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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

LED Anchor light arrives

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/15/2009 : 07:35:01

I've been resisting the LED transition until better data arrives, but seeing these guys made me smile, and I like the business model, so I send my credit card info and waited to see what I got.

http://www.bebi-electronics.com/

Emails from them are definately not auto-replies, and the service was extremely good, especially since they are on an island out in the pacific.

Here is the Bebi "factory"...

The light arrived a few weeks after placing the order, no taxes or duties at the border, and for less than I would have paid at a lot of the more popular online chandleries.

I bought the OWL LED Anchor light, with the auto-on, auto-off feature (turns itself on/off at dusk/dawn).

The light came shipped in a bubble wrap envelope with clear installation instructions, and wrapped in a fijian newspaper (good reading) with a fijian postcard tucked in.

The folks at Bebi asked that I send an email when th elight arrived, which I did, and they sent an apology that the shipping time was longer than they had expected since they gave the time to USA not Canada, and then asked if I would mind them scanning the envelope so they could track down the holdups.

I am very impressed with these folks. A good professional looking product, cottage industry supporting a village in a bizarre locale, designed and built by cruisers for sailors. The light is supposed to fit inside our existing masthead fixture, but I will post an update once I know it will fit, or can be mounted without a fixture at all and left exposed.

Pretesting shows a very bright light, and that the photoswitch works well. I will likely post images and an update to the Iris blog.

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - Prospector on 06/15/2009 07:42:18

millermg
Navigator

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159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 08:32:47

I'm intrigued- the price is right, if it works for you I'll definitely order one up. Let us know how it works.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 08:49:56

I've read about these guys and looked through their stuff. I'm always impressed with cottage industries that can put out good stuff at competitive prices. I've yet to read a bad review about their LEDs, but I've never spoken to anyone who had first hand knowledge, so I'm looking forward to your report.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 08:59:59

We are going for a Canada Day (July 1st) cruise with the club, so I plan to haul it up on a halyard and take some photos from other boats while Iris is at anchor. That way I should be able to compare it to our own (OEM) anchor light, as well as comparing to other anchor lights on other boats in the anchorage.

Of course all this is still initial testing, I have always maintained that the real test is to ask the owner 3 years later how a mod worked out...

The Light is made from a UPVC(??) end cap, which I find interesting as an alternative use for a common material, readily available anywhere. The website suggests making a permanent mount from supplies available at a local hardware store. I like that!

Edited by - Prospector on 06/15/2009 09:01:55

millermg
Navigator

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159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 10:08:49

I'm intrigued- the price is right, if it works for you I'll definitely order one up. Let us know how it works.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 16:46:54

Is it just me?

Doesn't the marks on the woman's back in the posted picture give one pause? force labor?
Reputable company?

Deric

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 17:09:02

A legitimate cottage industry inspired by cruisers, not forced labor. They are able to generate income without compromising their culture.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5408 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2009 : 19:59:55

Chris - have you measured the current draw relative to a standard incandescent light?

I seem to recall that a standard anchor light draws something like 25W (2+ Amps)?

I'd have to believe the LED version draws less than 500 mA.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2009 : 06:32:25

Will do Bruce... but likely it won't be until I have the old bulb in my hands to measure across.

In th emeantime, here are the technical specs on the light I bought... http://www.bebi-electronics.com/specs.html

Edited by - Prospector on 06/16/2009 06:34:36

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2009 : 14:02:07

I bought one from them 3 years ago and it was nice as an all purpose light in and out of the cabin. I left the long cable on it and just string it where I need the light. It suddenly failed after 2 years. I emailed them and they sent me another - no charge!

Edited by - on

Michael Homsany
Deckhand

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Fiji
1 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2009 : 15:58:15

Hi, I know it was in jest, but the 'x' marks are not a consequence of poor performance working for me, but rather what a petulant 3 y.o. thought of her mother's poor performance of taking a nap when she wanted some attention! This sort of thing transends cultures.

If you want to see some cool, 360* pics of East Cakadrove, Fiji, our friends Natalie and HansPeter aboard their boat, 'Nathape' have them on their website here http://www.nathape.com/Mai09FijiSavusavuTaveuniFawnHarbour.htm (They have a plug about us midway thru the page, if that will offend you, don't click on the link).

To get the full impact, you'll need Adobe Flash 10 and be able to read German somewhat (although I'm pretty sure you can figure out most of the caption with the aid of the thumbnail pic).

Sadly, most cruisers seldom visit this part of Fiji, as they check in at Savusavu, and it's (often) a nasty, uphill beat to get to Fawn Harbor.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.