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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Good deal on LED cabin lighting

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2003 : 19:30:43

As all of you cruisers know, power consumption from lighting takes a lot out of a battery if you are going to be on the hook for a few days, and that LED lights use only one tenth of the power, but they are expensive. (My old english teachers would probably croak at that long sentence)

I just received a card in the mail from a company called Marine Mail order and they have some LED cabin lights on sale. they have goosenecks, toggle switches and 3 LED's. 10 bucks each. I have seen the same light for 30 to 40 on other websites. I ordered 5 and will relight my boat.

They are listed in their specials section. They have other LED lights in their lighting section. All regular stock is now 35% off.

www.marine-mail-order.com

If you just take day trips or are a racer you don't need them. My new Honda puts out 6 amps at idle, so maybe I don't need them either.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 21:10:27

<b>"I ordered 5 and will relight my boat."</b>

<img src="http://checkout.verisign.com/isroot/ePages/Images/282282/282282-2034333.jpg" border=0>

Frank,

Before you "relight your boat" you might want to see how effective these LED lights are, before you replace your current lighting. I don't have any LED lighting on my boat, but it is my understanding that they are primarily used for task lighting(reading, courtesy, tight spot...etc.) because they don't put out enough illumination for general lighting.

I'm considering converting my incandescent lighting fixtures to halogen with the use of inexpensive socket converters. From what I gather, I can increase illumination while simultaneously reducing power consumption. Has anyone gone this route?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 21:35:26

Coincidently, Sailnet's current featured article is "Proper Cabin Lighting" by Tom Wood.

<img src="http://www.sailnet.com/images/content/authors/wood/022503_TW_salonlookingf.jpg" border=0>

http://www.sailnet.com/collections/gearandmaintenance/index.cfm?articleid=woodto021& tfr=fp

Additionally, they are having a lighting sale.

<img src="http://www.sailnet.com/images/homepage/promo/store/lightingsale.jpg" border=0>

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - dlucier on 02/26/2003 21:46:09

Edited by - on

Ellis Bloomfield
1st Mate

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USA
85 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 21:51:35

Don, I replaced my lights with halogens (there are two sizes) and am very happy with them. They weren't that pricey from CD. Ellis

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 21:55:52

Hi Don,

Good point on the LED lighting. You do have to be careful about lumen output. Currently my 89wk/tr has only one interior light if you can believe that. I'll leave it in, and just add the LED lights. I want to add some red lights too so I can illuminate without destroying night vision. Will I then have to anchor out in a red light district?

I switched the lights on my C22 to Halogen. I got the parts from CD. you have to get a socket adapter to go with the light bulbs. (but you already know that-sorry) They were ANCOR products. They do have different wattages, and are more efficient than standard incandescents, and have a color temperature leaning more towards white light rather than the incandescent's orange
So I halved my wattage on my bulbs without lowering the light intensity much.
Make sure you don't touch the bulbs with your fingers. The oil is bad for the bulbs as they burn hotter and fingerprints shorten the life of the bulbs.
I thought of just catching some fireflies and putting them in a jar.
Or maybe just having a bright idea would do it

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 22:12:05

Ellis and Frank, thanks for the halogen light info! <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Frank,

Your boat came with only one interior light? Was lighting a factory option or something?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 22:54:35

My daughter sent me a little headband with 2 LEDs powered by a little lithium battery... In darkness, I'm absolutely amazed at the power. I can easily read something at arms' length and see things at 30'. It's directional, but it isn't useless. I'm planning on replacing my fixtures, and will be considering LEDs for most, and maybe a halogen for the dinette area.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 00:03:26

Frank and others,

Not to talk you out of the LEDs, but here's what I did.

<ul><li>I replaced the stock fixture above the dinette with a red/white flourecent (8w per tube).</li><li>I replaced the light above the galley with a round stainless & glass 2-bulb 10w/20w high/low halogen fixture.</li><li>Above the head, I replaced the original camping trailer unit with a marine one of brass and glass.</li><li>In the V-berth, I replaced with a gimble mount halogen reading light.</li><li>In the quarter berth, I removed the original light (which collected water?!), and installed a traditional round glass-brass-teak style under the coaming closer to the middle of the bed.</li><li>One of these days, I'll get around to installing a similar round light above the head sink.</li></ul>

Where ever I replaced an original light, I reused the factory wiring harness.

-- Leon Sisson

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 18:32:06

Yes, Don, my boat only came with one light mounted on the port bulkhead. The DPO did some funky electrical things and I wonder if he removed them. It's really strange.

I'm planning on adding several lights. This will be part of an overall electrical upgrade which will include a 110 volt system, additional 12 volt panel, and some red LED's on a seperate circuit for night vision lighting in the cockpit. (I hope that made sense)

This new boat of mine is SO nice that it deserves several upgrades.
I'll do the high labor/low cost things first as a new boat and motor and trailer and motor mount and group 27 AGM battery and new charger has me really tapped out now.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

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