Cable size for LED nav lights

[superheat6k]

I want to replace the bulbs on my mast nav lights - all round white and steaming - with LED bulbs, and reduce the cable size from 2.5mm2 to ideally 0.25mm2, but I can't find information in regard to the lesser current draw the LED bulbs will need.

From the joint position onto the original 2.5mm2 cable the distance to the furthest LED will be 4m, so a total cable length of 8m.

Can anyone point me to a full technical reference for LED nav lights ?

 

[Helidan]

I wouldn't go too thin with your cables! Most of the LED lights I have seen work fine from as little as 10 volts so 1.0mm2 cable would be sufficient. When I rewire my boat later this year I'll be using 2.5mm2 for just about everything.

 

[reeac]

I think that mechanical strength of the wiring will be the determining factor in that application, not current carrying capacity. Best to stay with 2.5 mm 2.

 

[Kilo]

These people have good info:
Auto & Marine Electrical Cable | 12 Volt Planet Low Voltage Cable

 

[Boathook]

I want to replace the bulbs on my mast nav lights - all round white and steaming - with LED bulbs, and reduce the cable size from 2.5mm2 to ideally 0.25mm2, but I can't find information in regard to the lesser current draw the LED bulbs will need.

From the joint position onto the original 2.5mm2 cable the distance to the furthest LED will be 4m, so a total cable length of 8m.

Can anyone point me to a full technical reference for LED nav lights ?

If you are just replacing the bulbs BAY15D Bi-Colour 50 LED Waterproof Lamp for Boats up to 20M (65ft) Boat Lamps) has all the technical info for each bulb. I purchased mine from here quite a few years ago and they work well.

 

[Boathook]

I wouldn't go too thin with your cables! Most of the LED lights I have seen work fine from as little as 10 volts so 1.0mm2 cable would be sufficient. When I rewire my boat later this year I'll be using 2.5mm2 for just about everything.

I read that someone else was doing that. So much cheaper than using different sizes, except for a few high power items.

 

[Helidan]

I read that someone else was doing that. So much cheaper than using different sizes, except for a few high power items.

I say keep it simple! I will need a short length of 7-core for the mast electrics, 12 volt planet have got some great stuff.

 

[bedouin]

I want to replace the bulbs on my mast nav lights - all round white and steaming - with LED bulbs, and reduce the cable size from 2.5mm2 to ideally 0.25mm2, but I can't find information in regard to the lesser current draw the LED bulbs will need.

From the joint position onto the original 2.5mm2 cable the distance to the furthest LED will be 4m, so a total cable length of 8m.

Can anyone point me to a full technical reference for LED nav lights ?

It varies from light to light but most Navigation LEDs lights will draw around 0.25A per light and certainly less than 0.5A

 

[Boater Sam]

Cable rating twice the fuse rating.