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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

LED VS Xenon

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jotruelove
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/27/2006 : 16:00:34

Hello again everyone!

I am preparing to replace the stock lighting in the cabin area of my precious 85 Catalina 25. There are many great styles, but in this replacement, I also want to consider voltage and light output.

I realize that LED is the most efficient, but there are issues with LED. I know Xenon seems popular, but I am unaware of voltage requirements for this bulb type.

I was wondering what my fleet was using as a replacement on thier boats. As always, any and all advice is deeply appreciated.

Fair Winds...

James Truelove
Pearl
1985 Catalina 25
Sunny Florida Panhandle

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3442 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2006 : 17:00:39

So far, I replaced my dead anchor light with an CG approved OGM LED Anchor Light w/photoelectric cell to turn it off during morning hrs and I recently replaced the main cabin festoon bulbs with LED Festoon Bulbs.

In regards to the cabin lighting, the verdict is not fully in on the LEDs I installed. No doubt the amp load is just a fraction of the original bulbs. The originals were .5A and there are 4 bulbs in the two fixtures. So that is 2AMPs. The 4 LEDs equal a total of .3 Amps. But the light is a different intensity/color/brightness and are a bit hard to compare. I would say it is about 50% less bright over the area it would normally light. I need to research LEDs a bit
more since they are not all equal. The Mfrs also do not seem to list all their specs in a way that makes easy comparisons. But when I get the bug again, I will try and do comparing once again.

As far as Xenons, I seem to recall the CD has them for replacing the cabin lights. I believe they were advertised as having about the same brightness and something like 2/3 the amps of the original lights. So...you get some power savings. I have no direct experience with the xenons - Hope someone can shed some addl "light" on your subject.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2006 : 17:24:18

I have added a bunch of new lights on my boat.
I have one xenon light on a gooseneck fitting which I bought on sale from that now defunct online supplier owned by the Boyles, I forget the name of their company. Anyways I believe it is a 20 watt bulb and is great for reading, and directing anywhere you want. It does draw 1.6 amps.
I also added some LED lights. The three bulb models are only good for low intensity background lighting. I then got a 12 LED light, and it barely works for reading. I recently purchased a 24 light LED but haven't installed it yet. I know that there are newer high intensity LED's out there, but haven't tried it out yet.
The advantage of Xenon over Halogen bulbs is that Halogen gets really hot and can burn you. Halogen has a bright white light, but Xenon is more orange type of light due to it's lower temperature, both in terms of heat, and color saturation for you photo folks out there.
LED lights are very white, almost blueish, but you have to have a pretty good sized array to read by.
I have come to the conclusion that since I only use cabin lights for a few hours a night while anchoring I'm not going to worry about it as I can always fire up Mr. Moto, my honda motor and put out some amps while cooking breakfast anyways, and charge up the batteries.
I do have a coast guard approved anchor light, and that makes a big difference in amp hour draw overnight. The light is the brightest and bluest in the anchorage so it's easy to find your boat in a crowded anchorage if you are out in your dingy.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2006 : 20:46:51

If by panhandle you mean you sail the gulf and could be gone for overnights on the water then amperage would be a biggie. My boat plugs in whenever it is not moving and my charger runs the 12 volt system at the dock. My light upgrades have been two conventional incandescent fixtures with both white and red bulbs and one low power florescent on the port forward head wall as a potty night light. I like the stock 89 salon lights more all the time and the stock square lights do a really good job in moderate light applications. I have two in the V-berth and one over the ice chest in the galley. If I had the squares over the settees like most 25s I would upgrade there; which I did in my 82.

If I were to do that again I would use a double fixture on each side.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2006 : 21:04:37

Nearly 10 years ago I installed a white & red 12V 8W florecent light above the dinette table in my C25. The white tube really lights up the cabin, more than enough to read by. The red tube was so bright, I added another red filter sleeve over the first one to dim it down some more. If I had to buy a new main cabin light right now, I think I'd go with the florecent again.

In a few more years, I expect the LEDs or some other technology will surpass it in light/power/cost performance. I will be an interested spectator as those of you who are shopping for lights right now let the rest of us know what works and what doesn't.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2006 : 07:24:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">In a few more years, I expect the LEDs or some other technology will surpass it in light/power/cost performance.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Durning my OU studies in physics and maths, I expanded my interest in the development of energy systems, so the idea of reducing our energy consumption (along with all of the benefits) is always on my mind (another reason for owning a 'SailBoat')

The future is not that far away!

http://www.lightinginnovations.net

Paul

Edited by - on

Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2006 : 07:02:21

Larry, what did you end up with for an anchor light and where did you purchase. I rarely use mine but what to keep everything working on the boat. My original Aqua Signal series 25 anchor light that was standard on our boats, needs a new lens and that's really what I'm looking for. But I would consider the upgrad to the LED unit if it's not a zillion bucks. Thanks for the info Larry.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3442 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2006 : 11:10:41

Brian,

I bought the anchor light from OGM. The one I bought is all white and has the photodiode turnoff option. Their website for the on-line store with this light pictured is:
https://secure.orcagreen.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16142&cat=0&bestseller

Here is the reference on their website for the CG approval:
http://secure.orcagreen.com/downloads/pr11.pdf

You may also consider how you will install whatever you get. An adapter plate may be necessary. I was changing the VHF Antenna, Windex and the light fixture. I also ordered the wrong adapter plate from OGM - my fault. the windup was that the local marine guy had an adapter plate made up at a local machine shop and it worked out fine for mounting the components.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2006 : 13:26:23

Since the LEDs take less amperage would they function with poor current flow? I need to rewire my mast this winter anyway but It would be a sales point if I knew terminal corrosion would have less effect over time.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2006 : 14:08:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Since the LEDs take less amperage would they function with poor current flow? I need to rewire my mast this winter anyway but It would be a sales point if I knew terminal corrosion would have less effect over time.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
To ward off terminal corrosion, you could try using dielectric grease.

Permatex® Dielectric Tune-Up Grease

Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.

Suggested Applications: Marine and automotive electrical connections, spark plug boots, trailer hitches, battery terminals

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2006 : 15:07:03

Thanks

Edited by - on

mashedcat
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2006 : 16:13:47

frank, what is the source for the cabin light fixture you posted? i dont find it in catalina direct

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2006 : 17:19:11

I bought the raw fixture on ebay and made the "cabinet". I have a pair of raw doubles if you want them, I will figure out a price if you want me to. I would offer to build the teak boxes but I would be insecure about the quality of my work. I simply used 2" battens from buckwood.com cheap, easy to work with, just figure out your internal corner reinforcements and provide material for the fixtures to screw into them. I used teak triangles in opposite corners up high for the fixtures and then put teak triangle down low in the opposite corners so I could fasten them to the cabin liner. For doubles you would probably add some along the middle of the long sides. You need them strong so you can direct the lights.

This might be easier

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/READING-light-BRASS-Halogen-xenon-12v-20-watt-NIB_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50437QQihZ004QQitemZ140048710917QQtcZphoto"]ebay link[/url]

I buy a lot of stuff from here.
[url="http://stores.ebay.com/Boaterbits_Electrical_Lighting-Fixtures_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZ1QQfsubZ2031555QQftidZ2QQtZkm"]boater bits[/url]

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/03/2006 17:42:30

mashedcat
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2006 : 18:48:02

Thanks, Frank. I like the look of your 'cabinets'. I prefer something a little more subdued than the stock square plastic jobs that I have on my boat. This winter im completing some storage along both port and starboard setees (an idea I'm partially stealing from an old post I found). In doing that, I'm going to incorporate some new lighting throughout the boat. I may contact you later regarding the fixtures if you still have them. I think I can do better than the original lighting with a little creativity. I like yours, thanks

Edited by - mashedcat on 11/03/2006 18:52:08

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