jfkal
Active member
Agreed. Buy only approved stuff DIY is out on this one even though you might technically do the same. Its the rules that counts here and not the physics.
LED Nav lights
- Thread starter Idlerboat
- Start date
ean_p
Well-known member
I think that the main reason is that they are constucted from a cluster of individual led's (lets say for example200) and if that cluster is sufficient to provide the required luminosity to gain approval, what happens if and when a percentage fail,as they will....to the observer the light still functions but not to the requirements of the approvals spec'...hence what started as a light that was sufficent became one that was not though still appeares to be so...this is unlike ordinary filament lamps that either work right or don't work at all........i think that the control/monitoring system that will allow approval may make the lights a little too expensive for a lot of us......
Dipper
Well-known member
Although the Hella Naviled lights appear in their web site, they are not yet available in the UK. The last I heard was that they would be available early November but I suspect there must be a problem with the European approvals. I am sure no responsible manufacturer (including Hella) will market such lights unless they are approved.
I understand that prices are likely to be from about £25 up to £40 depending on the power (1nm or 2nm) and the housing.
I understand that prices are likely to be from about £25 up to £40 depending on the power (1nm or 2nm) and the housing.
jollyjacktar
New member
Solar Garden Lights
I got hold of several of solar powered garden lights [the type with override switches] and modified them to use them as an anchor light. They were cheaper than the component parts. Much better than my kero hurricane lamp and in addition, they automatically turned on at sunset. Was a bit worried that they would not last the whole of the darkness hours, problem solved by using several mounted in one above the other, so that when the light from the failing lantern faded, then the magic eye thinghy turned on the one next on. During the day they charge using the sunlight. Three in series has never failed to last the whole of darkness [as far as I have been able to check over about a year] but probably two are sufficient and mostly one is enough.
I have the type with an override switch and I use these also for cabin lighting. The switch overrides the magic eye thinghy and allows me to switch them off if necessary.
Only problem is that I have to put the lights outside in the daytime to gain maximum sunlight for recharging and as well they need some water protection in this location. I am thinking of adding some artificial flowers and a glasshouse, as my cockpit is becoming a bit un-nautical so I may as well add to the hole and garden appearance, perhaps a garden gnome or two, might help to scare away the seagulls as well. Maybe I shoud get a canal boat then it would be in keeping with the general decore.
Total current used for domestic lighting 0 [ZERO] amps. All up costs about 20 quid.
I got hold of several of solar powered garden lights [the type with override switches] and modified them to use them as an anchor light. They were cheaper than the component parts. Much better than my kero hurricane lamp and in addition, they automatically turned on at sunset. Was a bit worried that they would not last the whole of the darkness hours, problem solved by using several mounted in one above the other, so that when the light from the failing lantern faded, then the magic eye thinghy turned on the one next on. During the day they charge using the sunlight. Three in series has never failed to last the whole of darkness [as far as I have been able to check over about a year] but probably two are sufficient and mostly one is enough.
I have the type with an override switch and I use these also for cabin lighting. The switch overrides the magic eye thinghy and allows me to switch them off if necessary.
Only problem is that I have to put the lights outside in the daytime to gain maximum sunlight for recharging and as well they need some water protection in this location. I am thinking of adding some artificial flowers and a glasshouse, as my cockpit is becoming a bit un-nautical so I may as well add to the hole and garden appearance, perhaps a garden gnome or two, might help to scare away the seagulls as well. Maybe I shoud get a canal boat then it would be in keeping with the general decore.
Total current used for domestic lighting 0 [ZERO] amps. All up costs about 20 quid.
Idlerboat
New member
Re: Solar Garden Lights
Brilliant, superb, or in the Austarlian way grouse. This is exactly the type of "un marine" stuff that I love. Cheap sensible and it helps budjet cruisers get more sailing. Lets hear some more ideas !!
regards
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
Brilliant, superb, or in the Austarlian way grouse. This is exactly the type of "un marine" stuff that I love. Cheap sensible and it helps budjet cruisers get more sailing. Lets hear some more ideas !!
regards
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
Idlerboat
New member
Yep, but when flat bateries dont shine, then other boats dont see so good. As far as I understand it the lights have to meet the regs, and if they do that then your covered.
Idlerboat
New member
I hope not !! LEDs are now being made that put out 20000 micro candella per LED.
There cheap and three should be enough to meet standard light emiting requirements. Hella makes a comercial version that only has three LEDs, so if we paupers make them with six then in 10 000 hours time when one or two fail then I guess we just have to make another one !!
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
There cheap and three should be enough to meet standard light emiting requirements. Hella makes a comercial version that only has three LEDs, so if we paupers make them with six then in 10 000 hours time when one or two fail then I guess we just have to make another one !!
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
Idlerboat
New member
Hi your right . Australia is slowly converting all its trafic lights to LEDs. Cheaper saves a heap of power (think how many trafic lights there is) an no globes.Im in sunny Melb. Idler lives on the Gippsland Lakes.
regards
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
regards
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
Idlerboat
New member
Another ozie inervater! I agree with you single wick kero lamps may be legal but if I have trouble seeing it from 100 meteres away then LEDs win hands down. The biggest problem with nav lights is keeping the bloody things going all night. Unless you have solar pannels and sun or big bucks for wind generation, generators or just pain running the main engine all the time, then batteries become flateries.LEDs can also be run on a couple of 6 volt lantern bateries in an emergency.All makes for safer sailing as far as I can tell. If the choice is being run down because you have a legal but lesser light, then I would rather not be run down!!
regards
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
regards
marty_dean@yahoo
Idler
Plum
Well-known member
Re: Solar Garden Lights
great idea. What make/model are they and where can you buy them? Do you have an internet site that shows a picture, please?
Many thanks.
great idea. What make/model are they and where can you buy them? Do you have an internet site that shows a picture, please?
Many thanks.
brianrunyard
New member
Exactly, but I didn't think the LED lights met the regs.
Brian
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brunyard
Brian
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brunyard
jollyjacktar
New member
Re: Solar Garden Lights
Sorry, I do not presently reside in the UK. Available as garden night lights manufactured in China, generally supplied in garden shops or hardware retailers along with many other similar 12v [via transformer] garden accessories. Many different brands, all do the same thing, look for ones that give the most white light [you may have to change the LEDS yourself] and seem to be easiest to waterproof, and preferably with a switch to cut out the automatic night on function [although this is easy to fit yourself if you need it]
Sorry, I do not presently reside in the UK. Available as garden night lights manufactured in China, generally supplied in garden shops or hardware retailers along with many other similar 12v [via transformer] garden accessories. Many different brands, all do the same thing, look for ones that give the most white light [you may have to change the LEDS yourself] and seem to be easiest to waterproof, and preferably with a switch to cut out the automatic night on function [although this is easy to fit yourself if you need it]
G
Guest
Guest
Fortunately being in a small boat in Moreton Bay and usually anchored close inshore, being run down isn't a big problem. Anything going that fast in two feet of water will get into trouble before they hit me!! And they deserve it.
Cheers
D
Cheers
D
robp
Active member
Re: Solar Garden Lights
Makro Cash & Carry had them on offer last month.
Makro Cash & Carry had them on offer last month.
rbrooks
New member
I've just finished making myself LED nav lights, I used 4 "supa brights" in each one, that being 4 red ones and 4 green.
I turned the "domes' out of clear purspex, I did'nt polish them afterwards but left the turning marks on the inside and outside. this seem's to refract the light nicely as from a distance the whole dome seem's to glow.
I connected them in parellel on a 12v curcuit with a resistor on each positive leg.
I told the local electronic shop my plan, and they gave me the correct resistors to do the job, for 8 LED's and 8 resistors it cost me R18.00 +/-1.13 pound.
Hope this helps
Rog S.A
I turned the "domes' out of clear purspex, I did'nt polish them afterwards but left the turning marks on the inside and outside. this seem's to refract the light nicely as from a distance the whole dome seem's to glow.
I connected them in parellel on a 12v curcuit with a resistor on each positive leg.
I told the local electronic shop my plan, and they gave me the correct resistors to do the job, for 8 LED's and 8 resistors it cost me R18.00 +/-1.13 pound.
Hope this helps
Rog S.A
Idlerboat
New member
Thanks Rog,
mine are now up and on. They are so bright that you cant look directly at them close up. I have a white all round top with a red over green all round below on mast as allowed in Australian regs, with standard port/sboard and stern. They use so little power that it hardly makes the amps guage needle move. (unlike the old system that used 65 watts when sailing.
mine are now up and on. They are so bright that you cant look directly at them close up. I have a white all round top with a red over green all round below on mast as allowed in Australian regs, with standard port/sboard and stern. They use so little power that it hardly makes the amps guage needle move. (unlike the old system that used 65 watts when sailing.
Idlerboat
New member
Re: LED Nav lights and a bit more about being see!
I have allso put some squares of life jacket reflective tape on the pointy bit and the blunt bit and up the sticky up bit. Flash a torch at it and it lights up like a cruise ship!!
I have allso put some squares of life jacket reflective tape on the pointy bit and the blunt bit and up the sticky up bit. Flash a torch at it and it lights up like a cruise ship!!