- Technology and Innovation
Preventing Lens Condensation: The Clean Room Assembly Process at Metro Marine
Combating Biofouling at the Source
Submerged optics face constant degradation from barnacles and algae. Metro Marine Lighting recognized this vulnerability during a massive waterfront project in Long Island Sound. To prevent organic buildup on the lenses, the Englewood-based manufacturer integrated ultraviolet C (UVC) LED technology directly into the fixture. This patented anti-biofouling system actively keeps the glass clear, maintaining original light output without requiring manual scraping or chemical treatments.
Eliminating Internal Moisture
Condensation acts as a primary catalyst for electrical failure in marine hardware. Metro Marine physically alters the assembly environment to remove this risk, utilizing a Class-1000 clean room to limit contaminants. Through a patented process, engineers extract ambient air from the sealed housing and replace it with clean, dry nitrogen gas. This targeted atmospheric shift prevents internal moisture accumulation, drastically extending the operational lifespan of the submerged components.
Formulating the F-Series Architecture
Raw brightness often results in scattered, pixelated projections. The brand addresses optical refinement with the F-Series Full Spectrum family, tailored specifically for yachts measuring 32 to 100 feet. Each unit contains 72 high-output LEDs, utilizing Dynamic Full Spectrum RGBW technology to merge dedicated white emitters with RGB diodes. This configuration generates highly accurate whites and smooth color blending, allowing adjacent fixtures to merge into a single, continuous field of light.
The Thru Hull Integration
Heavy-duty applications demand robust physical shells. The new Full-Spectrum Thru Hull Light Fixture utilizes an aluminum bronze housing rated to IP9K and IP68 standards to survive permanent submersion. The intelligent luminaire outputs over 15,500 lumens of white light, reaching more than 54,000 total fixture lumens. It incorporates active thermal monitoring alongside the proprietary UVC anti-biofouling and nitrogen gas technologies to sustain continuous, heavy-duty operation.
Centralized Network Management
Modern vessels operate as heavily integrated digital ecosystems. The MM-CC-V1 Control Center connects the Metro Marine portfolio to the broader onboard architecture, managing up to 256 individual full-spectrum fixtures on 12- and 24-volt DC systems. The controller features automated fixture discovery and firmware verification. Operators can program specific lighting scenes directly through NMEA 2000-certified networks and Garmin OneHelm multifunction displays, or adjust color configurations via the dedicated iPhone and iPad companion application.
