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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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DIY LED Dome Light for $5.98

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2012 : 09:45:24

Great ideas all around. I really like the Car string of lights idea.

Edited by - Sam001 on 02/03/2012 09:45:52

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2012 : 15:23:53

Asked about the LED push light at HD. The guy there didn't know what I was talking about.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2012 : 15:48:33

Lowes has a variety in the bulb section.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 02/03/2012 15:48:59

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2012 : 16:17:45

I bought [url="http://www.amazon.com/Rite-Lite-LPL623W-Puck-Light/dp/B000ETQLY6/"]battery powered puck lights at Amazon[/url] for various places that were not well illuminated already:

<center>[url="http://www.amazon.com/Rite-Lite-LPL623W-Puck-Light/dp/B000ETQLY6/"]

[/url]</center>

They are running off of AA batteries.

I wanted to replace three of my OEM house lights, since they consumed a lot of current, the switches were getting flaky and/or the lenses had developed cracks. I went with the [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1569&ParentCat=430"]marine ones at Catalina Direct[/url]. Although more costly, they had the white-red selection switch. Initially I regretted that extra cost (after I learned about cheaper alternatives), but we ended up doing a lot of night sailing last summer, and it was nice to be able to just leave the red lights on all the time while sailing without worrying about the battery draining down too far. If you do night sailing, I think the extra cost of these marine lights is worth it because of the low-consumption red LEDs. Be warned that while CD says that they are the exact same base as the incandescent ones used by Catalina, the screw holes are clocked about 45 degrees, so you'll need to make new screw holes. Also the spectral distribution of LEDs is very narrow, which means you will not see colors very well. It's best to have a couple incandescent lights somewhere on the boat just in case you need to discriminate colors on a chart, magazine, or book.

For the fourth light in the aft berth (which does not need red light), I bought a couple of [url="http://www.dealextreme.com/p/8-led-festoon-bulb-12v-2-pack-5526"]festoon bulbs from DealExtreme[/url] to go in the existing fixture. So far they seem to work fine. Note that they are direction dependent, so you'll have a 50% chance of getting it right, and have to flip them if you don't:

<center>[url="http://www.dealextreme.com/p/8-led-festoon-bulb-12v-2-pack-5526"]

[/url]</center>
If someone finds a link for red festoon bulbs, please post a link. With these white ones and some red ones, there is the possibility of a low-cost LED upgrade using the existing OEM fixtures.

Edited by - TakeFive on 02/04/2012 10:07:32

Dan Greer
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 01:19:19

Yeah, I'm also really interested in the rope lights.

I hope you'll take a picture of your main cabin, lit by the rope lights. I've been considering the same modification, and I'd really like to see your results.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 07:20:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dan Greer
 Yeah, I'm also really interested in the rope lights.

I hope you'll take a picture of your main cabin, lit by the rope lights. I've been considering the same modification, and I'd really like to see your results.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

X2...please post pics and what you did to install....

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 20:41:18

I'll third that request, please! I think the motion SHOULD be granted, now! :)

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2012 : 22:12:27

My next trip to the boat is on the 25th. I'll try to snap some pics then.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2012 : 11:03:44

I bought a couple of strings of LED Xmas lights last year with the intent of using them in the cabin to provide background lighting all around at a low current drain. They plug into my 120 VAC inverter.

Problem is that the inverter idles at 1A with nothing plugged in at all (completely inefficient), so the additional current from the lights puts me at 1.2A. Looks like the LEDs on their own would only take 200 mA.

I've got an idea where I can use a radio shack 6.2V:120V transformer and a 555 oscillator chip to create my own 120V inverter that should take a lot less idle current. When I wire it up, I'll let you all know how it works, and post the circuit diagram and parts list.

Edited by - on

Kim Luckner
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2012 : 13:16:01

I simple search found this option.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t10-ba9s-festoon-0-9w-12v-6-led-car-ceiling-dome-light-bulb-red-16098

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2012 : 13:32:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kim Luckner
 I simple search found this option.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t10-ba9s-festoon-0-9w-12v-6-led-car-ceiling-dome-light-bulb-red-16098
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The original fixtures are yellowed, brittle, and weren't a great design. Most here need more than replacement bulbs.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2012 : 14:10:13

Bought 2 of the lights from Lowes today. Using one in a closet at home, may play with the other one and set it up as a house light for the boat.

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2012 : 17:43:19

I like the ingenuity and the cost of your project.
I have contemplated buying the west marine LED lights for 2-3 years cost $20 @.

But...
Have bought a three pack of surface mount battery LED's.

The batteries have lasted 3 years and I just velcro them up where I need them; the galley, the table the quarter birth.
Total cost for three $9.00

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2012 : 18:04:42

I went to Lowes today to buy another dome light for the quarterberth. They still have the same light, however it is in a new packaging, and comes with a new "upgrade". It now has an auto-off in 5 minute feature. I'm not sure how this will affect things in my case, but I think it will be fine for where they are.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2012 : 07:41:19

I have both incandescent and LED lighting in Passage and while I like the low current drain, I don't like the lower brightness, greater glare and lack of "fill" provided by LEDs. Has anybody found a fixture that provides a solution to this issue?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2012 : 08:23:28

These are excellent for even light dispersal, brightness, and a lack of hotspots. I have four of the 5.5" with the red/white option.http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=8975138&cid=2012Annual

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2012 : 21:42:59

Dave
On your suggestion, I went out and bought a pair of the DrLED 5.5" Mars Dome lights. I look forward to getting them installed soon. By the way, I purchased them at my local WM Boating Store. I noticed that Defender was selling them for $70 each and the clerk told me he'd match the price. Saved over $35 on the pair!

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2012 : 07:27:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I have both incandescent and LED lighting in Passage and while I like the low current drain, I don't like the lower brightness, greater glare and lack of "fill" provided by LEDs. Has anybody found a fixture that provides a solution to this issue?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Go buy one of the dome lights and check for yourself. They're only $6. I think the LED's fill the diffused dome nicely and provide plenty of lighting for where they're located.

I went to the lake this past weekend and was able to install the LED strip that I bought months ago. I am definitely pleased with the outcome!!! It filled the shelf and the wall with a really nice glow that wasn't too white. I could only do one 48" strip, but that one strip provided quite a bit of diffused lighting in the main cabin. I think there will be plenty of light once I get another 36" added to the end of that one, and a 48" on the other side.
It really adds an "updated" look and spreads the light across the cabin better rather than having a focused lamp. And since it has one LED per inch, there were no "streaks" running down the walls. It was an even glow.

The hard part was unwinding it, keeping it straight, and gluing it to the ceiling with silicone. I taped it down while the silicone dried.

Here's the $9 strip again to show what it is:

The camera/picture makes the rest of the cabin look dark, but that's not the case.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 02/27/2012 07:31:35

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2012 : 08:29:14

Oh, that looks spiffy!!! I really like that.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2012 : 10:39:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 I was gonna make another post and wait until I had pics of them installed, but I do have plans for the lights above the settees. I bought a 4 foot and 3 foot LED strip light that is meant for under car lighting. They are very white LED's and are seperated every 1", so 48 LED's for a 48" strip. They are fully encased in silicone and are meant for exterior under-car applications, so they should hold up very well in marine applications. They are also very flexible so that they can conform to the curve of the boat. They are about 1/2" wide by 1/2" deep so they should be hidden from direct view. I'm hoping they will act as wall-washers above the seats.

They're $9 shipped each.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310294586748&viewitem=

I should be able to get pics of all these products installed tomorrow night as I am going fishing again this weekend and will install them tomorrow.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Please do post pictures of this installation. Wall wash lights are a very nice idea to have in addition to usage lights. I would be interested in seeing how you mount these.
Thanks

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2012 : 10:55:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skrenz
 Please do post pictures of this installation. Wall wash lights are a very nice idea to have in addition to usage lights. I would be interested in seeing how you mount these.
Thanks
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I did, two posts up. Came out great!

You can just barely see a few blue spots in there, but that's from the blue tape that I used to hold it up while the silicone cured.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 02/27/2012 10:57:28

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2012 : 20:17:04

Wow - the strip lights really add a nice touch. Have you measured the current draw? A 10W incandescent light draws about 8/10th of an amp, or 0.083A.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2012 : 11:01:44

Ok, so the strip light was kind of a pain to install because of the way it was packaged, and it was in a heavy cover. It kept unwinding on me before the adhesive stuck.

And the worst part...........I don't want just white.

So I'm thinking about going with something like this. It can be cut every 2" or so. And I can change the color from white to red for night vision. Or any of the other colors should I have a wild night.

It's still LED, waterproof, and 12v. $30 shipped. 16ft long, so it should run the whole length of the starboard bench and quarterberth. It draws 1.0 AMP for the whole 16ft, so if I cut it down a few feet, it should drop.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 05/15/2012 11:10:40

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2012 : 11:04:51

Hook up a little controler and you can turn your cabin into a dance floor, with the light changing with the music. It could be very "exclusive", and you'll be able to charge big $$$ for access.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2012 : 11:11:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 Hook up a little controler and you can turn your cabin into a dance floor, with the light changing with the music. It could be very "exclusive", and you'll be able to charge big $$$ for access.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Actually, it does strobe.

SpecificationsF
Color:RGB
LED Type: 5050 SMT SMD LED
Different lights changing modes: Flash, Strobe, Fade, and Smooth
LED Quantity: 300 leds/5 Meter or 60 leds/Meter
Length: 5 M
Package: 5 Meters/ Reel
View angle:120‹
Working Input Voltage: 12VDC
Working Current/meter: 1.0-1.2A
Output power:60-72W /5 Meter
Working Tempreture:-20‹ to 50‹
Size: L500cm (5M) x W1.0cm x T0.25cm
Life spainF50000+hours
LumenF780-900lm/Meter
Color Temperature: 6800 --8000K
WaterproofFYes

Edited by - NautiC25 on 05/15/2012 11:12:13

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