Maughold Head lighthouse

Electric motors driving final gearshaft via automatic clutch	Final gear driveThe decision was taken to retain the existing lens and motorise the drive ie.bypass the clockwork drive.To retain the 250 watt Multi-vapour lamp but add a lampchanger 250 Watt multi-vapour lamps + lampchanger
Before automation when the light was put out in the morning the curtains were drawn to stop the sun shining back through the lens,after automation there was nobody to draw the curtains so the lens now revolves continually. At dusk the photo-electric cells(Takes two out of three to agree)informs the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to "Light-up". 240 V.ac supplies the battery chargers,the batteries then supply 24 V dc.to the invertor(changes 24 V.dc.to 240 V.ac.)which then powers the Optic system. If power were to fail the Multi-Vapour Lamp takes about ten minutes to cool down and relight,as the invertors are supplied from the batteries,mains supply failure is immaterial. The lampchanger is a Nav-Aids System NALC-89 Lamp current is monitored along with a photoelectric monitor,if current is out of set limits or insufficient light is monitored the PLC signals an electric solenoid which activates a trip lever which allows the spring loaded spindle to bring reserve lamp to focal center. It switches off main lamp contactor and switches on reserve lamp contactor,also shows "system abnormal" and "lampchanger operated" on Optic Control cubicle and sends a signal to Monitoring Center that lampchanger has operated. If reserve lamp fails the same current and photoelectric monitors tell the PLC to select Emergency Lights and signals Monitoring Center that emergency lights have been selected Operation of lampchanger always requires a visit by RLK or Technician since a manual reset is required. Battery specification is to power the light for a minimum of 36 hours or two winter nights of 18 hours duration,after which the emergency light will be selected,the batteries should then power the emegency light for a minimum of 14 days.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Battery Chargers	Two sets 24 Volt.1000Amp.Hr.Batteries
. The optic control cubiclce gives the attendant/technicians an indication of which power supply and motor is in use,whether the lens is running fast or slow,whether the lampchanger has operated,optic voltage and current etc. Otherwise a laptop computer with apropriate program is required to interrogate the controller.
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Invertors 24 V.DC to 240 V.AC	Optic Control Cubicle
An internal view of Optic Control Cubicle. What it took to replace the Lightkeeper?
Emergency Light Orga 250mm lantern Type FML 302 SA	Any time the main optic is off, the emergency light is selected,which operates with its own photo-electric cell. Light source 60 watt bi-filament lamp. Part of the attendants duties is to check operation of the emergency light and that it is still using the No.1 filament. Other duties include physical check of security and condition of buildings,cleaning and checking systems are running within set parameters,the first one called out if anything reported amiss. Technicians visit at least annually to check,modify and update equipment as required.
Point of Ayre Lighthouse Similar system to Maughold Head Main differences a 400 watt lamp instead of 250 watt. Eventually three phase motors instead of single phase. Gave a more gradual power take up and saved wear on gearbox clutches Character change Originally every other of the sixteen bullseye lens and the top and lower catoptric lens had a red shaded panel covering them(Which are focussed on every other of the bullseyes lens which gave red and white lights of the same intensity.) The lens rotated once every eight minutes,which gave White-Red flash every 30 seconds. Showing part of top catoptric lens ____________ Showing part of lower catoptric lens Todays lens showing black blanking panels On automation the top and lower red shades were replaced by blanking panels The red shades were removed from the bullseye lens, eight lens were blanked off to give four clear-four blank etc and the rotation set at a revolution every 40 seconds giving the character FL(4)20 sec. Faster flash was required due to ships moving faster?
Douglas Head Lighthouse Control Panel_______________________ Sealed Beam Lamp Array The metal panels in front of the lamps are called collimators,whose purpose is to give a sharper more defined flash. RLK or Technicians view when changing lamps Circuit of sealed beam lamps____________________AGA PRB21A--Gearless Drive Unit Lighting up again controlled by photo electric cells Two double banked units of 12 lamps mounted facing in opposite directions,turned by an AGA PRB21 Gearless Drive Unit rotating at 3 rpm,gives a flash every 10 seconds. Only 8 of the lamps (30 Volt 200 Watt) run at 25 Volt 150 Watts to give increased service life are used in normal operation 4 in each bank are 6 Volt 28.5 Watts used as emergency lamps (Loss of mains electric power or complete failure of main lamp banks) Corresponding lamps (4) in each bank are connected in series,if one lamp fails all four go out,which gives each unit the same intensity,similarly with the 6 volt lamps,two connected in series.Power provided by emergency batteries. Emergency light is a 250 mm Lantern mounted on the balcony rail. Operation of the optic system is monitored by NLB's Monitoring center. Which is informed when the main light goes on and off,lens speed fast or slow,50% and 100% lamp failure and various voltages and currents. If anything goes wrong the monitoring center is informed or they can contact and interrogate the system
Langness Lighthouse ML300 Lanterns mounted bi-form_____________ Twin filament lamp with typical controller Twin Tideland ML300 lanterns with synchronised operation,integral photo-electric cell,bi-filament lamps,automatic changeover if one fails. May 2012 Replaced by Pelangi 6 lamp autochanger with 12 volt 50 watt bulbs Both lights are used in normal operation,so also act as back-up for each other,failure of one light giving reduced range. Operating current is monitored,which lets the monitoring center know when the lamps are on. Various battery charging voltage and current readings also available to monitoring center. New style lanterns 2018 Douglas Head Sealite Lanterns Type SL-300-1D5-2 Operational 18/1/2018 All Lanterns flash in normal operation Maughold Head Sealite Lanterns Type SL-300-1D5-1 Operational 17/1/2018

All photographs Copyright Fred Fox