So I am planning to put lights on our buoys that are the entrance to our station gate but......the gate is right in front of the waterway, and I don't want to give off any false information to boaters. Is there a low powered lamp I could use, or should I go to a different color all together; like hot pink and purple rain
I would recommend against using the lantern (presumably a 155) if there's any chance that it may be seen by a mariner. If they are to be used, I would use a clear lens rather than a red/green so that they aren't mistaken as a lateral aid. In any case, ensure that your district DPW staff knows about them and concurs with their placement.
How bout blocking the side of the latern that will face the water way? If you are using a 155mm you could blank the inside of the lantern by taping off and spraying your own blanking panel with some flat black spray paint. This way it can blink all around with the exception of the part facing the waterway. Without actually seeing your set up I can't actually give you a really good Idea on what to do.
Lol, I am part of the local ANT. The station we are at requested them to be blinking pretty. The ANT team is kind of nondirectional in the matter, so I'm trying to spearhead the information gathering.
I will double check if the DPW knows about their placement. They have been in place as decommissioned buoys for some time now; from what I am told.
I like the idea about using clear lenses. That would take the question out of the equation.
Also, I'm advocating for a white batterybox placed outside of the buoy. A supervisor of mine says we should place the batteries inside the buoy in order to keep everything neat. I feel since the buoy is not in the water there would be no cooling properties inside the buoy. Am I correct in saying during summer heat a buoy outside of water with a solar battery, would be like placing a solar battery inside an oven?
You'll be fine with the batteries inside the buoy. It would be best if equipped with an external battery box instead of putting them in the tubes. Just make sure that the vent tubes are in place and not plugged up. Check valves aren't necessary in this application.
You main problem is the release of hydrogen gas, not cooling. These batteries don't generate much heat through solar recharging.
If the lights are not right by the water where there is other AtoN, you'll probably be fine with the red/green lenses. But it's always best to get dpw to bite off on it first.
...is your OIC helping you out with this issue too?
Jamie, are you from Guam? Your last name is common there...
Jamie, are you from Guam? Your last name is common there...
lol, I grew up feeling so special; thinking my last name was complete uniques. Then I find out my last name is everywhere in Guam. Talk about shooting a person's ego out of the sky....
Yeah, I'm half Chomorrow, but I haven't been there since I was a child. I also was not raise there, someday I'll go back; but I'm also not too fond of how racist my culture in Guam can be.
Go to any home depot or menards and get a set of solar garden lights. Then just place them in an empty aid fo asthetics. They'll be low powered so you don't have to worry about vessel traffic. They will not have battery issues. And best of all, no maintance.
I wouldn't think any 'gate lights' would be a problem for those in boats... I would also put in a low wattage bulb, 110, not blinking... Always worked for me...
Try using a fully self contained LED lantern (low nominal range) & not worry about batteries and lamps. You can also program them to whatver characteristic you want. Don't forget to obscure the areas facing the waterway & If you talk to dpw, talk to the TRATEAM BMCS/BMCM/GS-12 - they will likely tell you the same thing. Otherwise, see if you can locate some 200mm lanterns (anti-theft bolt down the brass ones!)
Good idea on the LED's, but seeing as though they are well over $1000/ea, I would never "give" one to a Station for the boat docks! Its hard enough loosing dozens of these to tugs/barges each year who decide to plow over our TRLB's and carry them for miles to never be found!
Once you get the electric ones hooked up you can put them on a timer and no worries... They also will work well on those long cloudy days.... Mine are in the brass 200mm.... don't think you can find many of them any more....
JamieDrift, Are you new to the Coast Guard? First of all, it's Ant, not Ant Team, Aids to Navigation Team(ANT). Second, lights flash, they do not blink. Learn your terminology. Have you used any of the excellent idea's given in this forum since you spearheaded this plan 4 months ago? Can you post a picture of what you went with so the rest of us Aton Sailors have an idea for our present units.
