Best LED replacement bulb for CD berth lights

[Paul D.]

I have replaced our overhead light bulbs with Sensibulbs with great results. The newer ones are warmer than the first ones I used. I think the flat square shape of them may not fit in the berth lights though. Has anyone used them in the stock CD early eighties lights? Or do you have a bright LED replacement bulb recommendation?

[Steve Laume]

I had replaced all of my reading lights as the old ones were difficult to keep polished and the bell reflectors were cracking. Once I did that the little pin type LED bulbs were easy to find.

With LEDs you always want to look for warm white unless you need really bright and rather annoying light, Steve.

[Troy Scott]

Paul,

Go to superbrightleds.com and look at their 1142-WW18-T. I can tell you from personal experience that this is a great product and it will work in your reading lamps. That is if they are the double contact bayonet base type, known as BA15D or 1142. They also have other versions....

[barfwinkle]

Will their festoon LEDs work in the running lights?

Fair Winds and Warmer Temps

[Troy Scott]

Bill,

There are some directional festoon LEDs that are designed for running lights. I have encountered them before. I'll make a note to find time this afternoon to find the source.

[wstringer]

Paul,

The Sensibulbs fit just fine in our berth lights. I have replaced all the old halogens in our 1981 CD 36.

Warren

[John Danicic]

I got one of these for the Series 40 bow light


for Mariah last year. It is two color, red and green and I can report that it works fine. It is indexed with the staggered pins but I did have to "adjust" with a small Dremel Tool grinder, the socket base so the the colors lined up correctly. It puts out a strong light, every bit as bright as the 25 watt bulb it replaced using only one watt. What a savings in power! The stern light is the same bulb in white with no modifications needed to the socket.

The reading light that Troy suggested, the 1142-WW18-T should work well. About five years ago, I got the predecessor to it. It is a spotty, cold light that is highly directional. Dr. Led sells double contact, non indexed reading bulbs as well.


They make a good product and I would recommend them.


Sail on

John Danicic

CD36 - Mariah- #124 on the hard under layers of snow.
Lake Superior- The Apostle Islands
CDSOA #655

[barfwinkle]

So what do you use in the dome light (over the galley and in the head on a 25D)? Tail Brake Turn BA15 PCBs, 1142 BA15D PCBs, T10 PCBs from super bright leds?

Follow the link below and scroll down to PCSs.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... tm#ba15-pt

[Steve Laume]

I used the flat card type bulbs with the wire connector to the base.

I then got some double stick tape and small plastic clips (3/4" or 1"). I had to cut off one of the legs on the clip where the screw hole is. Then it was simply a matter of double stick, taping the back of the LED card to the flat on the clip. Install the bulb base in the socket and then clip the LED to the base.

It seems to work pretty well.

Some of these bulbs do create a slight radio interference at times, Steve.

[John Danicic]

Bill:

I used the Sensibulb in my domes.

That is one great, bright bulb that doesn't look like a bulb. I am sure there are now alternatives to them in the form of "normal" looking bulb. Dr Led has a few as well. The times are a changing.

Sail on

John Danicic

CD36 - Mariah- #124 on the hard under layers of snow.
Lake Superior- The Apostle Islands
CDSOA #655

[Troy Scott]

Bill,

I've bought several of these for purposes of experimentation. The most important features of these "adaptations" are regulated voltage/current and color. Look for a wide voltage range, like 8-32 or 10-30. If it just says 12, or 24, or some narrow range like 10-14, they are using simple resistors instead of a real regulator. Don't buy those. WRT color, "warm white" is generally pleasing in a boat with teak. Other colors can make your teak look greenish and your green cushions may become blue! However, not all "warm whites" are the same. Read the tutorials on the superbrightleds website. Find one you think you might like and buy just one. Obviously these lamps will work better if all the LEDs are pointed toward the lens. Don't be surprised if it doesn't work out that way. Many of these lamps are available with the connections available in two versions to suit your fixtures better. Be sure to check your fixtures and get lamps that will orient themselves correctly in your fixtures. WRT the "tower style", they work well in reading lamps with a white painted reflective surface. They will also work in dome lights, but they will work better if the reflective surface is polished stainless steel or white painted. Many of our brass dome lights don't have white paint inside. That is not a good thing. Any of these brass dome lights will work much better if the reflective surface is painted white (even if you keep the original incandescent bulbs!). You can find high temp white paint at LOWES, but ordinary paint will work if you're using LEDs. I have also found that the reflective surface can be covered with shiny aluminum tape, the kind they use to seal air conditioning ducts, but without the foam.

LED lighting is a huge and complex subject. I have more answers, too many to list here right now.....

[Troy Scott]

Bill,

What Steve did works well. Some folks have cut off the connector and tried to wire the two leads directly to 12 volts. Don't do it! The regulator is in the connector!

[Troy Scott]

Bill, the LED nav bulb replacement that John posted is the one I remember.

[Paul D.]

I recommend the Sensibulb for the overhead dome lights. The one I got last year is a tad warmer in color than the first one I got a few years back. They are both very bright and put off very little heat.

Looks like we have a choice between the sensibulb and others for the berth lights. These are good times for power stingy bastards like us sailors!

[2tocruise]

I replaced all the reading lights (cone style) with the newer version of the sensibulbs. They easily fit, and I've been quite happy with the light they provide.

Sailor's Solutions also has a dimmer switch for use with Sensibulb. I saw it at the boat Show this year and it seems to work well. Might be nice to be able to adjust between background ambiance and task lighting.