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West Marine Interior LED Cabin Lights

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/15/2009 : 10:51:49

I've installed three relatively inexpensive ($20 each) West Marine red/white LED cabin lights on the Strbrd side, one over the f'rwd sink and two in the main cabin, strbrd and f'rwd and aft of the stock location light. I replaced the stock fixture with a WM red/white cabin light with the incandescent festoon bulbs in the stock locations.

The lights are not that bright but I like them as the lighting is very soft. I'm looking at adding three more of these in the same locations on the port side. I like the color of the light also, in conjunction with the incandescent lights. The leds are blueish, and then the light gos through the yellowish plastic. The light comes out bluer than the regular incandescent lights, but not unpleasantly so. The mix of light colors is pleasant to me.

These cabin lights work quite well for the smaller spaces as the f'rwrd and aft bunks, and any close quarters they are great, but the light levels are low for the main cabin. I'm going to mount an overhead which is brighter.

The original Catalina fixtures produced harsh light to me, but they were brighter, and I kept the one over the aft of the stove.

When I get through I'l post some pictures.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2009 : 12:09:34

Do you have a link to the catalogue or a part number?
Love to see the install picts.
TIA

Edited by - on

fpill
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2009 : 17:53:33

I'd be interested to find out how much power you save if you have to double the amount of lights.
Ray, have you measured the amount of current used before and after your modification?

Frank

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2009 : 22:47:55

Regarding the stock lights in our C-25, it is rare that we turn on more than 1 or 2 at a time. Usually after dark if I need to go below, 1 light in the main cabin will suffice. I've also added 3 of the LED puck lights, 1 over the galley, 1 in the head, and 1 sits loose on the inside aft shelf. To be fair, we have not done any overnight cruising yet either so we've not been out long enough for battery drain to be an issue.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2009 : 07:28:17

<< Regarding the stock lights in our C-25, it is rare that we turn on more than 1 or 2 at a time. >>

We would sit at the table and try to play dominoes and find the stock location of the cabin lights would be behind each of us, leaving the dominoes in our shadows.

<< we have not done any overnight cruising yet either so we've not been out long enough for battery drain to be an issue. >>

Battery drain was not the issue, darkness and cost is. The west marine LED cabin lights were $19 and the -bulbs- for the older incadescent lights are $6 each. The LEDS will not need changing.

<< I'd be interested to find out how much power you save if you have to double the amount of lights. >>

The incandescent fixtures I installed have festoon bulbs that are drawing about .8 amp each and the fixture has 2 bulbs. = 1.6 amps.

The West Marine Economy fixtures (WM Model #: 9268590) draws .04 amp each so I could install 40 of the LEDS lamps before I had the draw of the incandescent fixtures.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2009 : 07:47:17

It looks like I could put LEDS festoon bulbs in the WM festoon buld fixtures I installed and cut the amps in half. WM part # 9353954 is a LEDS festoon bulb for about $15.00 and draws .4 amps. of half the amps of the incadescent bulbs and they should be pretty bright.

I think the stock bulb ( Bulb - C base - 12.8v - 1.44 amp ) for the Catalina fixtures ( which are pretty bright ) but they draw 1.44 amps.

Now the battery is something like 500 amp hours so if I turn on 10 incadescent lamps Im only drawing 15 amps so the battery should last about 26 hours. 5 lamps = 52 hours.

Just think ... LEDS should give me 10 times that..

WHoo Hoooo.... turn on some lights!

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2009 : 09:14:20

Hey Redeye, I'm not saying th equality or sizing is right, but really before buying ANYTHING electronic/electrical, I now check with this site.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.17907

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2009 : 13:06:56

I have thought about replacing my cabin lights with LEDs but then, on secnd thought, I prefer the coleman lantern we've been using for years. Nights on Lake Superior are cool if not down right cold, even in mid-summer. Sleeping bags are the norm. Anyway, the lantern not only provides good light, it also warms up the cabin. although I have a cabin heater, I seldom have to turn it on. The only drawback is the availblity of red lights for night use. I use a filtered flashlight or headband light instead.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 17:42:58

Hello Folks,

I too am looking to replace the original lights in my 78 Catalina.

I received the LED light for my cabin light from LEDLIGHT.
The LED light was a replacement for the 1156 style light. The bad news: the light didn't light. I called the company and they are sending another LED replacement. I should have the LED light in a week, and Ill test.

Deric

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 22:19:33

Deric, you might check the polarity of you fixtures. I switched mine after checking (after mistakenly exchanging LEDs a WM) with a voltmeter. The pin is now hot instead of the shell of the receptacle. I could have just switched the wires at the distibution panel, but then I would have had a hot black wire.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2009 : 05:55:35

I found the if I wired the fixtures "wrong" they simply would not light. I did not check my polarity, I just wired them up and reversed them if they did not light.

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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2009 : 13:44:44

I just ordered from [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm"]Catalina Direct[/url] ( a motor mount) and noticed they have the same interior LED lights that WM has for about the same price.

Underlined words are HOT links.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2009 : 16:26:05

Dave, Ray,

Thank you for the tip. I'll give it try within the next few days, and provide a report update herein.

Thanks,
Deric

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2009 : 07:23:41

The picture of the CD LED light fixture makes the cover look different from the WM fixture. They may be similar, but not necessarily the same.

I've got a light meter, so I'll get a measurement out of the one I'm using.

Thanks.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2009 : 11:00:26

I went with these (on sale at the time) for both sides of the cabin and the quarterberth with red/white. With clear lenses, they are dramatically brighter than the plastic originals, even after I replaced the original bulbs with LEDs, and are not harsh. They were more expensive than I had planned, but not bad when distributed over their expected lifespan. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/282071/377%20710/0/led%20cabin%20light/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=led%20cabin%20light&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=led%20cabin%20light&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=13045

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2009 : 16:26:21

Ray,

Thanks for the tip regarding switching the wires. I tested the LED with the wires switched, and the LED
light lit up.

The bulb is 17 dollars, and fits in the original 1978 enclosure. Catalina Direct has the round dome replacement for 20 bucks.
With the Catalina solution, one has a new light fixture, choice of RED or WHITE, or OFF as a selection.

I decided to stay with the original light fixture; hence, the reason why I merely wish to replace the bulb - - I seem to
have a propensity for the original classic look of the boat.

I'll see how much affect the LED has tonight. I am very curious to observe the color, and brightness.

Thanks,
Deric

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2009 : 20:44:13

I ended up replacing the fixtures after finding that my old, somewhat yellowed, square fixtures filtered to much light.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 07:27:12

LED Bulb replacement update:

I turned on the LED light last night and noticed the following:

1) The LED dispersed enough to light the inside of the cabin
2) The LED light color was bluish -- somewhat of a cold look, or sterile look.

I bought the superbright LED replacement, perhaps the warm light version of the LED
bulb would cast a warmer glow, but it may not disperse adequate amount of light.

Maybe the warm light LED would be better placed in the berths. I may try that.

Here is the link to the site - - for more information - - regarding the LED

http://www.ledlight.com/s25-12-smt-tower-led-light.aspx

Deric

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 19:40:37

Port side:
The forward light is the led through a cover.
The next light aft is incadescent ( 2 bulbs ).
The aft light is LEDs with a fixture that has not cover.

Caveat: The incadescent burned dimmer with all the lights wired together, as the battery was low after I was using a 1000 cl handheld to light while I waored on these lights. The incadeacent alone is brighter than these so don't try to compare light output from these images.

I did not have enough room underneath aft on the sides so I tried another led light. It is kinda neat in that is is like a spot light.

I've added another LED fixture in the center overhead. We will see how it goes. I've used the Mars, and Perko Lights and they were great, very nice light and much higher light levels than these lights.

It was a real pain to wire all these lights. I'm a professional photographer and unusual lighting is of interest to me.

I ended up replacing the incadescent fixture with the LED fixtures that I used forward.

Thanks

Edited by - on

coexist
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2009 : 20:51:13

So where's the disco ball ? :-)

Redeye's Admmiral/GF

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2009 : 20:40:06

Ray,

I like the variety of color your lights cast in the boat. It is interesting indeed.
I used to be a videographer 10 years ago, I remember the issues with lighting and white balancing.

My next order will be the 3500K warm lights to try out. I have 2 6500K superbright lights in the cabin.
one over the galley, the other over the head. Depending on the intensity of the warm LEDS, I may mix and match
locations to see what looks best.

Thanks for posting pictures, very colorful.

Deric

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 08:00:44

I just ordered five of these LED cabin lights from Catalina Direct yesterday. My friend Dave installed them on his C-250 and likes them. All of my original lights are corroded and do not work, so it'll be nice to have functional permanent cabin lights. I'll post up my results once completed.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 08:08:15

Ray, do you have access to a spectrum and light meter? I am trying to get the info on the DX LED's I bought. It would be interesting to compare the light from them to the CD lights.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 11:56:32

I've got an ambient light meter I'll measure under them at a foot away. I don't have a color temperature meter.

An easy comparison would be to look at two images for each light from the same exposure i.e 8 sec @ f2.8 asa 800 daylight color balance.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 12:36:04

I'm printing your post, adn tonight (after dark) I'll go out and snap a couple pics.

I will take a pic of each fixture (DX LED, other DX LED, cheap LED, and OEM incandescant) from 2 feet with the settings you suggested.

Going the other way, I will take a pic of a page of print set 2 feet from the light with the same settings. On a white page the colour of the paper should show the "blueness" and the blur from camera shake should help judge brightness. I'll try to get the light meter if I can...

You game to do the same?

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 15:13:49

Yepper.. I'll shoot some shots of the lights this weekend, and get back to you. It is not a good idea to use the shots I've previously taken as I don't remember which color balance I was using, nor the exposures.

Use a Tripod if you can. Set the camera on timer ( the setting you use to include yourself in the shot ) to prevent camera shake during the exposure. Just frame a light fixture and the light it gives off falling on the fiberglass. No need for a white paper, we are comparing the same background ( the boat fiberglass )

The 2 feet thing was just for the ambient light meter reading. You read the light falling on a dome on the meter from a given distance.

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