Ideas for engine area lights?

One or two industrial standard bulkhead fittings ( ie metal and glass) that will either take low voltage bulbs or that you can modify to do so.

Like wise I should think for the lead lamp although you'll probably find a suitable one for 12 volts amongst the car accessories/ garage workshop stuff.
The guy at the MOT test station I use favours LED ones.
 
The 'wandering' one should have a plastic case/chassis and a strong clamp. Then you can put it in the right place and it won't splat if you touch a bit of live leccy on the way...
Worthwhile having it fitted with the same plug that fits all the other sockets round the boat.
 
I used to have flat square fluorescents, from ASAP, about £22 each. They gradually failed after many years, one problem was if I dropped something on deck the tubes fell out down below. Now I have £5 bulkhead lights with 20W lamps in. I would like to have LED ropelights, they are about £1 per metre in 240v, but £14 in 24v, unfortunately.
 
I put three of those sticky-backed push-on/push-off white LED cupboard lights in my engine bay at strategic points (illuminating the dip stick, alternator belt and something else). For the amount of time they'll be used I thought it hardly worthwhile to fit wired lights.
 
elton said:
I put three of those sticky-backed push-on/push-off white LED cupboard lights in my engine bay at strategic points (illuminating the dip stick, alternator belt and something else). For the amount of time they'll be used I thought it hardly worthwhile to fit wired lights.
Click to expand...

Probably not the same for you, but in my case I would be worried about running the batteries flat if I had a prolonged repair to do at sea.
 
Be careful of flourscent lights in machinery spaces, becuase they effectivly strobe they can make a rotating object appear stationary at certain speeds (although to be fair you would tend to hear the engine running and know it was on!); so if nothing else its just a general reminder to all.

Ants
 
stefan_r said:
hmmmmmmm....interesting, not a bad idea!
Click to expand...

Those lights can be got at Poundshops & similar - 3 for a quid. The batteries will be rubbish, but that's cheap enough to fix - bulk branded batteries can be bought at the same time for another quid.

I have one of them in my engine room, one in the cupboard under the stairs at home and a spare on the boat as a roaming light for lockers etc. I also have a couple of "wind-up" led torches (one on a headband) for occasional use.
 
B&Q do some with one LED but the IKEA ones are best with three. as Searush says the batteries are scrap but then IKEA batteries are very good value too. We have lots of these things scattered around dark lockers and those places where a little light is a god send - like in the engine compartment or where the sea cocks are or behind the main switch panel etc. They dont get used very often but when they do . . . .

Point taken about the battery running down if left on but rather three flat little AAA's than the main battery bank out to lunch.

Also if the fault you are trying to chase IS a flat main battery or a total loss of sparks then 12v hard wired lights wont work.
 
Blind as a bat

With my old eyes I need lots of light. So I use florescent in the engine bay as they cast less sharp shadows. I bodged together two head lamps (the head variety, not the car variety), as one was not bright enough, so I can take the extra light hands free. For a wander lamp, a conventional 200W bulb and a small inverter to run it off batteries. When I need light, I need light.
 
Marsupial said:
B&Q do some with one LED but the IKEA ones are best with three. as Searush says the batteries are scrap but then IKEA batteries are very good value too. We have lots of these things scattered around dark lockers and those places where a little light is a god send - like in the engine compartment or where the sea cocks are or behind the main switch panel etc. They dont get used very often but when they do . . . .
Click to expand...


You can get the stick on LED lights now with built in PIR sensors, they come on ehwne you open the locker or hatch and go off when its shut, with these the battery should last for ages.
 
Engine Bay Lights

We have bought some of these:-

PIRLEDLIGHTFORBOAT.jpg


We will put two in the engine bay, and one in each wardrobe. Also one just inside the cabin entrance to provide instant light, avoiding the usual fumbling around in the dark for the main panel light switch.(yes we always forget a torch).

Cheers,

Michael.
 
Anthony said:
Be careful of flourscent lights in machinery spaces, becuase they effectivly strobe they can make a rotating object appear stationary
Click to expand...

I know this is an issue with lathes and milling machines, but I thought it was specifically a 50Hz flicker with mains fluorescents. Would you still get it with 12v DC ones?

Pete
 
Lights

prv said:
I know this is an issue with lathes and milling machines, but I thought it was specifically a 50Hz flicker with mains fluorescents. Would you still get it with 12v DC ones?

Pete
Click to expand...

You are right flourescent lights that run on 12v have an inverter supply AC at 400 to 1000hz so the strobe effect is not apparent like domestic floros that run on 50 hertz.

i would n't fit 12v flouros however as they are very unreliable. The fine wire in the transformer will not take corrosive atmosphere. At least that is my theory.

You need multiple lights either incandescent or LED to minimise shadows. If you go for those incredibly cheap LED cupboard lights with a switch (24 leds for 2squid at my local shop) that run on 4.5 volts. You can open them up bypass the switch and connect 3 in series. Run it all on your 12v battery. I reckon about 6 lights would do you well. good luck olewill
 
emandvee44 said:
We have bought some of these:-

PIRLEDLIGHTFORBOAT.jpg


We will put two in the engine bay, and one in each wardrobe. Also one just inside the cabin entrance to provide instant light, avoiding the usual fumbling around in the dark for the main panel light switch.(yes we always forget a torch).

Cheers,

Michael.
Click to expand...


Can't find them on Google. Where did you get them? And how much are they? They look ideal for lots of unlit places.
 
engine bay lights

Hi John,

Found them in a shop here in Porto! It was the idea I was putting forward, because with the auto function of 20, 60 & 90 secs. it lends itself to a variety of uses for us onboard. We have tried them in our wardrobes here (great evening entertainment), and they work very well. Its the auto function which is most useful to us. Fixing for us will be by velcro, to avoid drilling holes and allowing for moves.
Made in China of course, but probably available in UK somewhere.

You could look on the websites of

www.dmail.it
www.dmail.pt
www.dmail.es

Good hunting,

Michael.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top