Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-29-2012, 05:55 AM   #1
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
LED lighting

This was lifted from the SCAA board , a bunch of cruisers (mostly sail) that are underway , not dockside.

Five year's liveaboard experience with LED lighting

by Kamaloha » Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:40 pm
I was recently asked about my Scandvik spreader lights. Making
the reply caused me to remember about the bubbling paint I noticed the last time up the mast. Since I am still in
the US for another week I emailed Defender, who put me in touch with Scandvik
directly. She emailed me back right away and told me they had some problems with
the paint on the first batch of lights and she would send me a new light right
away.

In this marine world I place a HUGE emphasis on excellent customer service, so I
like to write about it whenever I get it. I give two thumbs up to Scandvik. And,
I noticed their lights are on sale at Defender right now for less than I paid.

While I'm at it I'll mention my other experiences with LED lights...

Exterior - Hella "NaviLED" Nav lights - also excellent customer service. Had one
go bad, and they sent me all three as a replacement in case the others were from
the same bad batch (they also had startup production pains a few years ago). Two
thumbs up for Hella.

Masthead - OGM (Orca Green) combo anchor/tricolor. I really love the light,
brightest in the anchorage and a beautiful piece of engineering. However, mine
started to go "on the blink" (literally) last year after six years. The company
has been bought out and the light was well beyond warranty. They did not replace
it outright, but did sell me a new one at cost. One thumb up.

Interior domes: I tried a half dozen different ones, including Dr. LED and some
of the other brand X versions. Generally poor experience, harsh light, short
lifespans, etc. Then I started using the Sensibulbs that SCAT makes, sold by
Sailor's Solutions. You cantell they are highly engineered and it shows. They are bright, nice light, and
no failures. I've replaced all my interior dome lights with them. Two thumbs up.

Interior reading fixtures: At first I used Sensibulbs in my old fixtures, but
the fixtures themselves were garbage and all corroded, so two years ago I sprung
for the reading lights with integral LED's made by Alpenglow. I have both the
white-only and combo white/red. They are works of art, well made and VERY nice
light. They are a nice bunch of folks to work with too. Two thumbs up.

LED strip lights - It is worth looking at these. My Tayana has handrails along
the lower coachroof edge like gutters on a car. I filled them with LED rope
lights at about $3 / ft and they make a very nice indirect cabin light. However,
they are not overly durable. I also used one out in the cockpit that I put up
and take down each time we move, and all that manipulation has broken the
interior wiring so bit by bit they died. I have bought more and this time I'll
figure out a way to permanently mount them out there.

My only remaining incandescent light is the steaming light, and I figure that
one doesn't matter since if the engine is on the alternator is making plenty of
power.

LED's are an expensive investment, but the end result is that I can run every
light in the house for the power that just one of the old halogens took, so it
is worth it - I no longer have to use fossil fuel to make power, the solar
panels keep up.

Regards,

Charlie
s/v Kamaloha
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 09:45 AM   #2
Guru
 
City: Here
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,940
I converted all 14 of my existing light fixtures to LED's purchased from Ikea for about $10.00 ea. Very pleased with the light quality and have been operating trouble free for 2.5 years (we live aboard). I posted a How To on my website.
boatpoker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 10:05 AM   #3
Guru
 
Pau Hana's Avatar


 
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Quote:
Originally Posted by boatpoker View Post
I converted all 14 of my existing light fixtures to LED's purchased from Ikea for about $10.00 ea. Very pleased with the light quality and have been operating trouble free for 2.5 years (we live aboard). I posted a How To on my website.
Excellent idea! The LEDs from "the bad place" have gone up a bit in price, bit still works out to about $10/fixture.

BTW, my fiance is the HR Manager at Ikea Seattle....she got a kick out of your article
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!

1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
Pau Hana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 10:12 AM   #4
Guru
 
Pau Hana's Avatar


 
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Can you sketch a quick wiring diagram?

Never mind- I got it....
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!

1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
Pau Hana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 10:25 AM   #5
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
Quote:
Originally Posted by boatpoker View Post
I converted all 14 of my existing light fixtures to LED's purchased from Ikea for about $10.00 ea. Very pleased with the light quality and have been operating trouble free for 2.5 years (we live aboard). I posted a How To on my website.


Strange choice of wire cutters.
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 10:27 AM   #6
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870


You can buy direct plug in replacements for those "festoon" style bulbs.
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 10:29 AM   #7
Guru
 
City: Here
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,940
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman View Post


Strange choice of wire cutters.

Yeah, my wife gave me s#@t for that
boatpoker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2012, 11:43 AM   #8
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by boatpoker View Post
Yeah, my wife gave me s#@t for that
If those are sewing scissors I'm surprised you aren't sporting a few extra orifices.

This reminds me - I need to find a dimmable LED dome light replacement.
Sisuitl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2012, 08:13 AM   #9
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
Here's how I did my interior lights. Thes are G4 replacements from China. They are warm white LEDs. Not quite as good as I had hoped so I may redo them later with something brighter.
Attached Thumbnails
DSC02338.jpg  
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2012, 12:35 AM   #10
Veteran Member
 
AKMary's Avatar
 
City: PNW
Vessel Name: Kingfisher
Vessel Model: 1974 Meridian Yachts Pilothouse 48
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 75
"I need to find a dimmable LED dome light replacement."

Please share if you do. Thanks.
AKMary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2012, 10:36 PM   #11
TF Site Team
 
Insequent's Avatar
 
City: Brisbane
Vessel Name: Insequent
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,262
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman View Post


You can buy direct plug in replacements for those "festoon" style bulbs.
Yes, and they are expensive and not very bright.

So I visited 'the bad place' earlier today. I have lots to do, and I already have some wire cutters so scissors will live for another day.
__________________
Brian
Insequent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2012, 12:30 AM   #12
Guru
 
Pau Hana's Avatar


 
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Just ordered some festoon bulbs ($50 for 25 bulbs) so we'll see how bright they turn out. In the interim, I'll be at the big blue box (aka the bad place) on Monday to get more low cost ideas....
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!

1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
Pau Hana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2012, 08:26 AM   #13
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
Here is a way to use a fixture for festoon bulbs that should give adequate light. If you really want it bright, use the 30 or 36 LED strips. I used a bayonet based LED something similar to this in the head. Very good light.

Festoon Base Bulbs | LED Car Bulbs | Page 2 | Super Bright LEDs

The strips can be attached with adhesive strips on the back. We have used this type, G-4,(about 24 of them), festoons, bayonet based, and light bars. We did a total conversion without changing out fixtures except for the light bars.

This is the 9 LED replacement we used in the head. There were two fixtures, so 120 lumens were very adequate. The 30 and 36 LED lights are 155 to 165 lumens.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-pcb-lamp/505/
__________________
Don on Moonstruck
Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
When cruising life is simpler, but on a grander scale (author unknown)
https://moonstruckblog.wordpress.com/
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2012, 09:15 AM   #14
Guru
 
MurrayM's Avatar
 
City: Kitimat, North Coast BC
Vessel Name: Badger
Vessel Model: 30' Sundowner Tug
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,946
Helm white / red LED light

Found a good LED solution for the helm. It has a sliding three position switch for White light, off, and red light for those who have a need to navigate at night;

Red - White Round Dome Light Fixture with 3 Position Switch | Dome Lights | Truck Lights & Lamps | Truck/Trailer | Super Bright LEDs
__________________
"The most interesting path between two points is not a straight line" MurrayM
MurrayM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2012, 10:18 AM   #15
TF Site Team
 
Insequent's Avatar
 
City: Brisbane
Vessel Name: Insequent
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,262
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana View Post
Just ordered some festoon bulbs ($50 for 25 bulbs) so we'll see how bright they turn out. In the interim, I'll be at the big blue box (aka the bad place) on Monday to get more low cost ideas....
Wow, great price! Can you share the supplier details?

When I said expensive I was thinking of the ANCOR ("Marine Grade") ones I bought 6 months ago. They were $14-$18 EACH. Small length had 4 LED's, longer ones had 8 LED's. And the white ones were very harsh, but the warm white were great in terms of colour. Two in each fitting were ok for salon lighting, but not bright enough for me to be reading lights.
__________________
Brian
Insequent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2012, 10:32 AM   #16
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
Quote:
Originally Posted by Insequent View Post
Wow, great price! Can you share the supplier details?

When I said expensive I was thinking of the ANCOR ("Marine Grade") ones I bought 6 months ago. They were $14-$18 EACH. Small length had 4 LED's, longer ones had 8 LED's. And the white ones were very harsh, but the warm white were great in terms of colour. Two in each fitting were ok for salon lighting, but not bright enough for me to be reading lights.
Something like this is what you need:

rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2012, 10:38 AM   #17
TF Site Team
 
Insequent's Avatar
 
City: Brisbane
Vessel Name: Insequent
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,262
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman View Post
Something like this is what you need:

Exactly. They look great. I think I could get two of those into each existing light fitting.
__________________
Brian
Insequent is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:23 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012