Marine light bulbs nomenclature

[Ratty1978]

Additionally, bulbs for navigation lights need to meet the legal visibility range requirements. I presume that the ones made and sold by known brands of marine products have been tested to be sure that when you need a 1 nm, 2 nm or 3 nm bulb, that's what you are getting.


https://www.boatus.org/study-guide/navigation/lights/

Originally Posted by wholybee

You *REALLY* should order LED bulbs that are designed for navigation lights, which would mean the expensive ones from the major suppliers. (Dr. LED, Aqua Signal, Marinebeam)

There are 2 important issues. One is that cheap bulbs have cheap electronics which will interfere with VHF radios. In particular, even if you can't hear any interference, AIS reception might be wiped out or greatly reduced.

Second, the wavelength of light matters. LEDs are not full spectrum white. So, with a red or green lens, if the red or green component is not the correct wavelength of the filter the color will shift, or not be as bright.

[goboatingnow]

Anyway folks buy what you like in my case they are cheap Alixpress types and for me have worked out fine