Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy my own Balloominator™?

Check out this page to find the places you can buy Balloominators online, balloon decorators who create custom creations with balloon lights or to find a retail store near you. You can also use our online ordering system to buy some right now!

Are they safe to use with children?

Yes and No. You can use them as decorations around young children, but they do contain small parts and constitute a choking hazard and poison risk if swallowed. All balloons and the Balloominator ™ should only be used under close adult supervision and must be kept out of the reach of children under the age of (7) seven. Use in balloons containing inert gasses only like air or helium. If swallowed seek medical attention immediately.

What kinds of balloons do they work in?

The Balloominator balloon lights work in any latex balloon or "Mylar" foil balloons with clear windows through to the inside. While they work best in standard shaped latex balloons, they can create interesting effects in small and giant balloons alike or those in unique shapes like hearts or animals. You can even use them in twist balloon sculpture to accent certain sections of your twist balloons.

Will they float in helium balloons?

Yes! You will have the best success with balloons 12" and larger, but the Balloominator™ was specifically designed to float in helium filled balloons. At only 2.5 grams, most "helium grade" balloons will not notice the extra weight of the Balloon Light.

Are they compatible with Hi-Float™ or disk ties?

Yes again! The Balloominator is completely Hi-Float compatible and can be used with any commercial tie off devices or disk ties.

Do they work underwater or in swimming pools?

You know they do! A bunch of illuminated balloons in a swimming pool makes for a great wedding backdrop, romantic evening or pool party spectacle! Also looks great in hot tubs, ponds, lakes and even aquariums! With or without the balloon, the Balloominators are totally water proof. The inventor's children dive for them in the pool at night and our webmaster loves to play with them in the hot tub or drop them into the drinks of unsuspecting people!

How fast do the balloons flash and how bright are they?

They flash at a rate of 1-3 flashes per second. The brightness depends on many things including: the opacity of the balloon, the room light levels, the size of the balloon and the proper placement of the balloominator inside the balloon. For best results, use in a low light situation like you would see at a bar, restaurant, night club, prom dances and so forth with slightly opaque balloons in a color similar to the color of the balloominator™ used. Then align the top of the balloominator™ with the edge of the balloons lower arc for maximum effect. We have found super bright white and the blue color to be the brightest in most balloons. Great for use outside after dark and you won't believe how bright they are! You can see them for blocks.

How long do Balloominators™ last?

While the LED's will last approx. 100,000 hours the batteries will produce ultra bright light for 3-4 hours and then it slowly diminishes over a 24 -48 hour period. They give a pretty good amount of light 12-16 hours before requiring a battery change. This is usually all night, unless you live really far north where it is dark for days, you should be able to enjoy your illuminated balloons the whole night through. Don't forget you can turn them off and increase their life too.

What are they made of and how big are they?

Since the balloon lights need to be small, light weight and inexpensive, they have been designed and constructed of light weight plastics and brass plating and have the latest in super bright LED technology with an optically clear custom designed lens. The actual dimensions of each unit are 1 1/8" long x 7/16" in diameter and they each weigh in around 2/16oz or 2.5 grams. More info...

How do I turn them on?

Once the Balloonminator is securely inside the balloon, you simply have to hold the top of the unit while turning the bottom clockwise. Keep turning until the LED comes on. Reverse the process to turn them off.

Mine is not working. What can I do?

Sometimes you may find a Balloominator™ that does not feel like turning on right away. These products were designed with simplicity in mind and they have no moving parts to fail other than the screw in base, but sometimes they may suffer damage or some bouncing around during shipping or storage. LED's have a life expectancy in the thousands of hours and are extremely resistant to damage other than total crushing or electrical overload and any problem is usually related to dead or improperly inserted batteries or bad contact between the batteries and the inside walls of the balloon light rather than a "burned out bulb". We have found problem units to be a small percentage and the malfunction has always been solved by following these simple steps.

• Take the unit apart by unscrewing the base all the way. Be careful to catch the very small parts that may fall out.
  
• Remove the batteries. (the flat part with writing should be facing towards the base and readable when you unscrew it)
  
• Check inside to see if anything has shifted around in transit and generally look to see if you see anything obviously broken or cracked or a reason there might not be a good electrical connection. If your batteries are wrapped in tape, try removing it.
  
• Check to make sure your batteries are good by trying them in a known working unit or replace the batteries with some you know to be charged and working.
  
• Reassemble the unit and screw the base all the way in until the LED lights up. Always make sure you are screwing the base in all the way to turn the unit on.
  
• If you are still having troubles, unscrew the base again and see if the LED will turn on when you push the batteries all the way in and to the side with your fingers. If the LED lights up then the batteries are not making contact somewhere and a little playing around with battery placement may be required. Try rearranging them or twisting them.
  
• In the rare event you do get a defective unit that still does not work after trying everything above, contact us for instructions on getting a replacement or for further ideas. As with any product, if you absolutely need a certain number of lights, we suggest buying a couple extra just in case. It's a cheap insurance policy and you can always use the extras somewhere when they are not needed!

Can I reuse them by replacing the batteries?

Yes you can. The batteries are readily available in most electronic shops as the AG13 or LR41 button battery. But you probably don't want to. A battery set at RADIO SHACK® runs about three times the retail value of a Balloon Light! Since the factory buys millions of batteries at a time, they are able to deliver two sets and a balloominator for far less than you can buy the batteries alone. When ours run out of batteries, we take them apart and use them in modeling and art or science projects with the kids! LED's are a blast to play with and they work with old AA batteries out of your remote control too!

A night balloon release sounds really cool!

Doesn't it though! Imagine how amazing that would be with all those blinking balloons floating into the heavens.... Unless you are under them when they come crashing back to earth like a bullet from three miles up! Besides, do you really want the neighbors calling the authorities and local news crews because UFOs are coming from your house or blinking blue alien bullets from outer space are raining down on their cars?

NEVER use a balloominator in any balloon that is not securely tethered to avoid accidental release into the air! Always secure any helium balloons when using them outdoors to prevent harm to property, pets, children and the environment from accidental releases of harmful or non biodegradable materials like a Balloominator™, foil balloons, or synthetic ribbons and decorations.

Remember "what goes up must come down" and even something as light as these balloon lights can cause serious damage to property and possible death or serious bodily harm to anyone hit by one falling from the altitudes where helium filled latex balloons freeze and disintegrate. A Balloominator in the wild poses a choking hazard to children, pets and wild animals. A falling balloominator hitting the wrong house or hurting someone can result in legislation against helium balloons or criminal and civil prosecution of those responsible for purposefully releasing Balloominator equipped balloons or performing outdoor mass balloon releases that result in harm or damage.

Don't ruin the fun for everyone. Help keep the world a safe and clean place for all to enjoy by using your balloons responsibly and disposing of old units in an appropriate manner (we like to take them apart and create toy models, art and science projects with the kids! Old AA batteries out of your remote control work great with a little wire or battery holder like you can get at electronic stores.)

Remember, there is no harm in a few balloons tied to some kite string in a large park or field! Just secure the Balloominators™ to the string with some tape or other fastener to avoid potential falling hazards in case of popping and have a great time with your new UFO kite and all the attention you will get! It really is a blast while safe and environmentally sensitive too!

Where can I get ideas for using Balloon Lights?

Click here for the latest in Balloon Light uses and tips!

Can I buy in Bulk?

Yes, we offer Balloominators™ without any retail packaging and in bulk. Please contact us at info@ballumination.com for more information.

Do you have any that are always on? Glowing balloons sound cool.

Not yet, but by popular demand they are in development and will be on the market the last quarter of 2004. Watch our Press Releases page for the much anticipated release of this model.