peak Beam Systems, Inc. offer for integration with the Maxa Beam?

Peak Beam Systems manufactures a full line of filters, mounts, maintenance kits, and many other accessories. 

Application FAQs
 

What filters are available that can alter the wavelength band of infrared illumination?

Several filters are available that target a certain level of infrared illumination:

MBA-1715: Cuts off all frequencies below 715nm (visible to the naked eye)

MBA-1850: Cuts off all frequencies below 850nm (only visible to the naked eye if bore-sited with beam)

MBA-1900: Cuts off all frequencies below 890nm (virtually undetectable to the naked eye)

MBA-1950: Cuts off all frequencies below 950nm (undetectable to the naked eye) 

Can I control a Maxa Beam from my computer?  How?

Yes, our engineering staff has recently developed an interface to control all of the Maxa Beam’s functions through common computer communications software and protocol, such as HyperTerminal and RS-232. 

Can I synchronize the zoom of the Maxa Beam with my camera lens?

Yes, using our new interface RS-232 Interface, an operator will be able to synchronize the light’s zoom rate with that of any camera zoom lens. 

Can I signal in Morse code with a Maxa Beam?

Yes, using a special version of the RS-232 Interface, the Maxa Beam can be interfaced with a computer.  The interface can be programmed to send Morse code signals with the Maxa Beam.  The interface connects between the light’s and the user’s PC and translates words typed on the keyboard into the corresponding Morse code flashes, which the Maxa Beam automatically produces.