Led navigation lights on an older Bavaria.

[Laysula]

We have a Bavaria 350 with warning lights for the navigation lights on a panel. When the lights are lit the warning lights stay on constantly, and when one fails they flash.
I have just fitted Leds and now the warning lights constantly flash whilst the lights are on. I think that this is something to do with current draw. Is there an easy fix for this or do I just put up with it?

 

[rosssavage]

Yes - you need to install a resistor of some value either in series or in parallel with the LEDs.

Ok, not massively helpful I know, but it's a common problem on CANBUS cars when the owners swap incandescent with LEDs.

The panel is expecting to see a certain resistance when a good bulb is lit - it's not seeing this with the LED, so assumes a failed bulb.

I'm guessing the panel is seeing too high a resistance, so I think you will need a resistor in parallel to reduce the resistance the panel 'sees'.

Probably worth a google on the car forums?

 

[jwilson]

The snag with resistor in parallel would seem to be that it too will be drawing current, at least partially negating the power saving of the LED bulb. I'd be interested to know just what current these "CANBUS" LEDS take compared to a straight LED and the incandescent they replace.

 

[rogerthebodger]

We have a Bavaria 350 with warning lights for the navigation lights on a panel. When the lights are lit the warning lights stay on constantly, and when one fails they flash.
I have just fitted Leds and now the warning lights constantly flash whilst the lights are on. I think that this is something to do with current draw. Is there an easy fix for this or do I just put up with it?

The warning light circuit measures the current draw of the nav light bulb to determine it it is working or not. The current draw of the led's is below the threshold of the circuit so showing a fault condition.

You need the circuit diagram of the fault detection circuit so a modification can be made.

One of the simplest circuits is to wrap the current carrying wire around a read switch. To modify this type to work you just need to wrap more turns around the read switch

 

[nigelmercier]

The snag with resistor in parallel would seem to be that it too will be drawing current, at least partially negating the power saving of the LED bulb...

Indeed. Ideally the fix is to modify the panel, try contacting the panel manufacturer.

 

[bedouin]

Yes - you need to install a resistor of some value either in series or in parallel with the LEDs.

Ok, not massively helpful I know, but it's a common problem on CANBUS cars when the owners swap incandescent with LEDs.

Two problems with that - firstly by adding the resistor you would increase the current to what the original bulb would have drawn anyway and secondly with the resistor there it would not be able to detect bulb failure as the resistor would continue to draw current.

LED bulbs are much less likely to fail than incandescent and the sealed units are much less prone to water ingress. If it were my boat I would just disable the circuit that "monitors" the bulbs.

 

[Leonidas]

I've been wondering about the merit of replacing incandescent bulbs navigation lights for led. I appreciate all the business abt low consumption, which is a definite advantage for cabin illumination, but for navigation ??? How often do you sail in hours of darkness and how much of this is under sail? If motoring for example , the power saving ( 10 Amps???) is not all that important as it is more than recovered by the alternator's make up. Choice of led type ( cold or warm) except for the stren ,steaming or anchor light, may not be compatible with the lenses and may affect the visibility range. Are you thinking of replacing the entire unit? Personally, I would be grateful to have some form of warning that any of the nav lights is out. The facility as you indicate is already there, so why fiddle with it?

 

[bedouin]

I've been wondering about the merit of replacing incandescent bulbs navigation lights for led. I appreciate all the business abt low consumption, which is a definite advantage for cabin illumination, but for navigation ??? How often do you sail in hours of darkness and how much of this is under sail? If motoring for example , the power saving ( 10 Amps???) is not all that important as it is more than recovered by the alternator's make up. Choice of led type ( cold or warm) except for the stren ,steaming or anchor light, may not be compatible with the lenses and may affect the visibility range. Are you thinking of replacing the entire unit? Personally, I would be grateful to have some form of warning that any of the nav lights is out. The facility as you indicate is already there, so why fiddle with it?

I am looking to replace on my (wet) sailing boat. For me the major benefit is that because the LEDs are not replaceable the LED unit is entirely sealed so there is no possibility of water getting in - which is a problem with my current units.

Also I think that modern LEDs are more visible than the old incandescents.

These days for me battery usage is not a major concern - as I rarely sail for more than one night without being able to plug into shore power.

On my boat also there is no need for indicators to know that the bulb is out - there is enough light reflected off the boat, spray etc for it to be obvious (at night) if the blub is out.

 

[Laysula]

Thank you. It looks like I'll leave it as it is then.