Microlite Relay and Controllable Breaker Systems are used in many facilities around the United States and Canada. It is prevalent in large-footprint facilities including stadiums and arenas, larger theatres, industrial buildings and business centers. The Microlite System has provided decades of reliable control for interior and exterior lighting systems, but unfortunately, the Microlite systems are coming to the end of their life cycle.
IS THERE SUPPORT FOR EXISTING MICROLITE SYSTEMS?
In an attempt to prolong the service life of the Microlite System, Knight Sound & Lighting Inc. has acquired many used Microlite parts in order to service existing systems. These are all refurbished parts and no new Microlite parts are available at this time.
There is no way of knowing how long the refurbished Microlite parts will be available, but we will attempt to support the original Microlite System as long as possible.
Knight Sound & Lighting has been able to repair some of the Microlite cards, such as the Microlite NIC (Network Interface Card), but this is a limited service.
Our company is the last Microlite service agency in the United States.
EXISTING MICROLITE SOFTWARE IS NOT DESIGNED TO WORK ON NEWER WINDOWS COMPUTERS
If you have an existing Microlite System, it is most likely working on a Windows XP Computer Program called the Microlite LMS-XP Software. This program is designed to work only on Windows XP Computers or older. Many facilities want to be on newer versions of Windows than XP.
The time schedules on the Microlite LMS-XP Software will only work up to the year 2025 for “special events” time schedules. No new “patches” or software upgrades will be forthcoming.
Microlite was acquired by Musco Sports Lighting many years ago. Musco will officially discontinue all support for the Microlite line on December 31st, 2019.
WE HAVE A SOLUTION! – THE ILC LIGHTLEEDER MICROLITE RETROFIT SYSTEM
Knight Sound & Lighting has developed a retrofit for the Microlite system which uses a new controllable relay and/or controllable breaker system. This system is called the ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System. The new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System has been successfully installed in many stadiums (NFL), arenas (NBA and NHL), ballparks (MLB), professional theatres (Broadway), hospitals, businesses, and government facilities throughout the United States.
EASY TO INSTALL; REDUCED INSTALLATION LABOR COSTS
The new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System is installed in the existing Microlite enclosure and takes just a few hours (1-4 hours) to retrofit each Microlite Relay and/or Controllable Breaker Panel.
This allows for a VERY quick turn-around time for the retrofit of the entire old Microlite System to the brand new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System. Depending upon the number of panels and the number of electricians performing the retrofit, an entire system can be completed in a day, a week, or at most, a few months.
The existing line and load wiring will be used in the new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System. This means that the long process of demo & installation – pulling back line and load wires, adding raceways, extending line and load wires, etc. – is not needed on the new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System. This key factor equals savings in materials costs (back boxes, cable, conduit, etc.); labor costs (the labor to remove the old backboxes, cable, conduit, etc. plus the time to install all new); and time (less work means a faster turnaround time). Note: if there are controllable breakers, the site will need short (1-5 feet) line and load wire extensions from the top section (breakers) to the bottom section (new relays) of the existing Microlite enclosure.
In addition, the existing Microlite Switches can be re-used or new digital control stations (including LCD touch screen stations) can be used on the new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System.
LITTLE-TO-NO DOWN-TIME
We have successfully maintained operational control of both the Microlite and the new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit system at the same time. This allows a facility to have control of all of its old lighting system, while the retrofit to the new system is being completed. This process just takes some coordination, which KSL will provide during the entire process.
MECHANICAL LATCH
One of the “most loved” features of the original Microlite system is the ability to turn on and off its relays and/or controllable breakers with a mechanical latch. Good news! The new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit relays all include a mechanical latch that allows for the turning on and off of relays without any control power and/or processing.
PROGRAMMING CAN BE THE SAME OR UPDATED ON GRAPHICS
Since Knight Sound & Lighting is already proficient in the original Microlite System, they can easily “harvest” all of the programming data from any existing system. This retrieved information is then used to program the new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System with the exact same programming (or updated programming as requested).
If your facility has Microlite Graphics, we can also “harvest” this information and program the new ILC LightLEEDer InSite Graphics to match and/or be upgraded on the new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System.
The new ILC LightLEEDer InSite Graphics can be programmed with all of the same features and functions that a site has become used to working with on a daily basis with their original Microlite Graphics. In addition, the ILC LightLEEDer InSite Graphics offer a lot of additional features, including an amazing time schedule system with the ability to operate up to 4,000 different time schedules.
WINDOWS BASED COMPUTER CAN BE UP TO DATE (WINDOWS 10 PRO OR NEWER)
All of the software for the ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System Software (ILC LightLEEDer InSite and LightLEEDer Pro Network) will work on Windows Computers up to Windows 10 Pro. In addition, there is ongoing support for the ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System. Each new version of Windows has been accounted for and the appropriate revisions have been made. This means that all ILC LightLEEDer Microlite System Software will work with the latest version of Windows operating system.
EXTENDED WARRANTY OF SIX (6) YEARS ON NEW PARTS
The new ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System is made in the USA and comes with a standard warranty on all parts for six (6) years. This includes all new electronics, transformers, and relays. The only thing that remains from the existing Microlite system is the steel enclosure, steel door, line, and load wires. Everything else in the system is brand new and carries a UL rating.
The original Microlite System uses a shield twisted pair cable for communication between the Microlite Panels. We do recommend the replacement of this cable with a Category 5 or better control cable. You can use the existing shielded twisted pair cable, but you will have limited ability to add control stations between panels. We find that replacing the control cable with the Category 5 or better control cable is a VERY good idea to get the most out of your ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System.
SUPPORT AVAILABLE AND READY AT ANY TIME FOR YOUR NEW SYSTEM
Both Knight Sound & Lighting and ILC (Intelligent Lighting Controls) have been in the lighting controls industry for over thirty (30) years and provide excellent support for thousands of sites in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Knight Sound & Lighting Inc. provides a twenty hour (24), seven (7) day a week, 365 days a year technical support for our customers (866-457-5937). In addition, we keep spare stock of all of the common items that are used on the ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System, just in case of an issue (VERY rare). We will ship the spare parts to a site on the same day with up to same day delivery, if needed.
In order to find out more about the ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit System, please visit our website at the following link: Microlite to ILC Retrofit. In addition, please feel free to call us at 866-457-5937. Finally, if you are interested in seeing a demo of the ILC LightLEEDer Microlite Retrofit, just let us know and we will provide a demo at your site.