LED deck/steming light

A steaming light is only required when motoring (if the vessel is less than 12 metres long). So, since the engine would be running, what is the point of having LED light in this case? Ordinary filament lamps are cheaper to replace when they die.
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
A steaming light is only required when motoring (if the vessel is less than 12 metres long). So, since the engine would be running, what is the point of having LED light in this case? Ordinary filament lamps are cheaper to replace when they die.
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I fitted one last year, a really good bit of kit. The deck light is far brighter than the halogen bulb it replaced.

The reason why an LED light is better is that it will last almost indefinitely. The contacts on bulbs always corrode enough to prevent the light from working. I became totally cheesed off with climbing the mast to wiggle the bulb(s), only for the same to happen a few days later.
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
A steaming light is only required when motoring (if the vessel is less than 12 metres long). So, since the engine would be running, what is the point of having LED light in this case? Ordinary filament lamps are cheaper to replace when they die.
Click to expand...

IMHO it's the opening and closing / replacing of bulbs / heating and cooling of the units that cause the problems as it encourages moisture in. LEDs run much much cooler so the housing will be subject to much reduced expansion and contraction helping to preserve the sealed unit itself

Therefore view the introduction of an LED light more as a factor in greater reliability rather than greater power efficiency.
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
A steaming light is only required when motoring (if the vessel is less than 12 metres long). So, since the engine would be running, what is the point of having LED light in this case? Ordinary filament lamps are cheaper to replace when they die.
Click to expand...

Cheaper to replace, but a complete PITA since its halfway up the mast.
 
Replacement LED "bulbs" still suffer from corrosion of the contacts - though that may be prevented by lubricating with a suitable waterproof grease. A dedicated LED based lamp should ideally be hard-wired throughout which will preclude corrosion of electrical contacts, but can make them almost impossible to repair. Both a compromise, but at least you have choice. Mind you, that's what they say about UK democracy but if they swapped ties you wouldn't notice any difference...

Rob
 
rob2 said:
Replacement LED "bulbs" still suffer from corrosion of the contacts - though that may be prevented by lubricating with a suitable waterproof grease. A dedicated LED based lamp should ideally be hard-wired throughout which will preclude corrosion of electrical contacts, but can make them almost impossible to repair. Both a compromise, but at least you have choice. Mind you, that's what they say about UK democracy but if they swapped ties you wouldn't notice any difference...

Rob
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But the lamp wire still has to be connected somewhere to the wiring in the mast. True that should be easier to make corrosion proof if it's decent tinned cable on both sides with decent heat seal over the joint but doing that up the mast is a hell of a lot bigger job than just changing a bulb!
 
jac said:
But the lamp wire still has to be connected somewhere to the wiring in the mast. True that should be easier to make corrosion proof if it's decent tinned cable on both sides with decent heat seal over the joint but doing that up the mast is a hell of a lot bigger job than just changing a bulb!
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But once it's done it's done. I don't expect to ever have to touch it again whereas I was wiggling bulb contacts several times per season. The old steaming light had a cover attached with two screws, additional hassle almost as time consuming as making a wire connection. The halogen bulb was completely exposed to the atmosphere, and also fell out a couple of times.
 
vyv_cox said:
But once it's done it's done. I don't expect to ever have to touch it again whereas I was wiggling bulb contacts several times per season. The old steaming light had a cover attached with two screws, additional hassle almost as time consuming as making a wire connection. The halogen bulb was completely exposed to the atmosphere, and also fell out a couple of times.
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+1. https://www.marinesuperstore.com/lighting/navigation-lights/led-combo-masthead-deck-light is the one I"m considering for my Nic 26.

I actually need a stepladder to reach the steaming lamp and the Halogen flood is a PITA as it's completely exposed and the connection never lasts a full season without needing attention.
 
The old pattern with the exposed two prong halogen bulb was always completely unfit for purpose.
The first time I saw one, I thought it was missing a cover. It rarely worked and is a masterpiece of shoddy design.
vyv_cox said:
But once it's done it's done. I don't expect to ever have to touch it again whereas I was wiggling bulb contacts several times per season. The old steaming light had a cover attached with two screws, additional hassle almost as time consuming as making a wire connection. The halogen bulb was completely exposed to the atmosphere, and also fell out a couple of times.
Click to expand...
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
A steaming light is only required when motoring (if the vessel is less than 12 metres long). So, since the engine would be running, what is the point of having LED light in this case? Ordinary filament lamps are cheaper to replace when they die.
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You are just old & sensible :)
I hate LEDs in yer face especially on push bikes & anchor lamps
 
Most of the deck/steaming lights I've seen are appallingly difficult to wire up satisfactorily and have exposed contacts. I too have been looking for an LED replacement.
 
sailorman said:
You are just old & sensible :)
I hate LEDs in yer face especially on push bikes & anchor lamps
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Don't you hate LEDs in cars too, if I remember correctly? DRLights?

It is the Audi indicators I find useless (among other indicators sited within brake light clusters) (all because of the robustness of LEDs). They can make them flash and trickle and jump through hoops that filament lamps would have hated.
 
Sailingsaves said:
Don't you hate LEDs in cars too, if I remember correctly? DRLights?

It is the Audi indicators I find useless (among other indicators sited within brake light clusters) (all because of the robustness of LEDs). They can make them flash and trickle and jump through hoops that filament lamps would have hated.
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I believe the law states 5W for side lights & there are hundreds of LEDS to make up 5W
 
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