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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Quick-n-easy night light

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/16/2007 : 10:14:34

I found some battery powered LED lights a couple of weeks ago at Costco for around $15 for two. I bought some tail light repair tape from the local auto parts shop and carefully wrapped it around the lens of the light, and voilà!, instant night vision friendly lights:

I also bought some round lensed ones as well (3 of them for $13 I think?), but it was harder to get the tape wrapped over the convex surface so they're not as satisfactory as the barrel shaped lenses. But for $30 or so, I have a bunch of lights that aren't dependent on the battery for power, and since they're LED, they last seemingly forever. The last time we went down to the boat I found one that had been on for two weeks straight by mistake. It showed no signs of dimming, that impressed me quite a bit.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - delliottg on 11/16/2007 10:16:09

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 10:22:38

Nice touch with the red tape!

We use round LED devices, one above the DC panel and one above the mirror in the head. Handy and cheap.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 12:12:19

Nice job Dave. Like Randy, I too, have been using round LEDs for awhile but I haven't seen the ones you have at Costco. I'll keep an eye out for them next time I go there. I was thinking of replacing the white LEDs in some of my lights with red LEDs but the Tail light repair tape sounds like a great idea.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 12:33:49

Dave, I am big Costco fan and have gotten lots of stuff for Piseas II. But I have not seen those lights, only round ones like others have mentioned. I have some tail light repair tape at home-don't ask why as you can guess- so I will keep an eye out. I know not all Costco's have same stuff, city to city much less state to state.
Thanks for the great tip.
Steve A

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 13:01:54

Hmm, maybe I can pick up a handful of these next time we go, would you guys be willing to pay shipping for them?

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 13:27:27

Great idea on the LED light. That tail light tape should be in the tech tips.

This is the lantern I use for an anchor light. 2 AA rechargable batteris are good for about 80 hours of continual use, on high beam. This lantern is about 6" high and comes in clear white light or white reading light. It is very rugged and is waterproof. Made by Brunton - its available at camping/outdoor sports stores in US and Canada. It has optional colored lenses. I don't know if the strength of the light complies with Marine code or not, but on a lake, it is an excellent choice.
This light fits in with my keep it simple philosophy. I have replaced the wiring in my mast, and replaced the bulb in my mast light every season - it just seems to be a poor type of bulb and receptacle for the job.
IMHO, LED lights are the current best choice for boats.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 17:52:47

David, you gonna charge us extra for the red tape?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 18:04:32

If I have to make them for you too after I buy them for you, I'd have to charge you for something. For another fee I can install them as well, but it's a two person job, so I need to bring Rita along. Let me know when you'd like to fly us out.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 18:16:12

I bought one of these 3 in 1 headlights (red LED, white LED, and a Krypton bulb) a few years back on Oscar's recommendation. Works great.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 19:50:13

And I suppose you want 1st class.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 20:11:39

Don, I had been looking at similar headlights but they were very expensive. I found yours on ebay for $10 incl shipping. Think that is good deal.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 11/16/2007 20:12:06

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 20:44:14

I think I paid $13-15 a while back at a local store so $10 sounds pretty good.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 17:36:27

FYI, my local Costco has these back in stock (15 Feb 08). If you want some & can't find them I can be persuaded to send them to you after our next trip. They'll probably fit into a USPS flat rate box if they're taken out of the retail packaging. That said, the $7 flatrate is half what the package of two lights cost (roughly $14).

Edited by - on

tchowes
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 21:22:59

BJ's Wholesale Club on the east coast has battery operated LEDs as well. I bought a 3 pack round ones complete with Duracell batteries for $13. Definitely makes alot of sense.

I've noticed quite a few liveaboards using solar lights clamped to the rails. Looks nice.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 21:32:56

Back to the original lights of the thread, they are available at Walmart for those of us outside of Costco land. Just bought some for vberth lights and intended to provide regulated 3V power supply, but maybe I don't need to run them from the house circuit.

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