Rather than Continuing to Buy 'Bulbs' ...

[Just a Tinch]

It seems that fluorescent tubes and bulbs for 12V fixtures are getting more and more expensive.....and then there are the issues with having to worry about ballasts and such going bad..... SO...I decided to start converting all of the light fixtures on the boat....a Gulfstar 44' MC ....into LED lit fixtures.

I have been purchasing my LED's from SUPER BRIGHT LEDS home and have gotten super good service, good prices and the LED's have worked very well in the different ways that I have used them......

[Cheechako]

boy, you gotta want them pretty bad at those prices! The incandescents seem to last a long time on a boat..... the fluorescents are another story....

[tackdriver]

LED's are fantastic in terms of power usage. They last about 10,000 hours if the voltage is stable - if you get allot of fluctuation in voltage it will kill them much more quickly. I've converted one of the rooms in my house to use LED downlights, admittedly they were $50 a bulb, but now that room is lit using about 20 watts.

I read some interesting info online about using them as mast head lights, the type of light they put out is visible at greater distance than the equivalent candlepower incandescent light.

cheers
James

[David M]

How is this light different? The only variations between different types of light is frequency, intensity and polarization. Not to be a doubting Thomas, but I think the manufacturer may not be playing it straight with us if we are supposed to believe there is something magic about this light. Sure, LED's are more efficient.

[tackdriver]

Here's the web page I was reading - it was a while ago and I haven't re-read it so I won't paraphrase, but these guys seem to be pretty into the science behind the product.
Bebi Electronics-What Our Marine RV & Off Grid LED Specifications Mean
cheers
James

[s/v 'Faith']

I have a Bebi electronics LED 'Owl' anchor light. I can tell you that you can see that thing much farther away then a regular bulb.. no comparison.

[rtbates]

I've replaced all of Seraph's lamps with LEDs, including the running lights from various sources. I then found these LED lighting, soundproof, Sailor's Solutions Inc.. I like them. They are dimmable and the amount of light is staggering

[bstreep]

I've replaced all but 1 of our fluorescents with LEDs. I use the Endorl Stars from LED supply, along with a buck puck for a power source. Here's the thread I started:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ate-14408.html

It ain't cheap. It runs about $60 a fixture, just for the parts. But, I get an incredible 870 lumens out of each fixture. They are REALLY bright, and use 40% of the power of the fluorescents.

[Roy M]

I've been using Taylor cold cathode fluorescents for some time and have had no problems, and fabulous general area lighting. Has anyone else had experience, over time with them?

[James S]

Any new tech. on this subject...I'm getting ready to buy all new area lighting and wonder if there is any new info on this...Bstreep are you still happy with your choice?
How about you Randy?
Updates?

[MarkJ]

Hi James,

maybe my eyesight is going but these leds seem to be getting dimmer.

The Festoon bulbs - one in the nav station and one the aft nav light last only about 6 months before the little diody thingies start flashing then die.

I am sure the 9 led ceiling lights are fading.

Also they are much more direct lighting that old style so I am thinking of getting several more to work as indriect lighting to supliment the total ambience of the saloon. Now its like a cave with a torch

But they are great for power consumption!

At least we can run nav lights at night with no power problems! Yippee!

Maybe the USA has better quality LEDs


Mark

[James S]

Wow Mark....Thats the first time I've heard such a bad report on LEDs....Thanks.

Power consumption is important but good lighting is the objective.

I've already bought some "Sensibulbs" for reading lights but I may look at the cold cathodes for area lighting.

Have you tried them?

Dont forget my offer when you pass through Yemen.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by James S

I've already bought some "Sensibulbs" for reading lights but I may look at the cold cathodes for area lighting.


Dont forget my offer when you pass through Yemen.

This one is a sensibulb... its the first I have seen with a round base that should fit a 52mm hole. The only ones available in Aust have the oliptical base so the edges of the existing hole are still visable! But the price! US$40!

I don't think its amatter of going to cold cathode. I just think we are after a etter, bigger selection of reasonable priced LEDs.

The Carribean will have them by the time we are there next year.


Yes, of course we will drop in to see you. We will still be a bit highly strung from the trip. so you might have to talk quietly and not slam any doors



Mark

[James S]

I'll be real quite.......ssssshhhhhh

[barnakiel]

I have seen both nice and not quite so nice applications of LEDs. Some quote the fail rate is pretty high, too. And I found the color of the light too cold to my liking most of the time, and too little of it too.

Still, half of my torches are LED by now (and I love them) and my tri-color is the next thing to go the LED way. We can only hope the technology will become cheaper over time.

Inside, unless underway, I use a small inverter and run my cabin/kitchen lights from 220 Volts - standard household units with the "newer" Philips warm tone fluorescents - and they work great (and they last 3 years+ ). Much nicer and at least as power efficient as the older fluos.

b.