The SERBA (Lighting and Buoyage Service of the National Navy of Uruguay) has renewed the light source of two historic lighthouses: Cape Santa María Lighthouse and Punta Brava, also known as Punta Carretas Lighthouse.
The project aimed to preserve the original Fresnel lens systems and rotation mechanisms while ensuring greater efficiency and reliability. To achieve this, the MLL1000 LED lamp was selected, specifically designed to modernize historic lighthouses without altering their original optics.
These lighthouses, built in the 19th century, are symbols of Uruguay’s historical and cultural heritage and continue to be key reference points for maritime safety and coastal navigation.
Project Challenges
- Modernizing the light source of century-old historic lighthouses without modifying their Fresnel lenses or original rotation systems.
- Improving energy efficiency and reducing maintenance compared to traditional halogen or discharge lamps.
- Ensuring optimal and uniform luminous performance to maintain navigational safety in areas with risks such as sandbanks and strong currents.
- Integrating a system compatible with modern and renewable power sources (AC, solar, or wind) into historic structures.
Solution Provided by MSM
The MLL1000 is a high-efficiency LED lamp designed to integrate into historical glass optics, such as the first- and fourth-order Fresnel lenses of Cape Santa María and Punta Brava Lighthouses. Its main advantages include:
- Preservation of the original focal point, ensuring beam accuracy and proper flash definition.
- Superior energy efficiency, reducing consumption and maintenance needs.
- Long service life (up to 200,000 hours) with stable luminous output over time.
- Compatibility with different power supplies (AC/DC, solar, or wind), enabling installation in historic lighthouses.
- Optical system that creates a 360º virtual light source using a single LED diode, providing uniformity and constant luminous power.
Thanks to the installation of the MLL1000, both lighthouses preserve their historical value while incorporating state-of-the-art technology to guarantee maritime safety and energy efficiency in the 21st century.
