Converting to LED ...

Refueler

Refueler

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Am I the only one who is moving through items on board and replacing with LED ?

So far I have replaced

Nav light bulbs
Forecabin main light complete, Main cabin will be later this season.
Personal lights above each bunk (termed guitar lights - they have bendable arms and clip to mount where wanted)
Cockpit overhead hanging light

The amps saving and increased lighting is significant ...
 
Of course I would expect most modern current builds to have LED ... but being an owner of a 1970's boat like many other people - we basically sail along with the gear and replace when needed.
The last couple of years - LED seems to have blossomed and anywhere you go now - Supermarkets etc. have LED alternative lamps and bulbs.
I resisted the change while pricing was IMHO too high. But now - price of LED units is now low ... the strip light unit I fitted in forecabin was actually only a few pence more than the old flourescent tubes my old had. The light level is higher and amps draw is significantly less.
 
The only downside to LED conversion is the brightness. Our ceiling lights on a Jeanneau have been replaced with the lowest wattage LEDs I could find and it's like living on the surface of the Sun! I'm actually planning to fit a lamp just so we can have some dimmer lighting!
 
lustyd said:
The only downside to LED conversion is the brightness. Our ceiling lights on a Jeanneau have been replaced with the lowest wattage LEDs I could find and it's like living on the surface of the Sun! I'm actually planning to fit a lamp just so we can have some dimmer lighting!
Click to expand...

You can have dimmable LEDs.
 
You can if you fit a dimmer switch and get more expensive LEDs! I just changed the bulbs as I didn't want a project I just wanted LED :)
 
lustyd said:
The only downside to LED conversion is the brightness. Our ceiling lights on a Jeanneau have been replaced with the lowest wattage LEDs I could find and it's like living on the surface of the Sun! I'm actually planning to fit a lamp just so we can have some dimmer lighting!
Click to expand...
Change to warm whites, very cosy in our Jeanneau, some of the original ones could make the varnish look green-ish
 
Clancy Moped said:
Change to warm whites, very cosy in our Jeanneau, some of the original ones could make the varnish look green-ish
Click to expand...
It's not the colour temp that's the problem, they are warm white. The problem is that despite being the lowest available wattage they are exceptionally bright so it's like having 4x100W bulbs in a room of your house. We also have the four spot lights in the corners, but again they're very bright so I'm going to fit an extra lamp and put a shade on it to make it more cosy, I just need to find a 12V light that's a bit "lampy" in appearance
 
lustyd said:
It's not the colour temp that's the problem, they are warm white. The problem is that despite being the lowest available wattage they are exceptionally bright so it's like having 4x100W bulbs in a room of your house. We also have the four spot lights in the corners, but again they're very bright so I'm going to fit an extra lamp and put a shade on it to make it more cosy, I just need to find a 12V light that's a bit "lampy" in appearance
Click to expand...

Wait a year or two; as you get older, brighter lights are welcome.
 
lustyd said:
It's not the colour temp that's the problem, they are warm white. The problem is that despite being the lowest available wattage they are exceptionally bright so it's like having 4x100W bulbs in a room of your house. We also have the four spot lights in the corners, but again they're very bright so I'm going to fit an extra lamp and put a shade on it to make it more cosy, I just need to find a 12V light that's a bit "lampy" in appearance
Click to expand...

You could fit a small DC-DC converter in the supply to the lights, turn the voltage down until the light level is what you want. Or, fit remote dimming.
 
lustyd said:
It's not the colour temp that's the problem, they are warm white. The problem is that despite being the lowest available wattage they are exceptionally bright so it's like having 4x100W bulbs in a room of your house. We also have the four spot lights in the corners, but again they're very bright so I'm going to fit an extra lamp and put a shade on it to make it more cosy, I just need to find a 12V light that's a bit "lampy" in appearance
Click to expand...

These would be a good idea for a table lamp. Standard BC Bus bulb works on 8-30 volts.

B22 24 LED Golfball bulb for converting B22 Bayonet fittings to low voltage
 
Had LEDs on my last boat and fitted them to this one as soon as i bought it, the old tube light made it very dark inside and used too much power. All interior lights are LED with remote switching/dimming, the main saloon has 8 LEDs that can b e individually controlled in four pairs, all 8 on full if darning socks etc, or usually the middle four turned down low for watching TV etc. The aft pair can also be turned on remotely via keyfobs on my vehicle key rings. Anchor light is LED, with a photo cell, so it turns itself off at Sunrise. Steaming and deck lights also LED, the deck light can be remotely switched using the afore mentioned keyfobs. Sidelights and stern light still incandescent, on the job list but a way down as i rarely night sail these days.
 
PaulRainbow said:
You could fit a small DC-DC converter in the supply to the lights, turn the voltage down until the light level is what you want. Or, fit remote dimming.
Click to expand...
Now you mention it maybe I should try one with a 12V supply and see if it's better
 
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