MPOWERD Luci Lights - FAQ's

We thought it would be good to have a Q&A session on Luci Lights, so here's the answers to all those questions you wanted to ask (and a few that you didn't know you wanted!)

General Luci Information

Why are most of your lights inflatable?

When MPOWERD started back in 2012, the first Luci was designed primarily for use in disaster relief situations, including flooding and tsunamis. We wanted the product to be lightweight, solar powered, and to withstand extreme weather situations; so an inflatable light worked perfectly! From there, we created different versions of Luci to cater to different consumer needs.

How do I inflate/deflate my light?

To inflate your light, firmly pinch the 2-way valve and blow into the nozzle until fully inflated. Push in the valve, and you’re all set!

To deflate, pull out the valve, firmly pinch the valve and simultaneously collapse towards the base.

Pro tip #1: When inflating, firmly pinch the valve and pull away from base. This will do 50% of the work for you before you get blowing.
Pro tip #2: Gently twist the light as you deflate for a flatter, more compact shape.

Do I have to go through all settings to turn the light off?

Nope, we created a nifty little shortcut to save the extra clicks. Simply hold down the power button for 2 seconds at any time to power off the light.

How do I close the Luci String unit without the string getting tangled/bunched?

We are continually improving our products and this is something that shouldn’t happen but if you are struggling to wind the string back without tangling, we have a couple of tips. You should ensure that you are coiling the string tightly towards the centre of the product. As you are winding it back in, give a gentle nudge and shuffle to the bulbs if they bunch up. Doing this as you go stops over-bunching and allows you to easily close the light at the end.

You say that my Luci is durable; how durable are we talking?

So durable that you can hit it with a stick, kick it, throw it, even stand on it (providing you weigh less than ~150 lbs). Our products are built to last and designed to take anything life throws at it. All of our inflatable lights can withstand up to 150 lbs of pressure. Yes, really! Our non-inflatables are just as sturdy, but we don’t recommend throwing those around as much as they are prone to more aesthetic damages. So to sum up, they’re pretty durable to say the least!

Can my light get wet?

Yes, our products love making a splash! Every Luci is completely waterproof (or water resistant), some submersible and some even float. Our inflatables, in particular, take like a duck to water. You can swim with them in the pool, kayak and paddle board with them, take them in the bathtub or hot tub, and even to the beach!

Can I leave it outside in the rain?

Yes, all of our products are waterproof! Due to the mechanisms of the String light however, it isn’t quite as waterproof as its inflatable cousins - IPX4 rating vs IP67. It can be left out in the rain but we wouldn’t recommend leaving it out in strong rain storms for extended periods or submerging it in water.

Can my light work under any temperature or in any climate?

Our products are designed to operate under very high and low temperatures. However, they have an operating temperature of 15ºF – 122°F (-10ºC – 50°C). Exposing your Luci to temperatures outside of the standard operating temperatures puts your product at risk of damage.
Our products are durable and waterproof, meaning they can withstand exposure to weather conditions like humidity, high pressure, wind, and rainfall.

Is my light safe?

Yes, all of our products are perfectly safe. Our internal batteries are protected from overheating and overcharging, as well as overcurrent and short circuit protection.

Luci Charging

How do I fully charge my light?

To charge your Luci via solar, simply place the light in direct sunlight with the solar panel side facing upwards (see product specs for charge time). The light can be placed inside or outside, as long as it’s in direct sunlight - meaning that there’s nothing blocking the sun’s rays from hitting the solar panel. Charging outside will be quicker than inside on your windowsill, for example, as the window blocks some of the light and slows down charging.

Pro tip: If the light is tilted slightly towards the sun (25º-35º), it can decrease the charge time by ~20%!

To charge your inflatable light via USB (see separate guidance for Luci String), insert the USB cord provided into the USB port on the base panel, and then insert the other end into a USB outlet. Ensure both ends are firmly in position and check that the Battery Level Indicator lights are flashing - this means that the light is charging.

To charge your String Lights via USB:

1.      Make sure that you are using the USB plug on the end of the string, NOT plugging a USB cable into the side of the String Lights case. The USB port on the side of the case is for recharging other devices from the Luci String, not for charging the Luci String itself.

2.      Insert the USB plug copper side up into a USB port, it might be a tight fit, but that is to ensure it has a solid connection with the fittings on the inside of the USB port.

3.      If the USB plug is inserted properly, the four indicator lights on the solar panel side of the case will begin blinking.

What is “Direct Sunlight”?

Direct sunlight means that the sun’s light is directly hitting the solar panel. Solar panels always need direct sunlight to charge. If in doubt, think of it this way; if you were Luci and you were able to directly see the sun, then you would be in direct sunlight!

It’s cloudy, will my light still charge?

Yes, but it will charge at a slower rate than on a bright, clear day. As your Luci charges via the red and violet frequencies of visible light, the charge times will vary based on the UV index or overcast skies. Generally speaking, the higher the UV index, the faster the charge.

What’s the difference between charging the light via USB or the solar panel?

Speed! Charging via USB is ~6x faster than via solar due to the input power. Whether charging via solar or USB however, the outcome remains the same - a full battery charge. Our advice is to charge via solar for a natural source of power, but if you’re in a pinch (or in the UK in a typical summer!), charge via USB.

Do I need to activate the solar charger?

No activation needed. Simply place the light in direct sunlight with the solar side up, and the sun’s rays will do the rest.

Can I charge your products from my car dashboard?

We advise against charging on a car dashboard. On a hot summer day, your car dashboard can reach temperatures of up to 160ºF (71°C) which exceeds the temperature limit of our products - 122°F (50°C).

Will my light charge under indoor lighting?

Luci charges via the red and violet frequencies of visible light. Very hot objects like the sun generate significant red and violet frequencies. Your ordinary indoor fluorescent or incandescent lights aren’t quite as hot as the sun, so they emit a tiny fraction of that UV. We recommend you go straight to the source and put your Luci directly in the sunlight from a windowsill or, for the best results, outside! Luci is durable and completely waterproof.

How much charge does my light retain when not in use?

Depending on the model, if your light is fully charged and not in use, it should retain the charge for ~3 years. An unused light will only lose ~3% battery per month. We specifically built these lights to be reliable and ready for whenever you need them!

We recommend charging your light every 6 months or so, even when you aren’t using it. This way your light will have a near capacity charge when you need it.

Will the battery be damaged if left in the sun after charging?

No, our products can withstand temperatures up to 122ºF (50°C) and getting a continuous solar charge won’t affect the battery in a meaningful way. The battery is protected from overheating and overcharging. Just make sure your light is deflated if leaving out for an extended period in extreme heat as it can expand and warp slightly.

We hope that's answered any questions you have, but if not, just get in touch!