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FL (4) W 20 seconds. (fl 0.2,ec 2.3,fl 0.2,ec 2.3,fl 0.2,ec 2.3,fl 0.2,ec 12.3) First order Dioptric Equalising (Fresnel) Lens
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1818 Light first shown November?Established 1st.February 1819 The light was not allowed to be established and charge light duties until the Calf of Man light was completed. A revolving catoptric light,consisting of fourteen (2 ft. diameter) parabolic reflectors with Argand lamps. It revolved every two minutes, showing one minute a white light, and the other minute a red light. 1890 Station Refurbishment Lantern and Optic equipment replaced First order Dioptric Equalising Light revolving every eight minutes,shown as a Red and White Flash alternating every thirty seconds.Required rewinding every ninety minutes. Single Fog Siren installed Minor Light (Winkie) built. c1939 Fog signal engines and compressors replaced by three cylinder Kelvin engines and Sentinel compressors. Second Fog siren added. Character (3) 90 sec 1950 Minor light moved 250 feet seaward. 1955 Mains electric supply arrived at station. 1978 Chance Brothers 55mm Paraffin Vapour Lamp replaced with 250 watt Mercury Vapour Lamp Clockwork drive retained c1981 Storm signal discontinued 1985 Radio Beacon aerial mast replaced by di-pole aerial 1991 Tempory Power Beam light whilst main lens bearing changed from chariot wheel to modern bearing Character changed to Group Flash (4) 20 sec. Main light back in use 18/12/91 Lamp changed to 400 watt Metal Halide. Lampchanger NALC-89 1992 Fog siren replaced by Electric Emitter Character changed to (3) 60 sec Radio Beacon discontinued 1993 Station automation completed with a similar system to Maughold Head. Main differences a 400 watt lamp instead of 250 watt. Three phase motors instead of single phase. 2003 Videograph fog detector(Back scatter) replaced by Visibility sensor VF-500-110T (forward scatter) 2005 Fog signal discontinued 13:15 hrs August 16th |
| Before automation at the Point of Ayre lighthouse it used to be a
leisurely Red and White beam every minute,this used to pass across
one of the local farmers barns where he kept his cows overnight-No
problem.
When the light was automated the lamp was changed from 250 watt to
400 watt and character changed to four quick flashes every 20
seconds,after a few nights the farmer was complaining that his cows
were fretful and restless and the only thing he could think of,was the
light beams,so we extended the blank panes (Without compromising
safety) and the cows settled down again.
Operation of the light is monitored at Northern Lighthouse Board Monitoring Center.
Attendant visits on a fortnightly basis carry's out system checks and checks physical condition of building.
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 ________________________________Racon_____Visibility Sensor___ Standby Light____________________________Fog Signal_____Standby Light
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An unusual view showing main and reserve lamps along with photo-electric cells which are used to monitor that the light is on,used in conjunction with monitoring of lamp current consumption.
All photographs Copyright Fred Fox.