[C320-list] led bulbs again
Warren Updike
wupdike at hotmail.com
Tue Jan 14 19:52:34 PST 2014
Hey, Capts, in 2011 I wrote an article for the Mainsheet on replacing
incandescent bulbs with LED (don't know if it was ever published.) On our
#62, they were the festoon type. I got LED replacements at MarineBeam.com,
and they have been great. (I have no personal interest in the company or
their products.) Be aware of the difference between LED lights for home and
those for use on 12V systems like boats and RVs. Here is what I wrote then:
"One main distinction between marine and non-marine environments is the
voltage range. Typically, we see voltages between 12 and nearly 15 volts
when charging. That means that the current can vary to the point that LED
life is significantly impaired. Constant-Current Control circuits in marine
LEDs insure that currents remain at levels that produce a constant
brightness and protect the LEDs from premature death."
MarineBeam has a constant current circuit. I can't say if this is sales hype
or for real; but, it made sense to me. We have been very happy with them and
the benefit in the battery department is noticeable.
Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
-----Original Message-----
From: jim brown [mailto:jbrown5093 at yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 10:31 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] led bulbs again
Thanks for all the good advice. I think the best approach is to try a couple
of different types before shelling out for a complete replacement. The task
is not made any easier by the information supplied by the manufacturers or
sellers. Some rate in watts, some in equivalent watts, some in lumens, some
in descriptive colors some by Kelvin temperature, etc. Very confusing to say
the least. Some give almost no information except the price. I'll let you
know if I find a comparison table anywhere out there.
Jim Brown
--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 1/13/14, DAVE Swanson <kswanson123 at comcast.net> wrote:
Subject: Re: [C320-list] led bulbs again
To: "C320IA List Server" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Date: Monday, January 13, 2014, 11:30 PM
Jeff,
Here are the LED light strips that I purchased from an eBay seller. I
bought two rolls of these in 2012 for about $35/roll. The cost looks like
it is now about #$20/roll. See the eBay link below:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-Non-Waterproof-5050-SMD-Warm-White-300-LED-Strip-
/310278351343?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item483e07e9ef
I also posted a couple of
photos that I took of my lighting project. See the link below for my
directory to our C320IA website:
http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/album.php?aid=280&page=1
I will take some close up
photos of my lights and switches this weekend when I get down to the
boat.
I
should have those posted by the end of the weekend after the Seattle
Seahawks put a BEAT DOWN on the SF 49ers in the NFC Championship Game this
Sunday.
Dave
David
Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007
C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA
On Jan 13, 2014, at 9:04
AM, Jeffrey Brown <oceanblues at mac.com>
wrote:
> Dave
> Thanks for the detailed report. I looked at the Sensibulb website and
based on my recollection of my boat, I do not have halogens bulbs, not sure
what the specific term is but I think boats of my era are different. I am
indeed wanting to switch all my fixtures/bulbs to LED but I think it will
require a new fixture as well. Any ideas?
>
> However, most interesting is the indirect LED strip lights mounted under
the head liner. Can you provide a better description or ebay seller so I
can look for these?
>
> Thanks
again for your help.
>
> Jeff Brown
> "Out
of the blue" Dana Point, CA
> Hull
78
> (949) 350-5123
>
oceanblues at mac.com
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 12, 2014, at 7:20 PM, DAVE Swanson <kswanson123 at comcast.net>
wrote:
>
>> Jim
and Babs,
>>
>>
I have replaced almost all of my Halogen light bulbs with LEDs. I have
different types in different locations. I read that due to the changing
technology and reductions in prices due to wider availability that it is a
good approach to replace the original halogen bulbs in a staggered
fashion. That is what I have done over the last several years. I started
with replacing my anchor light with an LED and then purchased a couple of
Sensibulbs for the main cabin. Then added other inexpensive LED bulbs as I
have come across good deals. the following is a lost of what I have done
so far on my C320 MK II:
>>
>> 1. In my directional reading
lamps in the main cabin, I have a pair os Sensibulbs. I like these the
best.
>>
>> 2. In my main cabin overhead, I have flat 12V 9 mini LED bulbs that
are a flat G4 replacement that I bought inexpensively at Lowes. I also put
these in the surface fixture lights along the port and starboard side of
the main cabin.
>>
>> 3. In my surface mount light under
the dish "cloud" in the galley I have a nine LED round disc. This light
was one of the first ones I purchased at a marine store. Not very bright
though as a task light.
>>
>> 4. In my aft cabin reading lamps, I purchased front facing disk LEDs
with a pair of stiff plug wires out the back that plug into where the
halogen G4 bulb would plug in. they were inexpensive, say around
$12/each. However, i like the Sensibulbs much more. >> >> 5. I still
have halogen G4's in my forward cabin as this space doesn't get as much use
as the main and aft cabins. Since I now have lots of extra halogen G4s, I
probably will not replace these anytime soon.
>>
>> 6. I replaced my anchor light with
an AquaSignal LED bulb. Make sure the bulb is put in the correct
direction as it will only work one way. It uses only 1/10 of what the
incandescent bulb used. A great purchase for reliability and reduce
amp-hours when anchoring out.
>>
>> 7.
Perhaps the best upgrade that I did was to install adhesive-backed 12V LED
strip lighting along the upper part of the wood paneling above the edge of
the head liner along the port and starboard sides of the main cabin. I
installed a small toggle switch along the back of the surface mount lights
(similar in size and type to the toggle that is on the surface mount
lights) to switch the LED strip lighting on and off. These lights provide
a beautiful indirect warm light along the wood paneled sides of the main
cabin. Great for TV watching and when we are playing cards and games. We
use these lights + the directional reading lamps the most in the main
cabin. I purchased the LED strip lighting from reputable eBay lighting
dealer. I was so impressed with it that I bought an extra roll of warm
white strip LEDs. I am going to install some more of this strip lighting
as hidden under counter lighting in the Galley as well as some hidden light
for the cockpit lockers and even in the trunk of my Honda Accord. I am
going to wire another switch into the galley fluorescent fixture to power
the LED strip and to turn it on and off. there is room in this fixture for
this small toggle switch. I will try to post a picture or two of this main
cabin indirect LED Strip lighting in our C320IA website under my Owner's
Photo Library. I have a bunch of other upgrades photos there are well such
as Snap Davits, Diesel Heater Installation, Starter battery Install,
LinkPro installation, etc.
>>
>> Our
power usage when anchored is much lower now due to these LED lamp
upgrades. I would encourage you to start with just a couple of bulbs in
your most used fixtures and just go from there a little at a time. For me,
I started with a pair of Sensibulbs and have added other less expensive
types of LED bulbs along the way. >> >> Good luck with your effort, you
will be happy with the results.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> David
Swanson
>> S/V Emily Ann
>> 2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
>> Mukilteo, WA
>>
>>
>> On Jan
12, 2014, at 4:14 PM, Stephen Cox <scox at timmin.com>
wrote:
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com]
On Behalf Of jim brown
>>> Sent:
Monday, January 13, 2014 9:22 AM
>>> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
>>> Subject: [C320-list] led bulbs
again
>>>
>>> Looking to change out the halogens
to LEDs. I know this has been addressed >>> in the past but it looks like
the technology is moving fast. I have looked >>> at the Sensibulb 2 units
and the new Sensibulb direct size replacement for >>> the G4 10 watt, the
Dr LED discs, bulbs and now the tower G4 replacements, >>> and those from
Catalina Direct (disc). The Catalina Direct is the least >>> expensive the
Sensibulbs the most expensive. Anyone have any new insight >>> into what
to consider (I want warm white light). Thanks >>> >>> Jim and Babs Brown
>>> Desafinado >>> >>> ======================================
>>>
>>> My
message from June still stands. Ultimately its not the price but the >>>
amount of light produced that's relevant to LED lights. You can waste a
lot >>> of money buying lights that aren't up to the mark.
>>>
>>> Don't know if you
have replaced your cabin light globes with LED >>> ones yet. I have tried
a few different ones in an effort to get a decent >>> strong light for
over the cabin table with reduced power consumption.
>>> Earlier this year I found a really
good one which I can recommend. See
>>>
http://marineledshop.com/g4-bi-pin-led-replacement-bulbs/g4-15-led-bulb-back
>>>
pin-2-3-watt-warm-white?path=37_39 which are $16 each post free. I
bought >>> a couple to try out and they are cheaper and brighter than the
ones that I >>> was using - I feel that my quest is now over.
>>>
>>> Stephen Cox
>>> Tegwen #1141
>>>
>>
>
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