In January of 2004 Nuytco Research conducted a 20 day training program for scientists, astronauts, and heavy construction specialists at Texas A&M University’s Offshore Technology Research Center. The facility offers a 100’ x 150’ x 20’ deep test tank which was used for training the DeepWorker pilot candidates.

Much of the training was done in the dark to enhance the realism of the experience for the students; it also made for this unique photo opportunity. The image below illustrates the dramatic performance demonstration of the Newtlite versus the conventional quartz light.


The photo here is an overhead view of the ORTC’s wave basin. For scale; the lights are mounted approximately 20 feet apart, and DeepWorker is approximately 7 feet long. From left to right are a 1000W quartz light, 600W Newtlite (HMI), and a 200W Newtlite (HMI). The performance difference is undeniable. Saying quartz lamps will ‘do the job’ is no longer true..

Product summary:

With the continued success of the Deep Worker 2000 submersible, and increasing demands from the film and commercial video industry, Nuytco required a high performance lamp for high-end video and worksite lighting applications.

The Nuytco requirement called for an ultra-reliable, lightweight, high efficiency lighting system with HMI performance. A critical requirement was the ability to vary the output for different lighting requirements. Being unable to source available hardware that met our specifications for in-water weight, cost and depth, Nuytco designed and built the Newtlite 200W, 600W, and 1200W.
Metal halide lamps produce roughly 4-5 times more light (per watt) than their quartz counterparts. This tremendous increase in luminous efficacy, coupled with the jump in colour temperature to 5600K, makes for a very unfair comparison (see shootout). In addition, the lack of a filament in the Newtlite makes it nearly impervious to shock.

Both HMI and MSR lamps deliver abundant true white light at 5600 degrees Kelvin for ideal colour rendering. The Newtlite uses a combination electronic ballast and light head. This combination is lightweight and eliminates the multiple failure points associated with the extra cabling and bulkheads required for remotely ballasted systems. It also keeps the ignition voltages of 10- 20,000 volts safely away from operators and wet-mateable connectors. All Newtlites support HMI, HID, MSR, and CDM bulbs and are fully HOT RESTRIKEABLE. All ballasts also have the ability to be hot trimmed down as low as 50% of maximum output. The Newtlite provides 85% plus efficiency and is capable of operating on 120/240 VAC, 210-300 VDC, or 12/24 VDC with suitable converter. A portable diver-held Newtlite with a DC battery pack is also available.

The ability to move easily between different bulbs and voltage requirements allows the user to customize the lighting systems specification to suit their requirements. Whether the job requires the colour resolution of the HMI or the long burn time economy of the CDM, the Newtlite can provide it all. Due to wide input voltage ranges, Newtlites can easily handle the dramatic fluctuations in line voltage associated with ROV’s and diver umbilical.