Dan buoy light

[jwilson]

Just checked the danbuoy light - fitted to top of an ORC danbuoy, and found the bulb had gone, though as far as I know the buoy and light had never been used. Turned out the fitted bulb is an MES "torch bulb" marked 6.5 volts, yet the battery is a PP3 9 volt, that was measuring 9.6v off-load.

This appears to be a Plastimo product looking exactly like this - http://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/37...rrer=FROOGLE&gclid=CMiakciyj7sCFZLKtAodyjAAew

Seems really odd to use a 6.5v bulb on a 9 volt supply, especially as the top of the danbuoy whips around a lot when stowed and sailing - must be lots of stress on the bulb filament. Might try and find a MES LED bulb....

I'd also be curious to know how long a PP3 will power a torch bulb - they are usually used on very low consumption kit.

 

[VicS]

Just checked the danbuoy light -

Seems really odd to use a 6.5v bulb on a 9 volt supply, especially as the top of the danbuoy whips around a lot when stowed and sailing - must be lots of stress on the bulb filament. Might try and find a MES LED bulb....

I'd also be curious to know how long a PP3 will power a torch bulb - they are usually used on very low consumption kit.

Normal for torch bulbs to be over-run ITYWF, but its not a factor when stowed as its not on.

PP3 does seem on odd choice of battery, but then you could not use a stack of D or C cells on top of a danbuoy!

LED the way to go provided not just a narrow beam pointing up at the sky.
Starts to get complicated again if you need to fit a reflector above it to deflect the light out horizontally.