The VLB-44 is a lighthouse optical system designed and built by Vega Industries Ltd. in Porirua, New Zealand.[1]
Components
editThe VLB-44 consists of one to eight tiers of LED bulb assemblies. Each tier draws approximately ten Watts. The tiers are available in 3 vertical divergences:
- 2.5 degrees, for use in fixed lighthouses
- 5 degrees, for use on pole lights on land
- 10 degrees, for buoys
They are available in white, red, green, blue, and yellow.
The light output and timing is controlled within tight limits. All of the features, including characteristic, day/night transition time, and synchronization is programmable with an IR programmer. The units are expected to have a service life greater than ten years, depending on characteristic and duty cycle.[1]
End of an Era
editFrom the first use of lighthouses with flashing lights, the light source has been continuous. Turning a flame on and off was impractical and flashing an incandescent electric lamp reduces its life substantially. The characteristic seen by the observer has been achieved by rotating a lens system. Since LEDs can be flashed on and off without degrading their lives, it appears that the use of rotating beacons in lighthouses is coming to an end.[2]
Examples of Lights using the VLB-44
edit| Light | Characteristic | Range, nm |
|---|---|---|
| Isles of Shoals Light, New Hampshire | Fl W 15s | 14 |
| Point Loma Light, California | Fl W 15s | 22 |
| Wood Island Light, Maine | Alt W&G 10s | 13 |
References
edit- ^ a b Vega Industries, Ltd. files/vlb-44.pdf "VLB-44 LED Marine Beacon" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Bob Trapani, Jr. (2009-09-03). "Vega VRB-25 – Last of the Lighthouse Rotating Beacons as We Know Them".