Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 10-10-2011, 05:16   #1
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
LED for Deck Downlight

Hi
I'm replacing my original Aqua Signal Series 25 Combined masthead/deck light with a Hella Marine Unit.
Aqua Signal aqua signal - Recreational boats - Navigation lights - Series 25 Classic - Navigation lights - Article number 3106012000

Hella Marine Welcome to the Hella marine Online Product Catalogue - Hella marine

The decklight on the Aqua Signal was 20 Watts, on the Hella Unit its 55 watts, probably too much for the existing wiring, and a heavy consumer, so I can replace with a 20 Watt H3 Bulb.

I have seen H3 LED lights
H3 LED Foglight Bulb White - NEW!

and was wondering if they could be used (if they will physically fit in the light housing), or would they be inadequate i.e. just not enough illumination.
At this point, I dont think they will throw out enough light (light is mounted about 8 meters above deck), but maybe some here has tried them or something similar

Appreciate any feedback
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 06:55   #2
Registered User
 
S/V Alchemy's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Check out Marine LEDs Canada . The owner is a nice fellow and I am happy with the product. Any properly sealed housing should be able to take the right LED bulb fitting...or this guy will just wire one or two up for you.
S/V Alchemy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 08:02   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy View Post
Check out Marine LEDs Canada . The owner is a nice fellow and I am happy with the product. Any properly sealed housing should be able to take the right LED bulb fitting...or this guy will just wire one or two up for you.

Have you used them as an deck floodlight?
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 08:38   #4
Registered User
 
S/V Alchemy's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

No, I haven't, as I prefer to use headlamps on deck instead of general illumination. But I suspect something like the 126 lumens model would provide plenty of that.

And if he can't do it, someone else can. Replacement LEDs have come a long way in the last five years. Because they are quite directional, I wouldn't rule out something like a spreader light mounted on a small base angled inward. Instead of a light pointing straight down (meaning you cast a shadow over your work), you could have port and starboard LEDs pointing at the centerline, but offset a bit to avoid "eclipsing".

Then there are the LEDs the fishing fellows use:

http://www.yachtlights.com/cat--Utility-Lights--utilitylights

although personally I would shop at a car accessory place and just waterproof 'em with a bead of silicone to keep the rain out.
S/V Alchemy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 08:57   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

OK,

I'll give the H3 LED bulb a try in the deck light, nothing too lose by trying, the bulbs are quite cheap.
If that is inadequate, I'll use the H3 20 Watt bulb, and then look at seeing what can be made up using say a number of LED bulbs in a cluster.
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 09:11   #6
Registered User
 
senormechanico's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,232
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

I haven't tried this one but it looks good.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
senormechanico is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 09:35   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by senormechanico View Post

Thanks, found them as well after doing a search for 12V LED floodlight, and available in the UK, may try one out, not too much to lose
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 19:58   #8
Registered User
 
Stu Jackson's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,737
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Why bother? How often do you use it? It's like putting LEDs in a steaming light. Heck, the engine's running then.
Stu Jackson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 20:26   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Narragansett Bay
Boat: Able 50
Posts: 3,139
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Take a look at this one. Sounds like what you want.

aqua signal - Recreational boats - Exterior lights - Sylt - Deck light

I don't see any point in a LED deck light because it is on so little. Save the money for LED nav and anchor lights.
savoir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2011, 21:39   #10
Registered User
 
senormechanico's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,232
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

If it was an LED, you might use it more...
For example, if in a raftup, you could leave it on for hours when people are traversing the raft.
senormechanico is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2011, 00:06   #11
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Jackson View Post
Why bother? How often do you use it? It's like putting LEDs in a steaming light. Heck, the engine's running then.

My steaming lights are back up for if my tricolour goes out. I can disconnect the masthead steaming light from inside the boat. I put LED's in those for that reason
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2011, 00:08   #12
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by savoir View Post
Take a look at this one. Sounds like what you want.

aqua signal - Recreational boats - Exterior lights - Sylt - Deck light

I don't see any point in a LED deck light because it is on so little. Save the money for LED nav and anchor lights.
Thats basically what I'm getting, but its combined with the masthead steaming light. The light as delivered comes with a 55 watt bulb, I've got a choice to switch down to a 20 watt halogen, or try and find a suitable LED bulb.
I've ordered an LED bulb, its only $4, so its worth a go
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2011, 20:03   #13
Registered User
 
Roy M's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA
Boat: Searunner 40 trimaran, WILDERNESS
Posts: 3,175
Images: 4
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

I use a variety of lamps on deck. For turning night into day, I love HID (high intensity discharge) lamps at the lower spreaders, 35 watts for two and a half times greater illumination than 55 watt halogens. and red LED lamps for more night vision friendly lighting, located at the source of need: red lights at the windlass and bow roller. I have a standard 55 watt floodlight at the pulpit for wrestling with kelp entangled on the rode.
Roy M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2011, 20:55   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Recently purchased a sailboat that had LED and florescent lighting interior. YUKKKKKKK. First thing I did was get rid of both. That blue LED color cast light is awful. I hope I am never stuck near a vessel with that stuff glaring out and onto my boat.
pft46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-10-2011, 02:46   #15
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,605
Re: LED for Deck Downlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by pft46 View Post
Recently purchased a sailboat that had LED and florescent lighting interior. YUKKKKKKK. First thing I did was get rid of both. That blue LED color cast light is awful. I hope I am never stuck near a vessel with that stuff glaring out and onto my boat.

I now have the combined masthead light/deck downlight, and swapped out both bulbs for LED.
The original downlight was a 55 watt halogen with an H3 fitting, that was really bright.
The replacement LED for that is marketed as a car fog light. It was nowhere near as bright as the halogen, but is adequate for my needs, certainly illuminates the foredeck well enough.

So thats the boat completely LEDed.

PFT46, the LED's fitted to your boat must not have been the "warm" type.
All my interior lights are "warm" type, not harsh or blue at all.
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
LED Deck Spotlights dirkdig Product or Service Reviews & Evaluations 8 05-09-2011 19:49
Alpenglow LED Reading Lights RainDog Product or Service Reviews & Evaluations 1 19-08-2011 05:36

Advertise Here
  Vendor Spotlight
No Threads to Display.


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:07.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.