We have sailed the Far Reach for two years without any electric lights--interior or running lights. Though I have not missed having electric lights we decided to give them a try to improve our interior lighting capabilities. So, we purchased a 7x7 Alpenglow Catalina for under the side deck but over the galley counter. And a couple of Alpenglow dimmable bunk lights for each pilot berth. This should save us some AAA batteries we use for our headlamps when reading.
We will still depend on our Kero running lights for navigation and Kero lamps for general interior lighting.
Guess it's time to enter the 20th Century.
LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
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John Stone
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LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
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Steve Laume
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Re: LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
It's a slippery slope. Next thing ya know you might be installing a radio.
What are you going to do for charging? For Raven an engine is a large part of the system but I would love to be able to get by with solar only.
LED lights are the only way to go no matter what system you have in place, Steve.
What are you going to do for charging? For Raven an engine is a large part of the system but I would love to be able to get by with solar only.
LED lights are the only way to go no matter what system you have in place, Steve.
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John Stone
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Re: LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
Steve, without an inboard engine all I have for charging is a 30 watt flexible panel and a 100ah AGM. I don’t have much to power—a compass light and the AIS. I installed the battery and panel after we launched the boat. We have two 12v drops so we can power a couple of clip on fans when it’s super hot inside the boat. We can use the drops to charge a cell phone and a lap top when we take one with us. That’s it.
Our vhf is handheld and powered by AA batteries. Our SSB receiver is a Sony GR 7600 powered by AA batteries. We don’t have a SSB and we have no plans to install one. We use a sounding line so no depthsounder or chart plotter to power.
We have managed very well so far. We have never had the battery below 80 percent and we were in the Caribbean then with both kids using the lap top for school. So I think we will be OK. If necessary I can add another 30 watt panel on a separate mppt controller.
The only thing Gayle wanted was better lighting in the galley but, in a moment of weakness I purchased the bunklights too.
Time will tell but I am confident we will enjoy them.
Our vhf is handheld and powered by AA batteries. Our SSB receiver is a Sony GR 7600 powered by AA batteries. We don’t have a SSB and we have no plans to install one. We use a sounding line so no depthsounder or chart plotter to power.
We have managed very well so far. We have never had the battery below 80 percent and we were in the Caribbean then with both kids using the lap top for school. So I think we will be OK. If necessary I can add another 30 watt panel on a separate mppt controller.
The only thing Gayle wanted was better lighting in the galley but, in a moment of weakness I purchased the bunklights too.
Time will tell but I am confident we will enjoy them.
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Sea Hunt Video
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Re: LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
I preface my question with the admission I have less than a minimal understanding of electrical systems.John Stone wrote:We have two 12v drops so we can power a couple of clip on fans when it’s super hot inside the boat. We can use the drops to charge a cell phone and a lap top when we take one with us.
What is meant by your tern "two 12v drops"
I am assuming it references a 12v battery set up to power one of your clip on fans. Does the term "drop" signify something more technical than a 12 battery set up:?:Fair winds,
Roberto
a/k/a Sea Hunt "The Tadpole Sailor"
CDSOA #1097
________________________________
"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778, as quoted in Naval History and Heritage Command, http://www.history.navy.mil
Roberto
a/k/a Sea Hunt "The Tadpole Sailor"
CDSOA #1097
________________________________
"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778, as quoted in Naval History and Heritage Command, http://www.history.navy.mil
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John Stone
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Re: LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
Roberto,
I have two 12v bayonet style recievers on flexible wire extensions. I have one 12 volt drop on a flat duplex connector. They are all run through races and wire tied but have about 2’ length on the end where they can be moved around or tucked out of the way when not used. One terminates near the chart table and one terminates at the forward end of the saloon near the foot of the port pilot berth. I can plug a phone charger into them or a laptop or a fan or a small 12v vacuum we keep on board.
The flat plug terminates near the back of the stove. When I need to have a compass light I unroll the wire from the back of the compass (it’s hidden inside the box that covers the backside of the compass above the stove) and plug it in. I also have a LED anchor light on a 15’ wire extension. It has a photo cell and I can plug it into the flat connector if I have to be away from the boat multiple nights. Under such a scenario I wouldn’t be there to fill and light the kerosene anchor light. I hang that particular anchor light off the back stay.
Another way to describe it is to say that only the drops are hard wired into the distribution panel. Except for the AIS. It is hard wired into the panel. And of course the LED lights will be hard wired into the panel once they are installed.
I don’t have a picture handy of the plugs but below is a screenshot of something similar. I cut the wire off and wired the socket into my 12 Awg Marine tinned wire run.
I have two 12v bayonet style recievers on flexible wire extensions. I have one 12 volt drop on a flat duplex connector. They are all run through races and wire tied but have about 2’ length on the end where they can be moved around or tucked out of the way when not used. One terminates near the chart table and one terminates at the forward end of the saloon near the foot of the port pilot berth. I can plug a phone charger into them or a laptop or a fan or a small 12v vacuum we keep on board.
The flat plug terminates near the back of the stove. When I need to have a compass light I unroll the wire from the back of the compass (it’s hidden inside the box that covers the backside of the compass above the stove) and plug it in. I also have a LED anchor light on a 15’ wire extension. It has a photo cell and I can plug it into the flat connector if I have to be away from the boat multiple nights. Under such a scenario I wouldn’t be there to fill and light the kerosene anchor light. I hang that particular anchor light off the back stay.
Another way to describe it is to say that only the drops are hard wired into the distribution panel. Except for the AIS. It is hard wired into the panel. And of course the LED lights will be hard wired into the panel once they are installed.
I don’t have a picture handy of the plugs but below is a screenshot of something similar. I cut the wire off and wired the socket into my 12 Awg Marine tinned wire run.
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Re: LED Lights for the FR? Say it isn't so!
If you're doing them for the sake of simplicity I think you are headed in the right direction.
I upgraded CC to all LED a few years back and we get along most days with just a 16W panel even when cruising. That's an AIS radio and chart plotter for 8-10 hours per day and the lights for 4 hours or so. We run the engine for about 30 mins every other day but have gone 4-5 days just sailing. If at anchor, even longer but I haven't kept track. I have just a group 31 battery; I try not to go under 50% SOC.
Jeff
I upgraded CC to all LED a few years back and we get along most days with just a 16W panel even when cruising. That's an AIS radio and chart plotter for 8-10 hours per day and the lights for 4 hours or so. We run the engine for about 30 mins every other day but have gone 4-5 days just sailing. If at anchor, even longer but I haven't kept track. I have just a group 31 battery; I try not to go under 50% SOC.
Jeff