Interior Lighting

warwicksail

warwicksail

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Dec 2007
Messages
219
Location
Carmarthen West Wales UK
wwc.co.uk
Hello,
I have got to the task of replacing interior light s in my sailboat, there are so many options I am running a 12v system and at the moment my only method of re-charge is the output on my mariner sailmate so conserving power is a key factor.
Can anyone shed any light /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif(sorry) on best options
cheers guys
 
Don,t like them as they give such a cold light, but LED is the way for you to go I think. Or, as I had for years, lovely warm light and a bit of heat, Parafin lights. Bill.
 
Having struggled with limited (or completely absent) charging capabilities on small boats for years, I suggest a combination of
(1) ordinary (incandescent) light bulb lights in strategic places (wired to main battery) so you've got lights you can just switch on when you need light quick, but don't use these for long periods, together with
(2) Portable lamps hung up in the cabin for evenings afloat, or other long periods, etc., Here i favour a combination of a camping gaz portable lamp and dry cell battery led light portable lamps.

The LED lamps last amazingly long times, can also be used as anchor (or in small enough boat, main navigation) lamp and won't blow out in the wind, but like all LED lights I've found, give off a horrible light, so useful as background but not nice for main light.

The camping gaz one is good because, like a paraffin lamp, it gives off significant heat, but you don't have the potential smell, mess and small boat storage issues of the paraffin lamp (note even so-called 'hurricane' paraffin lamps blow out in a force 5, in my experience). The light isn't as nice as paraffin, but it's OK.

We've also used candles, which give off a nice light and a surprising amount of heat (well that's how it seems when you're cold!), and can even be scented if you like!. But be v. careful of knocking over etc. We used to keep a bag of nightlights (v. cheap from supermarket), and light up say four or six on a tray, depending how much light we wanted wanted. You can get hanging candle lamps, which would be safer, but I haven't seen a practical, rather than purely decorative, one on sale for a long time (try camping suppliers).

I bought a nice brass paraffin interior bulkhead lamp years ago, but have never found anywhere to mount it in any of several small (16 to 22 ft) boats where it wouldn't be completely in the way. Portable paraffin lamps have ended up sharing cramped lockers, and always got knocked over and spilt their fuel.

You can also get Coleman (and other brands) petrol lamps. I don't like the idea of pressurised petrol in a cabin, myself (sounds a recipe for disaster), but at least you've already got the fuel to hand.

Of course the alternative is to go to bed/pub (delete as applicable) when it gets dark!
 
Just picking up on the "horrible light" theme re. LED's, I converted my incandescent 12v ceiling lamps by wiring in festoon LED's alongside. With the master cabin light switch on the LEDs come on to give an effective background light. The incandescents can be sswitched on individually.
I find having three LEDs and one incandescent or a paraffin lamp on eliminates the coldness.
I tried a tilley lamp for a while but the noise is annoying. With darkness from 16.00 in winter and late dawn, low power consumption is a priority. The only thing I haven't cracked yet is a decent reading light, so the head torch looks like being used for some time to come.
 
As others have pointed out, LEDs emit a rather cold light, but for general work I don't find this a problem. I fitted LED striplights made by Varad, which are designed for fitting under custom cars. For "ambience" I use a small oil lamp and find a combination of oil and electric cosy and practical.
 
I too find a camping-gaz style lantern very effective when you want a lot of light ....especially in winter when the heat is useful. However used for 6 hours-plus in winter the cost of the cartridges is not insignificant, even using the cheapest own brands.

I know you can get lanterns to fit on the larger Gaz bottles, but that starts getting unwieldy. Does anyone know if low-pressure fixed gas lamps as were common in caravans about 50 years ago are still available? (They ran off the 28mb regulated gas and had solid mantles). I have seen the mantles still available in caravan shops, but not the actual lights.

Vic
 
[ QUOTE ]

I tried a tilley lamp for a while but the noise is annoying.

[/ QUOTE ]

That noise is perfect...I grew up with that noise.. every night onboard.
That noise means snug. It says that everything is ok in the world.
I,d better shut up...
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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