convert mast head lights to LED

[rogerthebodger]

A high current helps keep the contacts clean. More important with switches, but I guess it could be the same.

Its more the voltage to break through any corrosion on the contacts rather than the level of current flow. This is why gold plating is used on low voltage electronic logic circuits

With regard to switches its the high breaking current that damages the switch contacts particularly when switching DC currents that does not automatically extinguish the DC current are when switching inductive loads.

Have a look at high current DC contactors where there has to be special devices to kill the switching arc.

 

[alahol2]

led bulbs use less current and the state of the contacts is most important.
some solder them in, seems like a good precaution at the top of the mast.

Several years ago I took to coating all the metal parts of bulbs and holders with a smear of Contralube. I've not had a single contact failure since. Thinking about it, I've not had a bulb failure either. I replaced incandescent bulbs with (warm white) LED clusters a couple of years ago. To me they look like the right colours and at least as intense.