Making waves with a new generation of solar LED marine lanterns

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Carmanah Technologies Corporation, Victoria, BC, Canada

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From guiding vessels through San Francisco Bay to lighting the waters of Sydney Harbour, solar-powered LED lighting has revolutionised marine operations around the world. With a bright, crisp light source visible from up to six nautical miles away, a self-contained solar LED lantern can replace an entire incandescent system and virtually eliminate ongoing maintenance requirements for up to five years.

Deployed by coast guards, port authorities, marinas and navies around the world, solar LED (light emitting diode) technology has set the standard for a convenient, reliable and cost-effective alternative for illuminating aids-to-navigation systems.

New LED technology

Canadian manufacturer Carmanah Technologies Corporation of Victoria, British Columbia, designed and built the first selfcontained solar-powered LED lanterns more than a decade ago. Continual innovation and product development has resulted in a complete suite of solar LED lanterns, offering a range of capabilities, functions and visibilities that leverage the unique benefits of combining solar technology with LEDs.

Thanks to recent innovations, Carmanah is now making waves through applying the latest LED technology. Effectively doubling the raw lumen output of its previous  optical assembly, the new LEDs enable a larger illumination area and smoother light gradient. The result is a solar-powered lighting application that is brighter and more energy efficient than ever before.

Next-generation solar LED marine lantern  This new LED technology paved the way for Carmanah to launch the company’s most powerful marine lantern to date – the M708 solar LED marine lantern. Combining an advanced optical design with high-efficiency solar modules and high-efficacy LEDs, the M708 produces a minimum 125 candela at the highest intensity setting, for an impressive output of up to six nautical miles.  Like other Carmanah solar LED lanterns, the M708 houses all  components, including photovoltaic panels, batteries and sophisticated electronic controls within a polycarbonate/polymer lamp housing. The compact, all-in-one  device can be transported easily, installed in minutes, and left to operate reliably for years, maintenance free. Designed to operate dependably in the harshest
conditions, the M708 can easily withstand immersions, vibrations, impacts and extreme temperatures ranging from -30ºC to 50ºC (-22ºF to 122ºF).

Building on these attractive features, the M708 adds four 4-watt side solar panels, an integrated, optional bird deterrent, 7º divergence, and a visual colour indicator inside the clear optical lens. For maximum versatility, the M708 can be set for three ranges: low (minimum 25 candela peak intensity); medium (minimum 60 candela peak intensity); and high (minimum 125 candela peak intensity).

For applications requiring multiple lanterns, an optional global positioning satellite (GPS) feature enables two or more units to be synchronised to flash in unison. As an environmentally friendly product, the M708 is entirely RoHS compliant, designed in strict accordance with the European Union’s guidelines for the restriction of hazardous substances in electronic equipment.

Putting solar to work

Whether illuminating floating aids-to-navigation or marking the ends of commercial piers, the M708 solar LED marine lantern offers a low maintenance, high-value alternative for a wide range of navigation and hazard-marking applications. With marine operations demanding superior performance and unprecedented reliability, this new wave of LED technology will raise the bar for future solar LED marine lanterns.

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