Aqua Signal mast head tri-colour + anchor light

[mikegunn]

Ian,
I didn't realise that your mast is down and that you've already exonerated the electrical supply to the lamp. If the unit is relatively new I would suggest that you approach the manufacturer with a plea for reparation.

Mike

 

[Plum]

Not entirely true (and I am US).

• MCA nav light approvals for UK commercial shipping (states rec is exempt, but that it must meet COLREGS, though how that is certified is not stated).
• Most lights have stamps on them from other countries. For example, the Aqua Signal light will have USCG number on it. Lalizas have ISO approvals. I'm going to challenge you to find a commercial product that does not have a type approval marked on it. It would be liability suicide. This is true of virtually all safety equipment.
• Interestingly, it seems to call for "not under command" lights to be available for cat 2 yachts. MCA cat 2 yachts. But no type approvals.
• Also ISO 16180 for European countries. I'd be surprised if

"Pride in maintaining the standard" of the boat means ... very little if you do not understand the standard, and in this case, visibility is very precicly defined (lumens and the range of angles). For example, running lights for sailboats and power boats meet a different standard and need to be so marked (the difference is heel).

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve with your comments and challenges. I stated my own observations, experiences and views based on 45 years of boating based in the UK.

 

[thinwater]

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve with your comments and challenges. I stated my own observations, experiences and views based on 45 years of boating based in the UK.

Just interesting. Sorry if I offended. Learning is always good.

Only to inform that there are regulations and standards that are not (apparently) well known to UK recreational sailors. The lights you buy are all from countries and manufacturers that follow ISO and/or USCG norms, that themselves suport COLREGS. It is, to me, quite odd that EU and US require certified lights and the UK does not (for recreational boats only). But you are using certified lights, for the most part, because that is all you can buy, which perhaps is why they don't worry about it.

(I'm a Newby, only sailing for 39 years in the US. Different.)

 

[Boathook]

I have tested the similar Davis Mega Light with the low power bulb, and it does NOT meet the standard, not by several times. With the larger bulb it probably does. The Force 4 light is the Davis Mega Light (look closely at the image--also deceptive that the woman is lit with supplemental lighting). No USCG or ISO type approval makes it an odd-ball product. Also, no way to stabilize against swinging in the wind. Not a real anchor light IMO. Too bad, the concept is good.

All the anchor lights that my parents and myself have used swing about a bit in the wind. Luckily the wind seems to die down overnight. In the early days the oil lamps blew out or ran out of 'oil' and the light given was pathetic compared with todays LED's.
Quite often a light 'moving' attracts attention better which is why cyclists in the UK use flashing lights.

 

[greeny]

I have tested the similar Davis Mega Light with the low power bulb, and it does NOT meet the standard, not by several times. With the larger bulb it probably does. The Force 4 light is the Davis Mega Light (look closely at the image--also deceptive that the woman is lit with supplemental lighting). No USCG or ISO type approval makes it an odd-ball product. Also, no way to stabilize against swinging in the wind. Not a real anchor light IMO. Too bad, the concept is good.

Oh, do I need to stop my mast head moving when the boat is rolling at anchor or that will not be classed as an anchor light either. Maybe buying a cat would help reduce it. I use both, a mast head and a deck level light similar to the one posted but with led lamp installed. Where I anchor a deck level is far more effective and therefore safer than mast head. Using both keeps the pedants happy.

 

[Fizzing]

Less than one year on the water the new Aqua Signal series 34 mast head tricolour and anchor light has water in the top anchor light section. No idea how water gets in there and stays in there at the top of the mast. Presumably a production fault. Finding someone at Aqua Signal/Glamox to replace/refund seems impossible! No answer to e mails from Glamox. A brand to be trusted??

 

[lustyd]

If you add an aftermarket LED bulb, again, there is no certification that it meets the requirements

It doesn't matter if it's LED, if you use ANY aftermarket bulb the certification is lost. This is made very clear in the Aqua Signal docs for the traditional bulb lights, you MUST buy the OEM bulb (if you can find it!). In which case, why not fit an LED, you're stuffed either way.

 

[Fizzing]

It doesn't matter if it's LED, if you use ANY aftermarket bulb the certification is lost. This is made very clear in the Aqua Signal docs for the traditional bulb lights, you MUST buy the OEM bulb (if you can find it!). In which case, why not fit an LED, you're stuffed either way.

To be clear this LED masthead light was an item of original equipment supplied with a new boat. Aqua Signal/Glamox just do not get the "customer" bit...no service at all!

 

[lustyd]

To be clear this LED masthead light was an item of original equipment supplied with a new boat. Aqua Signal/Glamox just do not get the "customer" bit...no service at all!

I was addressing an earlier post, which I quoted. They were suggesting that fitting an LED bulb to a non LED fitting would break certification, I pointed out that certification is broken regardless of bulb type if it's not OEM

 

[Plum]

Less than one year on the water the new Aqua Signal series 34 mast head tricolour and anchor light has water in the top anchor light section. No idea how water gets in there and stays in there at the top of the mast. Presumably a production fault. Finding someone at Aqua Signal/Glamox to replace/refund seems impossible! No answer to e mails from Glamox. A brand to be trusted??View attachment 135842

Thanks for sharing that and hope you get a good response from Aqua Signal. Certainly puts me off buying to replace my existing Series 40 quickfit

You are not the only one Aquasignal series 34 tricolour/anchor light not all it's cracked up to be

and also Aqua signal led anchor tri light

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[PetiteFleur]

Just to add my take on anchor lights. I have 2 - one a cheap Aldi which uses two AA batteries which is very bright and I hang in the foretriangle(I tested the battery life and they lasted 3 days before dimming). The second is plugged into a cigarette socket and uses the boats domestic 12v, fitted with a dusk/dawn sensor - and the LED lamp I fitted. Also hangs in the foretriangle and both are LED. Neither are 'approved' but who will check? I don't have a masthead anchor light as I believe that lights in the foretriangle are more easily spotted.

 

[Misterbreeze]

I fitted Boatlamps LEDs this winter when the mast was down, also to an Aquasignal unit. I tested them with a small gel motorbike battery rather than lug the main battery back from the shed where it was charging. Only some of the lamps worked but using the big battery all were good - let's hope it all still works now the mast is back up, haven't been able to check yet. I'm no electrician, but could it be the smaller battery you tested with just didn't have the oomph required?