The new laboratory – equipped with the latest test rigs including a High-Low Humidity Test Chamber, Thermal Shock Test Chamber, Rain Simulation Chamber and a Dust Test Chamber – is designed to meet and exceed the most stringent tests required by international vehicle and equipment manufacturers and to ensure total product reliability.
Under the direction of highly experienced Product Quality Manager, David Smith, the new division will take an active role in looking at product lifetime costs with accelerated aging tests among many other tests, ensuring long-term product durability and reliability, which are paramount in Australia’s contested commercial road transport industry. David and his team of engineers work closely with internal product development engineers and industrial designers as well as the company’s international suppliers to ensure all products are completely suited to the harsh Australian environment and are fit for purpose.
With temperature ranges beyond the automotive industry requirements, tests such as High/Low temperature performance, temperature/humidity cycles testing, condensation, material durability as well as PCB solder joint durability, adhesive bonding, rain exposure and car wash tests, dust exposure plus shock and impact tests are now in process.
“Coupled with our fully equipped automotive photometric and optical laboratory, which is regarded as one of the most advanced in the South Pacific region, and a fully equipped research and development department, we are now well equipped to meet the market and environmental demands on its products and ensure complete satisfaction for its customers within Australia and overseas,” says Brown & Watson’s Adrian Bosker.
One new product the Brown & Watson management is banking on in 2012 is Narva’s Model 48 rear combination lamp, which has received further enhancements, incorporating the latest LED technology combined with a new linear optic lens to provide best-in-class performance.
Commonly referred to as ‘Jumbos’, the Model 48 range is arguably the most commonly used product on heavy commercial trucks and trailers in Australasia. The model’s latest generation now features nine to 33V multi-voltage circuitry for 12 and 24 volt applications and virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lenses to ensure the lamps survive the harsh rigors of the Australian transport industry.
Most importantly, however, it has received advanced ultra wide visibility LEDs, providing an intense yet even spread of light over the large surface of the lens. Taking the approach of ‘less is more’, just 16 advanced LEDs have replaced the earlier version which used 24 older style directional LEDs. “The performance of the new wide angle LEDs combined with the new optical lens produces greatly enhanced overall performance with an appealing visual effect plus ultra low current draw,” says Adrian. “Plus they still provide instant full strength illumination, reverse polarity protection and an enhanced ability to withstand shock and vibration.”
The two lamps subject to the upgrade are a rear stop/tail indicator lamp (part no. 94850) and a rear stop/tail/indicator/reverse combination (part no. 94856H). Both lamps feature in-built retro reflectors and are hard wired with waterproof connectors for ease of installation, as well as ADR and ‘E’ approved. In addition, both come with the Narva 5-year LED warranty.
“An added security feature is that the lamps are supplied with colour matched screw caps which, once inserted into the mounted lamp, preclude access to the screw unless the cap is drilled out,” says Adrian. “We are thrilled to announce that the ‘Jumbo’ lamps are now available from leading automotive and transport outlets throughout Australasia.”
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