Comment Feed for LEDs plus Solar cells make a well-lit world (tina on Channel 10)

Re:

Spurtz — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:57:43 GMT

No worries about security. I have been with Carmanah since 1999 and was one of the first to review the security features that the lights have. Even if you were handed the universal remote, there are no less than 16 independent entries that must be made in a particular order within a certain amount of time to access the functions of the light. Not just the numbers 0-9 to choose from - the light has functionality with many other buttons as well.

Compound this with the need to have the light in a certain lighting condition for a certain span of time during programming, the chances of someone or something cracking or reading out the code is essentially nil. Add still the security feature on the microprocessor itself - fuses are blown during programming at the factory, so the unit is very, very secure.

Re:

Spurtz — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:02:03 GMT

It's secure. I've worked here for 8 years and was one of the first to contribute to the security feature.

The odds of any system generating the correct input sequence for the password is astronomically low - no less than ten independent sequences must be met during particular external conditions in order to access or change the flash patterns.

Re: Security

Trix.rox — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:32:24 GMT

Like if someone go ahold of that universal remote they had. This is neat stuff though.

Re: Security

Grant — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:05:37 GMT

that's a good point, although my guess is they've thought of wireless security - however there are other Vancouver Island companies in the lighting space, such as Streetlight Intelligence, that can incrementally control individual streetlights (from 0% to 100% on) by assigning each light with an IP address - individual lights can be assessed for bulb life and other maintenance issues as well... anyway, another set of security issues to look at!

Security

njcu — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 05:05:47 GMT

I wonder how secure their wireless control is. Even now there are people who use emergency transmitters to change street lights from red to green. I wonder how much havoc can be created with a system this open. I'm not knocking it though, it's pretty bad ass how easy it is to setup and how "smart" this lightning are.

Re: Re: Re: You're lighting the way!

njcu — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 04:50:40 GMT

As I understand there have been really remarkable breakthroughs in the last couple months in solar panels and how much energy they are able to collect. Being a Floridian, I'm interested in this sort of technology... there's always enough sun to go around.... and maybe some wind around hurricane season.

Re: Re: You're lighting the way!

Arztek — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:26:37 GMT

Solar power and LED lighting are being used by all branches of the military. Most notably, the Coast Guard, Army Rangers, and Marines. Most of it is designated for "deployable gear" and is used in the field. Home station units don't get priority, and end up using old surplus gear. Slowly but surely, LED lighting and fiberoptics will be the standard. It's a more efficient technology, and definately helps the bottom line, even if you have to invest a little more in the beginning.

Eventually, solar technolgy might become another standard. The only downside is the cost and waste of manufacturing solar panels. They are made from specially treated silicon tiles, and doping them produces a lot of chemical waste. At present, they are still ineffective at producing a large sum of power, but the technology is still in development.

Re: Re: You're lighting the way!

Arztek — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:14:31 GMT

Well...she is to me anyway. :)

Re: You're lighting the way!

Bootstrap — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:00:50 GMT

Goddess. Wow.

Re: You're lighting the way!

DavidS — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:08:14 GMT

I'm pretty sure that I've seen photos of Carmanah gear being used in the Gulf, so I wonder if other groups in the armed forces are already using LED lighting? I know they have made huge inroads into Great Britain with solar-powered bus shelters, too. From my point of view, I really like Carmanah's three-way mix of environmentally-friendly thinking plus a sound business bottom line plus cool technology.

Re: You're lighting the way!

Arztek — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 05:51:41 GMT

At present, said technology is somewhat expensive and inefficient, but with LEDs and other long-lasting low-power technology, photovoltaic power is the way to go.

In addition to Carmanah, anyone interested might want to check out http://www.siliconsolar.com/led-solar-lighting.php<</a>br />
Tina, I really must commend you again for covering this segment. I know it's not exactly your style, but you might want to post this segment on your page like you did with the tech trash and recycling segment.

I'd also suggest more segments like these. Perhaps alternative and efficent homes and alternative fuel source cars etc. Thanks again, T-Dub. :)

You're lighting the way!

Arztek — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 05:42:11 GMT

Tina,
Yet again, I must commend you for an astounding segement, my goddess! Did you research and choose to cover Carmanah, or did the 10 team put this together and dispatch you as the lovely correspondant? Either way, I'm awestruck. If I didn't know any better, I'd say these environmental technology segments were made for me. I'm a member of NJPIRG and the recycling commitee of NJ. Environmental technology means the world to me. I spent the last year promoting solar power and LED lighting...so this segment is all the more important to me. I've even tried to get my Air Force squadron to make the jump to LED flashlights, but it's slow and a little expensive at present. I really believe solar power is the future.

Go Carmanah! Go Victoria!

Grant — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:14:26 GMT

thanks for this awesome look at camanah tina - mainstream solar lighting finally!!! ...bus shelters, security lights, aviation landing strips... theyre doing great with their products being shipped all over the world from little ol victoria... i moved to victoria this year and its a beautiful place to live... and as a guy in the tech industry i can tell you that its a great place to work too