LED Replacements for Masthead Lights

[st599]

I'm looking at replacing a set of masthead lights (Tricolour and Anchor) using LED on a 13m sailing yacht.

Does anyone have any recommendations for either:

• LED Bulbs suitable for Tricolour lights (I think it's BD-15)
• an LED Unit that can replace the current incandescent Tricolour/Anchor unit?

 

[Stooriefit]

I installed Hella Marine LED units on my boat 8 years ago. They have been excellent - maintenance free; thoroughly reliable and the anchor light in the masthead unit even switches itself off when it is day breaks. Would thoroughly recommend them even if they are a bit more expensive

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I'm looking at replacing a set of masthead lights (Tricolour and Anchor) using LED on a 13m sailing yacht.

Does anyone have any recommendations for either:

• LED Bulbs suitable for Tricolour lights (I think it's BD-15)
• an LED Unit that can replace the current incandescent Tricolour/Anchor unit?

NASA marine do one that replaces anchor and Tricolour lights - e.g. NASA Marine Supernova Mastlight Combi Tri and Anchor L.E.D.

 

[st599]

NASA marine do one that replaces anchor and Tricolour lights - e.g. NASA Marine Supernova Mastlight Combi Tri and Anchor L.E.D.

I did look at that unit, but it isn't ColRegs compliant for a 13m yacht.

 

[Rhylsailer99]

i have an aqua signal 34 led sat on a shelf next to me . im hoping to install it in a week or 2 . looks top quality and suitable for upto 20m.

 

[[70521]]

All the information you need is here Boatlamps - Marine LED bulbs and replacement lamps for all boats

Their service is outstanding.

 

[dunedin]

We fitted the AquaSignal Series 34 type - Aqua Signal - Series 34 LED Masthead/Anchor Light (Black Housing)

Not cheap. Hope lasts longer than the Series 32 deck level LED lights - had to replace bow ones after 6 & 7 years, and stern at 10. And cant just replace bulb, so both expensive and tricky job to rethread wires through pulpit and push pit.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I did look at that unit, but it isn't ColRegs compliant for a 13m yacht.

Source please.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I did look at that unit, but it isn't ColRegs compliant for a 13m yacht.

It say's this in the Boatlamps link:
"For boats up to 20m add a 3nm deck/steaming light such as the Aquasignal Series 41".
Evidently the Colregs say that it is illegal to use a tricolour light when motoing at night, and that deck level lights are required, in order to be compliant:
https://pzsc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/colregs_lightsshapes-lesson.pdf
Which is a surprise to me, as my (10m.) boat, 'Spirit', came equipped with only a masthead tricolour light, and it had previously belonged to Glenans Sailing School

 

[Dukester52]

Source please.

Rule 22(b), colregs. Also says intended for up to 12m in the advert. Visibility should be >3nm for boats over 12m and less than 20m.

 

[Dukester52]

It say's this in the Boatlamps link:
"For boats up to 20m add a 3nm deck/steaming light such as the Aquasignal Series 41".
Evidently the Colregs say that it is illegal to use a tricolour light when motoing at night, and that deck level lights are required, in order to be compliant:
https://pzsc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/colregs_lightsshapes-lesson.pdf
Which is a surprise to me, as my (10m.) boat, 'Spirit', came equipped with only a masthead tricolour light, and it had previously belonged to Glenans Sailing School

It's illegal to use a tricolour light when motoring at all... I think... you are no longer a sailing vessel?

 

[Graham_Wright]

Rule 22(b), colregs. Also says intended for up to 12m in the advert. Visibility should be >3nm for boats over 12m and less than 20m.

My side lights are (allegedly) compliant but the Nasa Tri is way brighter than them.

 

[sfellows]

All the information you need is here Boatlamps - Marine LED bulbs and replacement lamps for all boats

Their service is outstanding.

Agreed. If you can just replace the bulbs (not the light fitting) this is the way to go. This is what we did with our Tri-colour/Anchor light (it's an Aquasignal Tri-colour/anchor/strobe). Boatlamps will advise. Much cheaper than replacing the fitting(s).

 

[Northern Star]

For anyone like me just on the upper non tidal Thames I got some off e-bay that are sealed in clear silicone with offset pins but also seem the same brightness at distance as the filament ones they replaced.

One note is that I had to leave one filament bulb on the circuit I have as the anchor light is automatically turned off by the navigation lights so I left the rear light as the filament one and the LED white centre and red/green are obviously seen from the front.

The white match the filament ones on my 1986 boat but the cool white is better as the anchor light as it seems to match the moonlight better but I personally have never used it. ;0
)

 

[pandos]

For anyone like me just on the upper non tidal Thames I got some off e-bay that are sealed in clear silicone with offset pins but also seem the same brightness at distance as the filament ones they replaced.

One note is that I had to leave one filament bulb on the circuit I have as the anchor light is automatically turned off by the navigation lights so I left the rear light as the filament one and the LED white centre and red/green are obviously seen from the front.

The white match the filament ones on my 1986 boat but the cool white is better as the anchor light as it seems to match the moonlight better but I personally have never used it. ;0)

CLASSIC LED 20 All-Round & Tri-colour Light 12/24V

I fitted one of these a few years ago which came with those silicone covered led bulbs.

It works fine, and when checked last year was immaculate inside after a few years up in the air...

I also bought lamps from boat lamps got the deck level lights which seem to work fine but are open and not as robust looking. They are very visible from a long ways off even at twilight coming into harbour.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I did look at that unit, but it isn't ColRegs compliant for a 13m yacht.

Whats is more the two wire switching system means a complete rewire of switchboard. Very good but unless you want a pair of polarity changers its a No.

Works well and visible so complies with the spirit of colregs though

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Ps thinking of getting the lazillas combined unit as present one full of corrosion and crud

 

[Graham_Wright]

Whats is more the two wire switching system means a complete rewire of switchboard. Very good but unless you want a pair of polarity changers its a No.

Works well and visible so complies with the spirit of colregs though

Er - well one switch (which is supplied!).

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Er - well one switch (which is supplied!).

Standard panel as fitted to most boats and indeed the last 4 of mine, has rows of simple 2 position single ploe switches usually down for on. Swapping one of these for a centre of fswitch (up for anchor, down for tri) would be really poor ergonomic practice. Converting the existing separate anchor and tri switches to double pole changeover Is a complete pain

 

[Graham_Wright]

Standard panel as fitted to most boats and indeed the last 4 of mine, has rows of simple 2 position single ploe switches usually down for on. Swapping one of these for a centre of fswitch (up for anchor, down for tri) would be really poor ergonomic practice. Converting the existing separate anchor and tri switches to double pole changeover Is a complete pain

I am fortunate in having standard toggle switches self installed which are simple to swap. However, my light control switches (with others) are at the helm and they also are standard toggle switches.