Cabin Lighting

[rccolehk]

Am considering replacing the 12V fluorescent lighting in my boat with dimmable halogen lamps but am concerned with the high current drawn and the heat from the lamps. Would appreciate any advice on this from anyone who has replaced their cabin lighting recently.

 

[ex-Gladys]

About to do the same, as a result of redoing headlining. Amber has a 16WThorn square fluorescent that is excellent, so we intend to put some of the more modern 9w fluorescents in for main cabin lighting. We also currently have some 12v IKea mini spots in the forward cabin that are great for reading and don't appear to get too hot. Wouldn't want them flush mounted though, as the shade and post give a significant area for heat dissipation

 

[Nickcf]

[ QUOTE ]
Am considering replacing the 12V fluorescent lighting in my boat with dimmable halogen lamps ...

[/ QUOTE ]

If you don't have mains (240v) powered halogens, 12v supply halogen dimming is not that simple. You would need a DC-DC dimmer which costs around £80+ for 120 watt dimmer. The dimmer also needs to be wired to the 12v negative as well as the +12v (unlike the usual switch which only has the live and switched live wires available). On the heat issue all depends on the surface material you mount them in and the wattage. Even 10w halogen lights are pretty bright but obviously generate very little heat. So long as the manufacturers mounting instructions are followed I doubt there would be any issue on a boat.

 

[PCUK]

I am about to start experimenting with bright white LED strips to replace the fluorescent Vetus lights using the Vetus cases to contain the strips. The idea being that enough LEds will provide the necessary light output.

 

[jollyjacktar]

No doubt you have reasons for change, but I am rather amused that you will replace existing lighting for presumably brighter lighting then you will dim them!!!. Had you considered adding extra lights and turning some off for dimmer conditions. However it may be a matter of aesthetics.

IMHO I consider that far too much bright artificial lighting is being used nowadays and while this is a great thing for the merchants and providers it tends to give the crew night blindness. I much prefer some essential spotlights, over chart table and behaps bunk reading spaces while generally the rest of the cabin space is in the bare minimum dim gloom. Much more seamanlike, but not quite the luxury of the land lubbers lounges.

By the way have you ever considered fitting a chandelier. This would set the tongues awagging at the Yact Club and the ambience would be oh so wonderful.

 

[paulrossall]

I would not want to use such a halegon light on my boat because of the heat they generate and the current they use. Much better with the fluorescent lights and some normal spot lights for reading.

 

[Mirelle]

A bit of a pet subject of mine.

I have understood that fluorescents may cause radio interference, so I've always used filament bulbs with spot lights at reading positions.

I agree that too much lighting is a bad thing.

Do people still go in for red lights or is that now an "exploded myth"?

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I have understood that fluorescents may cause radio interference, so I've always used filament bulbs with spot lights at reading positions

[/ QUOTE ] I may be wrong about this but I think its the cheaper caravanning fluorescents that cause the radio interference. Expensive boat ones are claimed not to. (claimed !!!)

I also think the interference is only to AM bands and may only be on the long wave band. If that is correct it simply means that while you listen to to the long wave shipping forecast you might have to switch off the fluorescents.

 

[Mirelle]

Thanks. Maybe I should give them a try.

(I'm enough of a sailing reactionary to use oil lamps, for the most part!)

 

[Guest]

Re: Cabin Lighting ---- funny word again ... Marine

Having had both caravans and boats with funny enough similar flourescents ... strange thing is when fixing one of the Marine ones on present boat some years ago - I found on taking the cover off ..... what a suprise !! Same as my Pampas GT caravan. I bought exact same parts in Hants & Dorset Caravan Shop as I could have paid 2x more for at Chandlers ... No interererence ... no trouble.

Oh and funny enough in the caravan when listening to various radios over the years on AM and FM - no intereference there as well ... funny ....

Each of my Flourescents in my boat are individually switched by either push button at end or pull cord ... I was going to have a master all on switch as well - but thought what for ? Instead when I get round to it - I will fit a spot near entrance from cockpit to light my way into my cosy interior ....

 

[PBooth]

I am currently rewiring and fitting 2 lighting circuits, one with halogen and one with LEDs, also an LED tricolour at the masthead. The latest LEDs are much improved and the 'warm white' versions are much better than the blueish tint of earlier ultra-bright white LEDs. Prices are coming down and considering that LEDs will probably outlast the boat, they make a lot of sense to me. CPC and UltaLEDs are both good sources of ready made LED lighting and components to make your own.

Peter

 

[gandy]

PBooth, what sort sort of LED do you have in your Tri? Is this a retrofit bulb into a normal lamp, or a purpose-made LED lamp?

Tony S

 

[Gordonmc]

Ditto.
My main cabin has four 12v light fittings each with a bayonet incandescent bulb. I cobbled up lamp holders for festoon LED clusters from Ultraled and fixed them into the lamps. They were wired to the + live and -, by-passing the switch.
With the cabin light switch on at the panel I have ambient lighting from the 4 x LED's and the option of individually switching the lamps for area lighting.
The LED lampholders are the fuse carriers from 13 amp domestic plugs.

 

[William_H]

I have heard that ha;ogen lights do not take kindly to being dimmed (poor life). They are designed to run run at very high internal temperature. As stated also a dimmer would be expensive. I suggest also LEDs(or keep flouros) for dim lights and fit halogen for spot where you need light. Yes when your eyes get a bit crook at focus a bright working light will aleviate the problem. ollewill

 

[PBooth]

I am fitting a replacement LED bulb into the existing Hella tri-light, the mast is down at the moment, but I have connected the lamp to a 12v battery and I can't tell the difference from the original bulb. The LED bulb came from UltraLEDs and is a direct replacement (they have different fittings for the various types of navlights).

Peter

 

[gandy]

Is that this one, with offset pins ?

If so, did you go for the standard, or "warm white" one? I found that the Red segment was very dim with the normal LED, I wonder if the warm white would be better.

Tony S

 

[PBooth]

yes, exactly. I have the warm white type and find the red and green both show ok, I know that some purists will say that these bulbs don't conform to the specifications, but I think the difference is too small to matter.

Peter