M850 Solar Powered LED Marine Lantern for 3 to 6+ NM Range

The M850 combines a compact, high-efficiency solar engine with premium components and a rugged design for best-in-class performance at an optimal price. This lantern is suitable for use in most solar locations.

As with all modes of transport, the lighting systems used by the night are imperative to the vehicle’s safety. Ships, being enormous constructs, needs lighting systems too! In fact, the lighting system in place for a vessel is integral to the safe navigation of the vessel; in fact, it is one of THE MOST important aspects of nautical studies emphasised on in college as well as for competency exams.

The primary function of marine navigation lights is to aid prevention of any major accident from happening. All boats – whether big or small are required to have night lights as a part of the navigation systems. This system was introduced in the year 1838 by the United States and then was followed by the United Kingdom in 1849.

In the year 1889, the International Maritime Conference was established by the United States to establish proper guidelines to prevent marine accidents. In the year 1897, these rules were officially adopted internationally. The colour of the lights that were required to be used as specified by a set of rules passed in the UK. On the basis of this rule, three colours were chosen: red, green and white. Even today, the marine navigation lighting consists of these three colours.

Lights aren’t just to indicate one’s own status as a vessel for identification by other vessels in the vicinity but also vice versa. It is probably the most important aspect when complying with COLREGS in order to ascertain the status of any vessel in order to take the appropriate action as per COLREGS. PART C of the COLREGS published by the IMO is titled as LIGHTS AND SHAPES and lays out all necessary information with regard to lights and the specificity of their usage for different types of vessels.

There is a pattern in which these lights are set up on the ships and boats in conjunction with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Buoyage Systems. The pattern can be explained below :

• There is a light at the right-hand side of the boat (right side when facing the bow of the vessel known as the starboard side) which is green in colour.
• There is a light at the left-hand side of the boat (left side when facing the bow of the vessel is known as the port side) which is red in colour.

Both the sidelights show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees such that from right ahead it can be viewed to 22.5 degrees shaft on either side.

• • A white light is also placed at the back of the boat (known as the stern side). This shows an unbroken light over an arc of horizon of 135 degrees and fixed to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side.
  • The mast of the boat also has to have night lights. The colour of this light is white. Two mastheads lights are in place, with the second one shaft of and higher than the first, when the length of the vessel is greater than 50 metres. Shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft on either side.

• Option for standard or wide divergences (for fixed or floating applications).
• Multiple cost-effective battery pack options suitable for a wide variety of installation locations.
• Built-in calendar function for automatic de-activation during off-season months.
• Top-mounted 4-character LED display with simple »tap to activate« functionality.
• Premium grade, UV resistant polycarbonate lens material.
• Environmentally friendly, super durable powdercoated aluminium chassis.
• Adjustable intensity and range.
• IP 68 rated.
• GPS synchronized flash option.

Technical Specification M850

Optical performance

Maximum fixed intensity
M850	239 cd	290 cd	445 cd	320 cd

Main Technical Specification

Lens visual/Mechanical diameter	111 mm
Construction	Premium grade, UV-resistant polycarbonate lens/head and polycarbonate/polysiloxane co-polymer base
Light source	High Flux Surface Mount LEDs with colour-specific temperature-corrected LED driver
Solar module	High-efficiency cells; MPPT
Battery	Multiple replaceable, recyclable battery options (refer to options matrix)
Degree of ingress protection	P 68 immersion
Weight	4.5 kg M850 60X,5.3 kg M850 96E
Overall height	226 mm
Overall width	235 mm dia.
Installation	3, 4, or 5 x M12 on 200 mm dia.

 

Order Overview M850

Option matrix