Advice on LED lighting

[RichardPerou]

Where may I get advicew on using LEDs for cabin lighting

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[Stemar]

I'm no expert on this, but my local electrical wholesaler has 12v LED lights for domestic use and doesn't see a problem using them for boats. I'd certainly lok at these closely if I needed lighting for my boat. They are the latest technology, and a bit designery, so I think I might want to sit down before they tell me the price!

If you're as broke (cheapskate? ... no, broke) as me, you could be tempted to look in Maplin to see what might be done with components before parting with an arm and a leg!

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[Chris_Robb]

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR
try this

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[spark]

I have recently bought LED clusters and festoon bulbs from superbrightleds. I was a bit sceptical because their prices are so much lower than anywhere elese but they arrived in good time and they work fine. Identifying what fits what isn't always straightforward but I emailed them and got enough help to make the decision.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark</A>

 

[wiggy]

I also bought from superbright and service and price was superb, remember that LEDs are not so bright and have a blue tinge compared to normal bulbs.

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[Chris_Robb]

Which did you get - and are they suitable for replacing ordinary bayonet bulbs - ie not too horrible a light?


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[reeac]

You say that they're "not so bright" - I'm sure that they are more efficient electrically than normal bulbs but the current consumptions that I've seen mentioned are very low. What I'd like to know is what wattage normal bulb their output is equivalent to and the brochures are very coy about that.

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[RichardPerou]

Thanks for the response. I have had a look at the site referred to. The only way that one can compare brightness is by asking about 'lumens' whicj I think is a way of measuring light. Doesn't Nave Regs have tables for nav lights?

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[qsiv]

It is difficult to get LED's that comply with the letter of the Requirements. Proper Nav light bulbs have vertical filaments that ensure a clear cut off angle between sectors, which is difficult if not impossible to achieve with LED's

If you want really high quality nav LED's then have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.deepcreekdesign.com/products.html>these people</A> (but be careful - look at the prices). One reason they are pricey is that the special driver circuits they use to extract best performance for minimum current draw, and to give some protection (LED's are very easy to blow when the engine is running and volts are up).

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[spark]

I got some red 4-led and 6-led (wasn't sure which ones whould fit) festoon bulbs for night lights in heads/saloon/galley and I also got an 1157W19 (cluster on a 15mm bayonet fitting with offset pins) to try as an anchor light. This is the equivalent of a dual filament incandescent but can be put into a socket and wired so that both 'filaments' are continuously lit (to make it brighter). Haven't yet done a comparative test (led v. incandescent) but the nights have got very long and dark so it might happen soon.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark</A>