[C320-list] Fridge Usage (Now New LED Source)

[Colin Evans]

John,
As I responded earlier, we hardly use lights on the boat this time of year
(early summer in Australia) We tend to sit on deck with a small solar light
and only use cabin lights at bedtime .
We probably use more power sailing for a few hours with the instruments and
VHF radio on.
We don`t have TV, we use a laptop computer/dongle if we want to watch
anything.

Also we have similar problems with pricing for boats.  Add "Marine" to a
description and the price goes up dramatically.

************************************
Regards
Colin Evans
__/)
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-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Frost
Sent: Wednesday, 7 December 2011 11:34 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage (Now New LED Source)

I tried to post his a while ago but I don't think it made it.

One other angle is to attack your other big electron waster, lights. The
only thing worse than running a compressor to keep beer cold is using
precious electricity to heat wires up so much that they glow.

I have tried at least 10 LED's sold by various marine distributors.
They were all in the $30-$40 range, and they were all of Color Rendering
Index (CRI) I didn't find pleasing and most were too dim. I now have a box
of failed experiments.

On a lark, I picked up one Lowes has for 12v G4 style  replacement.
http://tinyurl.com/88plfle
At less than $9, I didn't expect much.

When I tried one out, I was very impressed. Color and brightness almost
match the halogen G4's that came in my fixtures and I can now leave ALL 12
of my lights on at night for about the same energy that a single light used
before. Also I found no interference on FM or VHF and they of course don't
get hot.

I checked the part number stamped on the unit and it is the same as the
marine suppliers are selling for 3-4 times as much.

Happy Sailing!

John
2007 C320MKII
Hull 1118
Guntersville, AL