Interior lighting

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smithy

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I am replacing the ply backed vinyl headlinings. I want to fit led lights but am undecided whether to go for downlights or led strip. Doesn't seem to be many photos on the web, looking for ideas. I know there lots of you have already done this, can you put some photos of your handy work on?
If I use downlights what power should I be looking for?
 
I think the LED strip is great. Perhaps not looking really decorative but very practical and good light for not much money.
The advantage being that it will stick on the lining and take away no headroom. The down lights be they LED or halogen will take up space behind the lining about 50mm needed and of course a hole in the lining. The strips can be removed if you change your mind with o damage to lining. good luck olewill
 
smithy,

I fitted small red lights around the cabin floor / sole level, with a switch easily accessed from the cockpit; this makes night sailing easier, without waking up the off watch crew.

A chart light, either a flexible stalk job hopefully with a red filter for night vision ( beware warning things marked in RED will be invisible ! ) to avoid waking the crew is an idea, or one can get a magnifying glass with a built-in light.

Night sailing is a quite magical experience, in the right weather !
 
LED strip lights installed over the galley on Cecilia. An excellent light source and not so Christmassy as they look in the photo.

P1020752_zps94675f8e.jpg
 
I used aftermarket fog lamps/driving lamps for cars. I got two for £8 in the local "cheap shop". I mounted them on swivels so I can direct the light anywhere its required. I also modified a rolson multi-led battery powered light to run on 12V and made it much lower profile to fit into the headlining flush. The lighting down below is just awesome, and my favourite:- mega cheap!
 
LED_strip.jpg

Warm white strip lighting works for me - I put a strip along behind the woodwork so you're not looking directly at the leds, and it's easily bright enough to read by all evening. Hardly any noticeable drain on the battery either...
 
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Thanks for replies, sounds like I'm best to try the LED strip with double sided tape first as its the cheap option. Good to see some photos, any more out there? I'm sure others would be interested.
 
Phoenix of Hamble said:
That looks really nice!
Click to expand...

Thank You! It actually worked out better than I had hoped; I've got another strip on the other side over the galley but no pictures... I bought a 5m strip for about £12 off ebay, and used around 1.5 - 2.0m on each side.

I also used a red strip and some aluminium angle for a chart table light, it gives a good even light and is about 45cm long...

LED_strip_red.jpg
 
I also have 5m of the 3528 LED strips in the boat. I chopped it into three pieces and have two in the saloon, on either side, much like the picture that was linked. If you can put them out of line of sight, they make a lovely not-in-your-face light.
I also have a strip in the corridor leading to our aft cabin. Works a treat.

The strip I bought has the waterproof rubbery coating on it as well as the 3M self sticky on the back. All for around £9 for the 5m at the time. The prices seem to fluctuate daily on eBay.

I've ended up buying a second 5m reel to attach to our bimini for some cockpit lighting.
 
Do these need a regulator or can you attach them via a fuse to the 12v boat circuit..? How easy is it to wire the cut strips..? I would guess they draw far less current than a fluorescent 8w tube.
I need to replace a tube fitting that has stopped working, and when visiting a chandeliers yesterday l met a customer who looked at my old fitting and said remove the old electronics and then replace the tube with a strip of led' led's and use the original housing and switch. I will try this as the original light fitting is difficult to replace with one of a similar size, most of the strip lights available are wider and will not fit.
 
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