LEUCHTIE FAQ: Your Questions — Our Answers
Answers to the questions customers ask us most often about the LED collars — choosing a model, operation, cleaning, care, warranty. You find the detailed buying guide in our LED collar guide.
Models & Buying
Which LEUCHTIE models are there — and which one suits my dog?
There are three models:
LEUCHTIE Easy Charge (USB-rechargeable NiMH battery, charged overnight about once a week depending on use) glows with constant brightness, charging station included.
LEUCHTIE Plus (2× AAA batteries, approx. 100 hours of light) — towards the end of the battery life the light slowly dims instead of failing suddenly; one set of batteries often lasts a whole winter.
LEUCHTIE Mini (2× AAAA batteries, approx. 50 hours, weighing only approx. 55 g) for small dogs.
Detailed comparison of the models: LED collar guide.
What does the Premium version with magnetic sensor mean?
By default the LEUCHTIE switches itself on and off automatically via the motion sensor. The Premium version (surcharge of €10 on all models) combines motion sensor and magnetic sensor: you can additionally switch the light on and off manually by passing the supplied magnet close over the sensor point in the light tube (opposite the tip of the battery part). Important: when the LEUCHTIE has been switched off with the magnet, the motion sensor also stays inactive until you switch it back on with the magnet.
What size does my dog need?
The LEUCHTIE size follows the head circumference: measure the head at the widest point directly in front of the ears — the band is pulled over the head. If your value lies between two sizes, choose the next smaller one. Only if the neck is wider than the head do you use the neck circumference instead. The Plus and Easy Charge come in sizes from 35 to 70 cm in 2.5 cm steps, the Mini from 25 to 32.5 cm. Step by step with pictures: our measuring guide.
Which light colour is the brightest — and which one suits long-haired dogs?
All twelve light colours are bright; neon green, turquoise and lime appear brightest, red, hot pink and sunset orange most subdued. For long-haired dogs the light colours are recommended (e.g. neon green, turquoise, white, ice blue). By the way: the steady continuous light does not disturb dogs — on the contrary, most animals seem more confident because of it. The LEUCHTIE deliberately offers no targeted flashing.
What does a LEUCHTIE cost at adorit.be?
The LEUCHTIE Mini costs from €39.99, the Plus from €49.99 and the Easy Charge from €59.99 (incl. VAT). The Premium version with magnetic sensor costs €10 more on all models. Within Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany we ship free of charge from an order value of €120.
How heavy is a LEUCHTIE?
The LEUCHTIE Mini weighs only about 55 g — which makes it very well suited for small dogs. The models from size 35 cm upwards weigh about 110 g and do not bother medium-sized and large dogs when worn either.
Operation & Sensors
How does the motion sensor work?
When the battery part points down and the dog moves, the LEUCHTIE switches on automatically. When the battery part points up, the light goes out after a delay of about one minute. For storage it is therefore best to hang the LEUCHTIE up — for example on a coat hook.
How do I switch the LEUCHTIE on and off with the magnet?
Pass the supplied magnet close over the sensor point in the light tube — it sits opposite the end of the battery part. A brief pass is enough to toggle. Alternatively, any sufficiently strong magnet works, e.g. the Easy Charge charging station. Important: keep other magnets (magnetic buckles on the collar, magnetic contacts of GPS trackers) at least about 10 cm away from the sensor, otherwise the LEUCHTIE can be switched on or off unintentionally.
Why is there no switch and no flashing light?
The LEUCHTIE philosophy: what is not there cannot break — that is why sensors take care of switching on and off. And the light deliberately glows as a steady continuous light rather than flashing, because flashing can irritate dogs and people.
What do I need to consider at first use?
Two things: On the Plus and Easy Charge you remove the red transport lock from the spring before first use (open the tube side without the size sticker). Then pull the open tube end through the two rubber rings of the enclosed connector loop to secure it to the collar or harness. Afterwards close the band again without a gap. On the Mini one battery is inserted the wrong way round at the factory as a transport lock — open the side with the size sticker and turn the battery around. Then pull the open tube end through the two rubber rings of the enclosed connector loop to secure it to the collar or harness and close everything again without play.
Batteries & Charging
How long does a LEUCHTIE glow?
Depending on the model: Mini approx. 50 hours, Plus approx. 100 hours; the Easy Charge is best charged overnight about once a week depending on use. In severe cold the light duration can turn out somewhat shorter. On all models the light slowly dims instead of going out from one second to the next — so you always have time for a battery change or for charging.
Which batteries do the Plus and Mini need?
Use brand-name alkaline batteries only — Plus: type AAA (Micro), Mini: type AAAA / LR 61. Do not insert rechargeable batteries! Replace both batteries as soon as the brightness clearly fades or the band switches itself off again shortly after being switched on, and remove both batteries during longer breaks (e.g. in summer). Pay attention to the polarity: on the Plus the red-marked tube end points to the positive pole, the blue one to the negative pole; on the Mini the battery must go into the tube on the sticker side with the negative pole first.
How often do I need to charge the Easy Charge?
Fully charge it before first use, until the red and green LEDs of the charging station glow together. After that it is enough to charge it overnight about once a week or after 10–15 hours of light. Overcharging is impossible, and the robust NiMH battery has no memory effect — charging it early even protects it. The LEDs of the charging station: green = ready, red = charging, green + red = full. The brighter the green LED, the fuller the battery.
How do I store the LEUCHTIE over the summer?
Fully charge the Easy Charge before the break and store it so that it cannot switch itself on (battery part pointing up or remove the battery part). Plus and Mini: remove both batteries. This way you avoid deep discharge and damage from possibly leaking batteries.
Water & Care
Can my dog swim with the LEUCHTIE?
Yes, LEUCHTIE collars are 100% waterproof and handle swimming, diving, mud and rain without any problem. The only important thing is that the band is correctly closed — then no water can get inside.
How do I clean the LEUCHTIE properly?
With warm water and soap or dish soap, ideally fully closed. Do not use aggressive or solvent-based cleaning agents! And never put it in the microwave — the radiation destroys the electronics instantly. If moisture has nevertheless got in: pull the light tube off the battery part and let both parts dry completely (do not place them on the heater).
Faults & Repair
My LEUCHTIE does not glow — what can I do?
Go through this list: transport lock removed and battery inserted the right way round? Batteries charged respectively full? Both batteries built in the right way round (red = positive pole, blue = negative pole)? Battery part not attached upside down? Band closed completely up to the stop — there must be no gap between tube and battery part? Contact springs straight and firmly screwed in, not kinked? If a battery has leaked, it is best to send the band in for repair.
The Easy Charge does not charge — what to do?
Check: does the green LED of the charging station glow (power supply OK)? Is the LEUCHTIE completely closed? Are the magnetic charging contacts clean? Are the battery cells still all right (after many years they can wear out)? If everything is fine and it still does not charge, it is worth looking into the manual or sending it in for service.
Can I replace spare parts myself?
Yes, the most common wear parts are available cheaply and are easy to swap: contact springs (unscrew the old spring anticlockwise, screw the new one in with 4–5 clockwise turns — blue holder on the sticker side, red on the other) and the NiMH batteries of the Easy Charge. Spare parts and accessories are available from the manufacturer (www.leuchtie.de/feder respectively /akku), and the manufacturer also offers repairs outside the warranty at a low fixed price — the LEUCHTIE is explicitly built for repairability.
Safety, Warranty & Disposal
Am I allowed to attach the lead to the LEUCHTIE?
No, the LEUCHTIE is a visibility band and not a lead collar. Do not hold the dog by the LEUCHTIE either. Pulling can pull battery part and light tube apart, and small parts can be lost. Always walk your dog on a sturdy collar or harness — for example one of our handmade dog collars. With the safety loop the Leuchtie is connected to the collar and cannot get lost that way. And note: the LEUCHTIE is not a toy; for that reason keep band, magnet and loop away from dogs and small children.
How long is my warranty?
Via adorit.be you get 2 years of warranty on every LEUCHTIE — plus your statutory warranty rights, which you can also assert with us as the retailer. Defects that go back to material or manufacturing faults we fix free of charge. After the warranty period a LEUCHTIE does not become worthless: on request the manufacturer also repairs it outside the warranty at fair prices.
How do I dispose of batteries and an old LEUCHTIE properly?
Batteries and rechargeable batteries never belong in household waste (crossed-out bin on the product): take old batteries to a collection point or a shop. Collection points for waste electrical equipment take in retired electrical devices; the manufacturer trends and more also takes old devices back (return label via [email protected] or +49 961 4708440, WEEE reg. no. DE 23706136).
More questions?
If your question was not covered here, write to us at [email protected] — we answer quickly. You find all three models in our shop, in twelve light colours and as standard or Premium version: