Anchor lights, running lights, load reduction--What about LE

[Bill Goldsmith]

With all the recent discussion on this board about anchor lights, oil-fired running lights, and reducing the battery load, has anyone had experience with the relatively new LED lights? West Marine's 2002 catalog shows an LED white all-round light that looks interesting, although expensive ($99). As I am rewiring my mast this year anyway, and there is already a very nice installation at the masthead, I would also consider replacing the lamp with an LED. The apparent benefits are no bulbs to burn out (thus reducing trips up the mast)and reduced battery load.

I know the arguments in favor of not using a masthead anchor light (and hanging one instead on the forestay), but since mine is already there with a nice installation, I'm just interested in peoples' experience with LED lamps.

Thanks,

Bill Goldsmith
CD27#173
Second Chance



goldy@bestweb.net

[Kurt]

I've also been reading about LED lighting...it looks like the future direction for marine lighting or any other battery powered lighting situation ...I'd love to get a cabin light of some sort to illuminate the cabin without draining the battery.



kjlgpw@aol.com

[Patrick Turner]

I recently installed an LED cluster from DEEP CREEK design - they call it the "FIRSTSTAR MKII" anchor lite. It's a little bluish in color so it is not difficult to spot your boat in amongst other boats anchored at night and it draws almost nothing...like about 100 milliamps or a little over 1 amp for the whole night...as opposed to around 15-20 amps for a standard tungsten lamp. I have not had a chance to use it at anchor yet since I just installed it, so I can't comment on how bright it is compared to others, but it appears about the same. They are expensive though. My brother who is currently in the Windward/Leeward Island aboard his CD33 tells me that most folks down there use the basic davis megalite hanging from the boom or backstay or forestay or wherever you can get it up off the deck a bit. Deep Creek makes the led units for Davis.

Pat



patrick.t@home.com

[Patrick Turner]

The LED's currently are prohibitably expensive to use as general illumionation for a boat. Take a look at some of the flourescent fixtures (Alpine Glow) or some of the newer units that use cold cathode technology. Any fixture that you tend to turn on and off frequently....like a reading lamp or task light above the nav station or vanity light in the head....can be a standard tungsten or halogen lamp. They don't mind popping on and off and because they are not on for any real length of time..don't consume that much juice. Any fixture that is going to be left on for some length of time...like an anchor lite or general illumination in the galley/salon area or courtesy lamp could be LED (where applicable-$$) flourescent or even halogen(or zenon - not as hot).

Pat



patrick.t@attbi.com

[Don Carr]

Currently Perko, Hella, TaylorMade are developing and/or marketing LED
running lights. They are are very costly but as of yet they are not fully USCG approved. Interestingly, the USCG has budgeted a grant to some firms to do a study leading to approval so I would expect falling prices in the next 12-24 months.
The problem to date is that LED's are very directional lighting so that your coverage for 360 degrees or 120 degrees takes a lot of LED units to cover the whole sector.

FWIW



cards@us.ibm.com

[Mario]

Our boat did not come equipped with an anchor light installed on the mast. The previous owner used one of the Guest 6V lamps that he hung from the main halyard. Guest says their light is visible up to 2 NM, but also says it's not CG approved, which leads me to ask: what criteria must an anchor light be to be CG approved?

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252

Currently Perko, Hella, TaylorMade are developing and/or marketing LED
running lights. They are are very costly but as of yet they are not fully USCG approved. Interestingly, the USCG has budgeted a grant to some firms to do a study leading to approval so I would expect falling prices in the next 12-24 months.
The problem to date is that LED's are very directional lighting so that your coverage for 360 degrees or 120 degrees takes a lot of LED units to cover the whole sector.

FWIW

capedory252@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>I'd love to get a cabin light of some sort to illuminate the cabin without draining the battery.<<

It's called an oil lamp. <g>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



cdory28@aol.com

[Hanalei]

Captain Gordon,

I just love this board, don't we have FUN ? ?

I have two of the Weems and Plath coal miners lamps on gimbles in Hanaleis' main cabin, but unfortunately they are not bright enough to read by, but then again, the ambiance they provide is so great, that one must finish ones Port and the 1st. Mate! ! Upps, don't tell her I said that ! !

Hanalei

[Michael Heintz]

Captains,

I have learned through unknown sourses, that Captain Stump aka(you pick it) has developed a NEW LED light powered by kerosene.

Think of the energy savings......

Dave give it over......

Cappy

[Ed Haley]

eghaley@twcny.rr.com

[Don Carr]

Basically the CG Certification really applies to CG inspected vessels.
All the certification means is that the equipment in question meets some standard that the CG has published. It doesn't mean the equipment is good or bad - much like UL certification or Good Housekeeping Seal. I have posted a link to the CG Systems Engineering
Web Site for your perusal.



carrds@us.ibm.com

[Don Carr]

carrds@us.ibm.com

[Richard Feffer]

When it gets dark, if not stargazing, just curl up in the sack! A most enjoyable place to be!



RichFef@Prodigy.net

[Kurt]

I'm sure my 5 & 8 year old sons would love an oil lamp...just what they need when daddy's at the helm and they have to go potty...not



kjlgpw@aol.com