Carmanah M550 - Marine Lantern Manual

INTRODUCTION

The M550 Solar Marine Lantern is:

• Self-contained and solar-powered
• Easy-to-install and low-maintenance with a long-life LED
• Available in red, green, white, yellow and blue
• Easy-to-maintain with replaceable AA NiMH batteries

Nominal range of a lantern depends on its effective intensity and environmental conditions. For details on how to calculate range, see www.carmanahmarine.com.

APPLICATIONS

The M550 can be used for:

• 1-3 NM marine aid-to-navigation (ATON)
• Private aid-to-navigation (PATON)
• Dock & marina light
• General purpose marking light
  

INSTALLATION

Year-round, unrestricted solar exposure is critical to longterm performance. Shade dramatically reduces the ability of the light to charge its battery.
The M550 has changeable mounts. Ensure either the 2-hole flange mount or pole mount is attached before lantern installation.

OPERATION

In daylight, the solar panel charges the battery using the Energy Management System (EMS). The capacity of the battery ensures that even with poor levels of sunlight over an extended period, the lantern has enough reserve power to continue to perform reliably. Stored battery energy then powers the LED during the night.
The change from night-to-day or day-to-night is called a transition. To avoid false transitions and ensure stable operation, the transition time is 2 minutes. For example, 2 minutes of dark is needed for the lantern to switch to night operation.

PROGRAMMING

The M550 is configured using the IR programmer. The lantern's mating IR receiver is on an energy-saving sleep cycle.
Press and hold for 2 seconds to awaken the IR receiver and begin communication with the lantern:
The lantern is now ready to accept programming. Note that the lantern will quickly flash after every key it receives. All programming codes follow the same sequence:

The number symbol # represents 0 - 9. Commands can be rejected if they are unsupported, contain an incorrect key sequence, or have an effective intensity too high for the programmed flash code.

POLE MOUNT

Install the Pole Mount

1. Apply a thin coating of silicone lubricant to the polemount o-ring
2. Use the alignment keys to align the top cover and pole mount.
   
3. Attach the mount to the top cover using the provided 6
   

Up to 6 bird deterrents can be installed:

1. Insert a mounting screw through the bird deterrent
2. Install the screw. Do not over tighten!
3. Bend bird deterrent as needed
   

To install the lantern:

1. If required, insert the reducing sleeve into the pole mount. Note that it aligns only one way.
2. Slide the lantern and sleeve over the pole; press down to ensure lantern is well seated.
3. Secure with the provided 3 screws; if required, drill 1/8 - 9/64 in. [3.2 - 3.6 mm] pilot holes and then install the screws.
   

2-HOLE FLANGE MOUNT

To attach the 2-hole flange mount

1. Use the alignment keys to align the top cover and flange mount. Press together.
   
2. Attach the mount to the top cover using the provided 3 screws (). Do not over tighten!
3. Apply a thin coat of silicone lubricant to the bottom cover o-ring.
4. Align the bottom cover and press into the top cover. It only fits one way.
5. Secure the bottom cover with the provided 3 screws (). Do not over tighten!
   

Up to 4 bird deterrents can be installed:

1. Insert the provided screw through the bird deterrent
2. Drive the screw into one of the 4 small holes on the top of the mount. Do not over tighten!
3. Bend the bird deterrent as required.
   

To install the lantern:
Fix in place with 2x bolts, studs & nuts, nails or screws. Recommended bolt size is 1/4-20 UNC or M6.

SETTING THE FLASH

To set the flash pattern, enter its flash code using the IR programmer. Flash codes are listed in a table at the end of this document.
Example:

SETTING THE INTENSITY

The M550 is programmed using Effective Intensity. Effective Intensity is the brightness of a flashing light as perceived by the human eye (as opposed to Peak Intensity which is the actual intensity of a light during a flash). Effective Intensity is calcluated using the following equation:

The M550 makes this calculation automatically based on your programmed flash code and Effective Intensity selected. Note that for a fixed/steady-burning light (code 001), effective intensity equals peak intensity. The range of intensity codes are:
600 0.1 - 0.4 effective cd
601 1 effective cd
602 2 effective cd
...
6## Maximum values vary by flash code and LED colour
Example:

Product performance varies by installation location. Go to carmanahmarine.com/selector to determine the recommended intensity for your location.

TURNING ON/OFF

In "on" mode, the M550 LED turns on at night and off during the day. In "off" mode, the lantern charges in sunlight, but the LED remains off. When turned on again, the lantern activates at its last programmed settings (1 minute preview for daytime activations).

Option 1: Switched Models
Set the switch to on or off position

Option 2: IR Programmer
Press and hold 4 seconds. The lantern LED will fade on or off to confirm your setting change.

CHECKING BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE (SOC)

Using the IR programmer, enter: or
Good battery SOC > 75%
Charge battery SOC 30 - 75%
Low battery SOC < 30%, LVD Active
If the battery is < 30%, Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) disables the LED, attempts to charge the battery to a sustainable SOC. The LED is re-enabled once SOC is >30%.

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL

During periods of sustained poor solar charging, Automatic Light Control (ALC) may decrease LED intensity based on battery SOC and recent charging trends. When solar charging returns to a sustainable level, ALC increases intensity back to the user setting. ALC may be disabled to keep the lantern at a constant intensity.
Enable ALC:
Disable ALC:

SPECIFICATIONS

Visit www.carmanahmarine.com for complete specifications

BATTERY CHARGING

The batteries are best charged inside the lantern. The M550 can recharge 0 V or 0% SOC batteries back to 100% SOC:

A commercial charger designed for 1.2 V AA batteries can also be used.
Do not use a battery charger with >370 mA charge rate. High charge rates will over heat the batteries and cause internal damage.
Take care when charging using a lamp. Provide air circulation or a fan so that lantern and batteries do not exceed max. temperature.

BATTERY INSTALLATION

The M550 comes with 3x AA industrial-grade, high-temperature NiMH batteries. The M550 will only operate with all 3x batteries installed correctly. The lantern remembers its settings even when the batteries are removed.
Other rechargeable AA NiMH batteries will not void your warranty. However, shock, vibration, temperature, and optical performance may be limited.
To install batteries:

1. Apply a thin coat of silicone lubricant to the large sealing o-ring
2. Install batteries noting their polarity
   
3. Align top cover and assembly components; secure with the provided screws. Do not over tighten!

FLASH CODES

Maximum effective intensity varies by flash code and color. "FL" is the flash duration (sec) and "EC" is an eclipse (sec). Intensities are IALA values (10th percentile) over a 360° horizontal measurement.

STORAGE

Turn the lantern off to store. In switched models, set the switch to the "off" position. To turn off using the IR programmer, press and hold for 4 seconds.

• If a lantern detects continuous dark for 24 hrs, it will disable the LED. Upon sensing light, it will enable the LED and continue normal operation
• Check the battery state of charge every 1 - 2 months and charge if required
• High-grade NiMH batteries shipped with the M550 can be stored without any charging for up to 12 months with no battery damage

TROUBLESHOOTING

MAINTENANCE

Although the M550 is maintenance-free, performance gains can be made. Clean with water and a soft sponge or cloth. A mild non-abrasive cleanser can be used for more stubborn residue. Clean more frequently during drier months as dust accumulates more quickly. Check the exterior and o-rings for cracks, missing or broken hardware.

Email: customerservice@carmanah.com
Toll Free: 1.877.722.8877 (US & Canada)
Worldwide: 1.250.380.0052
Fax: 1.250.380.0062
Web: carmanah.com