The New Navy

[flatsixes]

As a former tin-can sailor, I've always suspected that there was something just not right going on below the surface of the Atlantic.

But nothing prepared me for the awful truth. The absolute horror of it all.

The US Office of Naval Research (ONR) has begun testing solid-state lighting (SSL) fixtures on board the USS New Hampshire attack submarine, after one of its sailors complained about the ‘humming’ noise produced by fluorescent bedside lamps. (http://optics.org/news/2/3/6)

Arrgh, Matey. And after yor nap, we'll flog ye with noodles cooked al dente!
:arrgh!:

[Weiss Pinguin]

Oh thank goodness, I was thinking of joining the sub force, but the thought of having to put up with those noisy florescent lamps was really putting me off. Now if they could just find a way to keep my pillow cool, that would seal the deal for me. :yep:

[MaddogK]

Disgusting. We had to use earplugs to sleep because our berths were under the flight deck near the wires.

[AVGWarhawk]

In a submarine...silence is golden....

[Jimbuna]

That's nothing....here in the RN we're about to issue the crew with ear protectors so they don't become alarmed at the grating noise the keel makes as our subs run aground :o

[Tchocky]

That's nothing....here in the RN we're about to issue the crew with ear protectors so they don't become alarmed at the grating noise the keel makes as our subs run aground :o

:rotfl2::rotfl2:

The world's only amphibious SSN fleet

[MaddogK]

In a submarine...silence is golden....

I doubt anyones sonar gear could pick up a noisy lamp ballast. My comment was meant for the wuss who can't sleep with the light OFF, and complains that it was too noisy.

BOO-HOO

[Tchocky]

can't you classify contacs based on the alternating current, 50 or 60 hertz means Russian/US and so on?

[MaddogK]

Sure, but the hum from a ballast isn't exactly detectable, like the sound of the tube from your TV powering up.

[Gargamel]

To be honest guys, this is a valid complaint.

A lot of malls use fluorescent lights that have been 'tuned' to emit certain high frequency noise. It is usually aimed at adolescent age ears (which can by nature hear a high frequency, this disappears as we age) to prevent loitering in the malls. My brother and I used to get insane migraines whenever my mom would take us to Sears at the mall. She thought we were just faking it till we found an article in a magazine about it.

So imagine the Navy orders premium..... errrr....... lowest bidder light bulbs, which just happen to have poorly made ballast that happen to emit this range of frequencies. Now look at your demographic for enlisted crew, post-pubescent males.


Just noticed there is only one complaint, but still, betcha many others have heard it and not complained.

Anyways, SSL lighting is more power effecient, and won't break as easily.

[flatsixes]

To be honest guys, this is a valid complaint.


Well, in my day no sailor ever complained about anything that wasn't 100% valid. And I'm sure that long-standing naval tradition extends down the line to the fine young men (and women) keeping the sea lanes open today! :salute: (But I'll be sure to ask my son.)

All kidding aside, I don't think it ever got quiet enough aboard my ship, the USS Torp Target, to hear the movie on mess decks, much less be bothered by the hum of a "bedside lamp." Sure must be awfully quite down there.

[MaddogK]

Your day, my day and today are on 3 different planets.

Thank you for your service, thank your son for me too.

I remember (in my day) pulling 8 hours in the forward scullery every day (was assigned TAD- ships company) AND 2-4 hour daily squadron training AND 3 hour flights (every other day PLUS brief/debrief time (2+ hours)). This was normal for me. I didn't need earplugs as I was so tired I could sleep thru flight ops above me and not wake up. I would've had to struggle to hear a lamp ballast humming.

Yes, I was borderline insane when I got off the ship after 9+ months.

[Ducimus]

You can blame the AF for this if you want. Back in my day i heard - "Beware the new AF". And boy... did i find out what that was all about. This PC crap probably started there, and has finally infected other branch's.

[Gargamel]

All kidding aside, I don't think it ever got quiet enough aboard my ship, the USS Torp Target, to hear the movie on mess decks, much less be bothered by the hum of a "bedside lamp." Sure must be awfully quite down there.

Think dog whistle type noise. Constant ringing squelch in the ear. But the only way to describe it to another person is like a high pitched hum.

“The fluorescent version of the berth light found in every sailor’s sleeping area runs at over ten watts and is a legendary maintenance headache due to starter and lamp failures,” Buelow added. “Because of TechSolutions’ work with Energy Focus, the fleet now has a qualified LED version that runs at five watts, delivers the same light output and will last for a decade without maintenance.”

Well that alone is probably worth replacing them.

[Platapus]

I doubt anyones sonar gear could pick up a noisy lamp ballast.

Sonar won't, but would an underwater SIGINT detector work?

[Weiss Pinguin]

Think dog whistle type noise. Constant ringing squelch in the ear. But the only way to describe it to another person is like a high pitched hum.
Almost like tinnitus, then?

[Ducimus]

Almost like tinnitus, then?

You get used to it. It drives you bat s**t insane at first, but you get used to it. At times, your even able to tune it out completely.

Anyone who complains about a noisy light ballast should try having tinnitus sometime. I'll bet they'll take their humming lights with a smile.

[MaddogK]

Sonar won't, but would an underwater SIGINT detector work?

Water makes a wonderful insulator, RF noise doesn't propagate under water. Unless its a fairly loud audible sound or creates a large magnetic field a single lamp ballast would be invisible to any detector not within a few inches of the source. The ships generator is barely detectable by OUR guys.

Of course the 'black hats' may have come up with something that nobody knows about, remember they can see the printing on a matchbook cover on earth from an orbiting satellite.