Cabin lights whilst night sailing.

[AIDY]

It occured to me the other day that it might be a good idea to install low voltage red lights (similar to a chart table light) in the the bottom of my seats in the main cabin, to give some extra light / illumination down stairs whilst sailing at night, without effecting the night vision.

Has anybody done this ? what are your thoughts.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[tome]

Yes, I did this on a previous boat and it was very effective. Current boat has it as standard. Make sure the galley area is illuminated also so that the watch can come below and make a brew.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AIDY]

Thanks for the reply tome, assume this was done at floor level. Had not though about galley area, good point.

my intention was to wire them in to the chart table light.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[Guest]

Good idea ..... though doubt anyone has done it at floor level !

Previous boat of mine had a red and white combined chart light that I could swivel / bend the arm etc. to direct across the cabin to have an idea of where to plonk me feet ! Cost me about a fiver and was fitted with a car 12V plug on arm end ..... to fit the cigarette lighter style socket....... reminds me I must get another one ...


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[Koeketiene]

I've done this.

Yanita has 10 halogen spots and 2 tube lights. I removed the perspex cover of the tube lights and sprayed them with red tranparent paint. Works great.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[BustinAround]

Its a great idea get yourself a large pair of night vision binoculars and you'll feel like a U-Boat commander too!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

I've seen it at low level (Swan 47) and high level. Low level is probably better for the off-watch. You only really need enough light to find your way around.

Current boat has 2 red lights at high level: 1 above chart table and 1 above galley. These are normal round lights fitted with low wattage (5W?) bulbs and the lenses painted red. The previous owner had put 20W bulbs in which were far too bright and had burned the paint off. I bought some red glass paint in an art shop and easily restored them, so guess you could do the same to standard light lenses. Between the 2 lights, they give plenty of illumination to the saloon. There's also a red/white flexi light at the chart table, as Nigel describes.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

you can get some red led lights that are perfect for this.


I have a combined white or red light by the pilot berth, which provides my illumination.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

I got a flexible car map reading light (wired in) and coloured the glass red with a red felt pen .. works a treat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

That's a bit extravagant Jim - I had you down as a yoghurt pot and candle man!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AndrewB]

I find the glow of a low powered light illuminating a snug cabin to be a very reassuring morale booster when stuck out in the cockpit alone on watch in cold and wet conditions. Don't think it specially needs to be red, in fact that is a bit sinister. As long as it is not bright or shining directly at you, it won't have a serious impact on night vision.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Roberto]

you can also try 24v bulbs, at 12v they spread a warm glow that does not spoil night vision

or also those christmas tree decoration coloured light bulbs..



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

What was that ....

Blue Peter ..... Here's one I made earlier ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[Guest]

Thinking Blue Peter ....

Anyone got the plans still of the Tracy Island, Val did years ago ????


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[snowleopard]

i found some lights that have red & white bulbs and a 2-way switch, they are fitted over chart table, galley & heads & set to red on night passages.

heard of an owner fitting beta lights in key places so he gould find his way around in total darkness (places like companionway steps)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[robp]

Actually this started me thinking, because modern production boats (mine) are not fitted with red as standard. You could use standard red "Gel", as used for effects or theatre lighting and easily available. It is flexible and heat resistant poly carb or something. Pre-make discs to velcro or otherwise over existing, ceiling mounted saloon and chart table lighting. That way you could convert what what you want, when you want. Idea?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

I'm sure you could make this work provided the bulbs weren't too bright. As AndrewB says, it's very reassuring to see a warm glow from below when on watch on a filthy night.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Kristal]

I nicked the following idea off Mirelle - a port navigation light screwed into the deck beams makes a cracking downward-focussed light for the chart table - another one for the galley ensures a perfect cuppa (one member of our regular crew is particularly exacting about his tea).

/<

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://d205161.u24.uk.assimilatedservers.net/cryspics/>Crystal II in Pictures</A>

 

[BlueSkyNick]

We've got these lights as well, ie double pole switch and two seperate bulbs.

Force 4 are the only chandlery where I could find them - just bought two more last week. Can't remember the exact price but definitley less than 20 quid each.

<hr width=100% size=1>It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

 

[Abigail]

We got some very fab american lights called Alpenglows which are a modified cold cathode tube, so very very low lecci draw, dual red or white. We have one over the galley, one over the nav table and one in the main cabin - and wish we had one in the heads. Makes a big difference to even dusk sailing.

You can also easily get the kind of film which modifies a light. I did it on my last boat and still have two very useful hand torches which have little red perspex circles in. But that way you can't choose different colours at different times.

<hr width=100% size=1>Sarah & Pip

www.greatlittleboats.com
UK & Ireland distributors of Swifgig