LED Compass Light for Whitlock

[svrouser]

Hi all,

Have any of you found a low power LED replacement bulb for the standard compass light supplied with the Whitlock compass (circa 1995 on a Westerly)?

Many thanks,
Eric

 

[Adamastor]

I've found that a standard red LED works a treat, but you have to put a resistor inline, and I can't remember what the value should be.
A slight reshaping of the plastic head with fine sandpaper will also redirect the light out sideways, and a judicious application of enamel paint will ensure that the light doesn't leak out at the end..

 

[sailorman]

I've found that a standard red LED works a treat, but you have to put a resistor inline, and I can't remember what the value should be.
A slight reshaping of the plastic head with fine sandpaper will also redirect the light out sideways, and a judicious application of enamel paint will ensure that the light doesn't leak out at the end..

Maplins have them in various colours @ 12v , resistor already fitted & only cost a few pence

 

[Skylark]

I have a pair of Plastimo steering compasses and they came as new fitted with LED backlighting. Both failed within a year by poor protection from water ingress, imho. I bought a pack of 5 3mm, 12v LEDs from e-bay for pennies. White is too bright so I've now changed them for red and the result is good.

 

[BabaYaga]

I have a Ritchie compass with LED lighting. The light is very, very faint, which is a good thing for use at night.
12 v LEDs with resistor built-in, the type you would use as an indicator light on a switch panel, are much brighter in my experience. Too bright as a compass light, I think.
I would try and get hold of a spare part from a compass manufacturer. Ritche offers these:
https://www.ritchienavigation.com/research-compasses/accessories-parts/lighting/

 

[sailorman]

I have a Ritchie compass with LED lighting. The light is very, very faint, which is a good thing for use at night.
12 v LEDs with resistor built-in, the type you would use as an indicator light on a switch panel, are much brighter in my experience. Too bright as a compass light, I think.
I would try and get hold of a spare part from a compass manufacturer. Ritche offers these:
https://www.ritchienavigation.com/research-compasses/accessories-parts/lighting/

I modified my Ritchie holder as it had incandescent bulbs the cost was a few pennies

 

[rogerthebodger]

I've found that a standard red LED works a treat, but you have to put a resistor inline, and I can't remember what the value should be.

If its a 5mm LED some where between 500 ohm and 1 Kohm depending on haw bright you want the light.

 

[prv]

A gotcha that bit me - some compasses have red night markings designed to be illuminated by a white light. Shine a red LED on the card with night-vision in mind, and the red markings are barely visible. With this type of compass card you need dim white.

Pete

 

[William_H]

The trap is that an LED will emit light in just one driection ina focussed beam about 40 degrees wide. (it can vary). The original incandescant light emits light in almost all directions. The original light then can just flood the inside of the case with light. The LED will have to beplaced to shine onto the card. So much depends on the location of the light. I second the idea of roughing up the end of the LED to scatter the light more but still it will shine in one direction. good luck olewill