12volt LED "down lighters"

[Guest]

12volt LED \"down lighters\"

Whilst at Port Vendre marina last week and during cofee on a boat the "Nellie Matilde" of (belgium origin) I saw some, what looked like LED cabin downlighters (they looked like the small B&Q type of cheap light you retro fit into the ceiling) whilst I know that these (LEDs) are used on the rear lights of buses and in Traffic lights I have never seen them used in this application they were adequately bright (and the red one over the chart position was exactly what was needed, so as not to destroy night vision. with their record for long life and low useage, I want some!!!. Regrettably, The skipper had no idea where the owner obtained them from, but says he will try to find out. In the meantime does anybody know or has anybody any information regarding them. Oh! they were also used in a strip light form under the steps to the deck and at the base of the masts as working lights, I also believe that they had been incooperated in the compass but couldnt be sure.

Rob

<hr width=100% size=1>robinwdunham

 

[Happy1]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

These were all round the LBS on displays, they are available at most big chandlery's

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[ccscott49]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

I'm not sure they were LEDs, weren't they halogen lights. But if they were, I would like to know about them aswell.

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[Happy1]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

Yes LED's I may still have the brochure, I wanted them fitted to light up my bathing platform and for the inside of the cabin, but due to new forum purchasing restrictions I can't get them /forums/images/icons/wink.gif I have just bought an LED torch, it gives out a nice natural light (not for the boat).

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: 12volt LED "down lighters"

I've seen some made by Hella, including red lights, Force 4 chandlery in Bristol. Not cheap, maybe worth thinking of making your own. Have a look here

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.caving.org.uk/gear/led/wiring.html>http://www.caving.org.uk/gear/led/wiring.html</A>



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[Guest]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

ECS also feature these tasty Hella units in their trade catalogue. Any chandlery should be able to order them. Not cheap as you say. Cheap? A word strangely absent from the marine industry's vocabulary...

Nigel

<hr width=100% size=1>Medway Motor Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mmyc.co.uk>http://www.mmyc.co.uk</A>

 

[BarryH]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

Was in Orpington Caravans the other day. They stock them. From memory there's a cluster of about 8 large'ish LED's in the housing. Surface mount retrofit things. Came in white or chrome look. Can't remember the price though sorry.

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[3reefs]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

I replaced 3 of my saloon lights with the ECS/Hella jobbies.
£24 each from Force 4.

No heat, not much current, no bulb to replace, sounded too good to be true!

Sure enough, there is a catch:
NOT MUCH LIGHT OUTPUT !!

I am waiting for units with 3-4 LEDs in each of them before going down this path again. Ho hum!

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[Guest]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

Anybody got any more comments on these or their useage. I have now spoken with steve who manufactures these in the UK (Rye Marine electronics) it seems that they don`t use hardly and battery at all (I haven`t had time to check mine as yet).

I am however hoping to be able to use one for a masthead light and eventually a cruising light without having to worry about starting the engines in the morning. I Have also spoken with him about converting my navigation lights. I will keep the forum posted

Rob




<hr width=100% size=1>robinwdunham

 

[ccscott49]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

Please do, keep us posted I would be interested in an anchor light and some interior lights.

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[jimg]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

Will they produce enough light for the xx mile range required? I can't remember how many miles are stipulated for nav lights!

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[longjohnsilver]

Re: 12volt LED "down lighters"

Colin this came up a week or so back in one of the other forums, take a look at this site

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR>http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR</A>

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[Guest]

Re: 12volt LED "down lighters"

The Rye Marine Electronics ones have 7 lights in each and are bright enough to walk around the saloon. I never expected them to be like spot lights! but they are more than adequate to have on all the time at night allowing good lumination to any vessel whilst others sleep giving great economy of battery power with no need to replace them for a long time. The red ones are ideal for the chart table, whilst the white are great for reading in bed. I have now also seen blue and green ones in strip form used for underlighters to steps and round multi-clusters as uplighters to masts whilst in harbour, They look really good! The light from them travels a very long way.

Rob

<hr width=100% size=1>robinwdunham

 

[qsiv]

Re: 12volt LED \"down lighters\"

The circuitry to make your own as actually quite hairy, if you want to do it properly, as are the hi output LED's.

Two useful sites spring to mind ..

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.deepcreekdesign.com/products.html>These guys</A> really know what they are on about - quality is the watchword here, not price.

If you want components then <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ledtronics.com/>these</A> people seem to stock more options than most.

I've been using LED's (particularly torches) for some while - a little 2xAAA device lit the jib for 5 nights of racing, with no troubles. Beware - many of the torches dont have reflectors, and thus the light output can be diffused. The LED headlamps (Peli et al) are great as well.

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