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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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LED Anchor Light

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/24/2008 : 20:11:24

Hey guys I just found and bought this on ebay. This will fit my enclosure for my anchor light.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270222429305&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=270221595003&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42"]

[/url]

1156 LED Bulbs
Comes in a pair(2 bulbs)
12 volts, 27 LED
Superwhite Color
Easy to install, no modification needed
$8.95 + shipping.

Steve Blackburn, Calgary, AB
C250WB - 1999 - Hull 396

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/24/2008 20:13:49

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2008 : 20:33:40

Nice find!

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2008 : 22:27:44

They look pretty small too. I don't have specific measurments but from the picture it looks like the top part is no longer than the bottom. Very compact. I was very disapointed that I couldn't find the other model everyone bought. But this one looks even better with side illumination. I'll use 1 in the mast and 1 in the cabin. They are initialy designed as side blinker lights. I hope they wont start blinking! If they start blinking then I'll turn up the disco music and call it a party.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/24/2008 22:29:51

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2008 : 22:39:51

If those fit the cabin spot lights, then I want some!

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2008 : 22:57:31

I'm sure they do. I'll report later. Might be too bright for the inside though.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 06:05:19

Steve,

I have followed the postings on the Cat250 LED light discussions. I guess my question regarding these bulb replacements and especially for applications where there are regulations (USCG) regarding visibility distance, etc for anchor/running lights, how does the above lightbulb specs stand up to 1NM/2NM visibility ?

My earlier investigation and use of LEDs is that the LEDs come in a wide assortment of configurations and it is extremely hard comparing them to each other and to the USCG reqmts unless they are actually approved by USCG and as far as I know, USCG does not approve lightbulbs alone, only those in their own housings.

I guess my concern is that there is a big difference in getting just a lightbulb as a replacement and install into an existing incandescent housing or a housing bought to fit the new bulb versus buying an LED with it's own housing. The cost is like getting a regular anchor light w/incandescent bulb and housing for say less than $100. an anchor light w/LED and housing for well over $100 or an LED lightbulb put into your own existing housing or purchased separately housing for less than $10 for the LED.

Also, these LEDs are not all created equal and very deceiving in brightness. I bought some replacement LED bulbs which I use in the cabin in the original Cat 25 housings, those bulbs have about 6-8 little LEDs (similar to your photo but in a festoon bulb arrangement) and their brightness is about 2/3 of my incandescent original bulb but do save quite a bit in amperage - probably about 25% of the amperage of the incandescent bulb. However, my OGM LED Anchor light which is USCG approved (approval ltr on their website) is rated for 2NM and this is all by one little LED in the bottom of the housing. However, this is a very bright single LED and there is a whole bunch of micro-circutiry under it which not sure all that it does but obviusly is more sophisticated than just a bulb replacement like what I used in the cabin. I forget the mfr but there is one LED Mfr that sells replacement bulbs for the inside cabin and their bulbs cost about $30 a piece (it's called a "smart something or other") and it also has micro-circuitry under the bulb. However, there bulb is extremely bright and not same comparison as just a bulb replacement.

The LED technology is great but the specs and rating of the bulbs leaves something to be desired. It really takes a lot of review to ensure you are getting an equal brightness/visible replacement for what existed on the boat originally. if you have any specs on that bulb you show in the above posting, I would appreciate the info.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 11:06:25

Larry, point well taken about the USCG regs. We use the LED bulb that Steve was unable to obtain. I can tell you that it is as bright as any other in the anchorage and it uses 1/10 the power of the original.

Steve, if the LED you found does provide good interior light and fits our fixtures (spot, and the regular round ones I hope) then that will be a great power saver for us!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 11:45:39

The cabin lights...I am still considering buying a different LED than I have at present. So...interested in what you guys come up with. I may give that bulb with the micro-circuitry a try. One of the guys that invented it had a booth at the Annapolis Boat Show and I had talked to him a bit about his bulb configuration. Come to think of it..it is called a sensi-bulb.

[url="http://www.sailorssolutions.com/"]Sensibulb[/url]

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 13:33:34

Larry,

I can't tell you anything about the specs on the bulbs I bought. The only way would be to do a side by side comparison on a USCG approved and the one I bought. If mine is brighter then I guess we're alright. The bulb in question boasts "superwhite" and has 27 LED. The one that the other guys are using has 28 LEDs. Of course the LED type is important. All I can say at this moment is that from the picture it looks promissing however they don't say "HID" (High Output Diode) or SuperBright. Worse case scenario I'll use them in the cabin.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/25/2008 13:40:29

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 13:56:40

We have Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary and Police running around all over the place here near Annapolis, and I think they are kept pretty busy with various boating accidents and other complaints. There are some Navy boats and ships up and down the Bay, too, including some training sloops that are fun to watch.

I'd be surprised to be stopped for having dim running or anchor lights. Lots of boats are missing important lights coompletely, and they are hazardous for others at night. Then there are the powerboats speeding at night without using a bright spotlight to see ahead.

Has anyone else ever been cited for running light or anchor light violations?

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 14:08:57

If the guys that have so far bought the 27 LEDs or 28 LEDs and installed it and it seems as bright as the other lights from other boats at anchor, then sounds great. But it is amazing when you see some of these LED bulbs with 6, 8, 9, 12, etc LEDs in them and while that should give some indication of how bright they are...it don't. When I first got my OGM Anchor light, I thought it was defective since it appeared there was no LED(s) in the housing. Then at closer inspection, I saw it had just one in it and that one is as bright as the original incandescent bulb. It is just very hard to compare them especially when replacing the cabin lights. My boat has the festoon bulbs and so I was interested in the LED festoon style but it a dimmer light despite having 8 or so LEDs. We keep on these LED discussions...I know it will push me into my buying that Sensi-bulb to try it out in the cabin ! (Experimenting in lighting.)

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 18:02:24

During last years B.E.E.R Cruise, Tom Potter noted my New LED light, it was clearly one of the brightest in the 'fleet', it certainly was the whitest.

Since then we have seen more fellow sailing boats switching over to LED anchor lights.

Ours is the type where there are 4 flat panels around the cylinder of the lamp base and one on top. It draws 0.01 amps (according to the supplier)

Paul

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 19:39:39

That's the one we have Paul. It is very bright. I am really hoping that Steve's new bulb can fit in the interior fixtures. What a power saver they would be!

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tchowes
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 21:32:36

Steve,

Just curious what kind of anchor light fixture you have. I have one of the old original domed anchor navigation lights that Catalina Direct still sells, but is no longer considered up to snuff. It needs to be replaced. Thought it might sense to swap out the bulb with the LED you bought. Otherwise, I'm thinking of hanging an LED lantern as a few others have suggested elsewhere in these message boards.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2008 : 23:54:21

Tim, I'm not sure what I have. I think it's called Hella. It takes an 1156 type bulb. Just to be on the safe side hold on til I test this new bulb it maybe not be that bright after all. I should have it no later than next week. I'm also going to test it in the interior fixtures.

I have a round (bubble like) 1156 25 watt bulb in there before. I'm pretty sure the new LED I bought will beat it. Anyone know how many watts the original bulb is?

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/25/2008 23:56:09

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2008 : 00:22:11

Just found this one too. Looks like the ones you guys have with the yellow dot. High Flux.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1156-20-High-Flux-LED-WHITE-Back-Up-Lights-1073-BA15S_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33713QQihZ011QQitemZ320230890785QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW"]

[/url]

Then there is Super Flux which I think is brighter.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/26/2008 00:27:19

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2008 : 10:47:27

After climbing my 58 foot mast the other day I found that I have a bayonnet style bulb and not this one https://www.professorled.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=56 This was supposed to go on my C25, but I never managed to climb the mast before we sold her... reasonable offers accepted.

LED anchor lights are just as bright if not brighter than standard bulbs. But in real cruising life, you'll find that very few people run anchor lights in anchorages. We are religious about it and I will climb again when I get the right bulb. BTW - 58 feet is VERY high. My death grip lock with my legs around the mast left me sore for a couple of days for sure! When I reached the second set of spreaders i thought to myself; "why did I move aboard and sell my C25?"

sten

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2008 : 20:44:39

Got my LED bulbs today.

Says Ultra Bright on the package.

Notice the yellow spots (maybe not the same yellow spots you guys have)

Mast light

Fits easy.

Comparison with Cabin spot light bulb

It seems it does fit, but then I couldn't turn it to lock it in. Looks like the base of the bulb is slighly to big and I probably need just a hair more. Doesn't matter, probably too bright for the cabin anyways.

Standard bulb.

Something like this might work better for the spot lamps. Notice how beveled they are.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 04/13/2008 00:31:16

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2008 : 23:50:34

Nice find Steve!

Edited by - on

dreddick
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2008 : 22:39:56

My anchor light uses the festoon style bulb. Has anyone tried one of these? http://www.mastlight.com/index.html

I purchsed a bulb from mastlight at the Chicago boat show to replace the #93 in the v-berth and it looks like it will work out nicely.

Edited by - on

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