LEDs again

E

emnick

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 Sep 2003
Messages
721
Location
Essex
Visit site
In Januar 08 I replaced my anchor light with a LED type. I used it for perhaps 20 hours.

Last Friday SWMBO hoisted me up the mast to take a look at it because it was not working. I took the Tricolour lid off and cleaned up the connections of the LED bulb (some corrosion on lead terminals). There were some condensation drops on the lens, which I also cleaned. The LED anchor sits above the Tricolour.

Thought that the bulb wold work once all cleaned up but it didnt, I replaced it with the old type and then tested the LED on a battery. It was defective.

I was contemplating replacing other (not Nav) bulbs so I thought I would chance my luck and ask for a replacemnt as it had only lasted for 20 (+-) hours. I explained that there was some condensation in the fitting (not soaking) as I think honesty is best in situations like this. I received an email back explaining that it was out of warranty - and subjected to damp!
I asked for future reference should they not get damp? I received a reply that 'any electrical product will not work if it gets damp'

I replied that I disagreed with that statement as one would assume a marine enviornment to be damp. Received a reply that it is still out of date. That was the end of it.

So if you are contemplating changing normal bulbs for electronic LEDs that cant be used in a damp enviornment think again!! I certainly wont be changing any more.

Am I being unreasonable thinking that it was poor customer service here?, afterall it was only £15ish
 
If he is selling it for marine use then it should be fit for purpose which includes damp conditions. The article may not work under heavy condensation, but it should recover. Also if he is selling it in a marine environment then it should de fit for working in a saltly environment - ask for your money back under "not for purpose" or take him to a small claims court.
 
LEDs

In fairness it is out of warranty due to time expired, however I think not fit for purpose would not recommend them!
Thanks
 
I use one of these hoisted below the anchor ball. It's done many nights in the rain with no problems at all. All the connections are moulded into the plastic housing so there's nothing to get wet. Usaully the brightest light in the anchorage when rowing back to the boat too.
 
Duen to their makeup, I wouldnt use LED's outside, unless specifically designed for outdoor use. Like the waterproof underwater ones. Saying that, all my interior lights are now LED and I did get some sealed in epoxy single LED's from china and they are fine outside and wet, (not underwater)
 
Design flaw then. I have lots of cheap garden solar LED lights that have lasted at least five years stuck down the garden in rain, shine and snow and mud, never maintained at all:D . They all still work, though some of the casings have UV damage. I'd tend to agree that whilst LED is the way to go, the technology is not quite there yet in regard to weatherproofing them on a boat.

The Nav lights on the Menai Bridge are LED, and boy are they bright. You can see them even in bright sunlight.

Tim
 
I replaced all of the lights with LED Bulbs on the yacht I skippered in the USA and they were excellent although $200 Its not cheap but quality was excellent, fitting them no dream but thats the same on any boat almost. the insulation of the wires is king

As to weatherproofing - they took 12 months of hell from Hot Sunlight to Freezing force 9 winds and swell off of New York while on passage to Florida. They are still going strong, but where the orginals failed was down to the installation and quality of the casing.

On another boat I worked on they simply had a single but very bright LED bulb on a flat panel open to the elements, They worked very well but the light they gave off was not natural and I hated LEDS from then on. I forget the company name for the ones we had fitted to the 57ft I skippered but they were perfect.
 
Jamesuk said:
and quality of the casing.
Click to expand...

We bought some for $50 per casing (without bulb) from a company called West Marine and the actual plastic failed which left LED's not working due to corrosion. And as most will know salt water managed to find its way into the wires that then corroded them. No longer a simple job.

A quick Google search for LED's Dammit they are expensive here in the UK, Out in the US the prices you see here had the $ mark in front of them.
 
Another vote for

aljo%20(6).jpg


Works just fine in pouring rain. Your LED didn't come from Ultra LED's did it because my bulb never worked.
 
emnick said:
In Januar 08 I replaced my anchor light with a LED type. I used it for perhaps 20 hours.

Last Friday SWMBO hoisted me up the mast to take a look at it because it was not working. I took the Tricolour lid off and cleaned up the connections of the LED bulb (some corrosion on lead terminals). There were some condensation drops on the lens, which I also cleaned. The LED anchor sits above the Tricolour.

Thought that the bulb wold work once all cleaned up but it didnt, I replaced it with the old type and then tested the LED on a battery. It was defective.

I was contemplating replacing other (not Nav) bulbs so I thought I would chance my luck and ask for a replacemnt as it had only lasted for 20 (+-) hours. I explained that there was some condensation in the fitting (not soaking) as I think honesty is best in situations like this. I received an email back explaining that it was out of warranty - and subjected to damp!
I asked for future reference should they not get damp? I received a reply that 'any electrical product will not work if it gets damp'

I replied that I disagreed with that statement as one would assume a marine enviornment to be damp. Received a reply that it is still out of date. That was the end of it.

So if you are contemplating changing normal bulbs for electronic LEDs that cant be used in a damp enviornment think again!! I certainly wont be changing any more.

Am I being unreasonable thinking that it was poor customer service here?, afterall it was only £15ish
Click to expand...
I bought 6 G4s off Aten Lighting last year for the saloon, warm white, perfect but not cheap, still going strong.
See here http://atenlighting.co.uk/product.php?productid=16140&cat=106&page=1
Stu
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
Amiable demands for money!
Replies
15
Views
858
penberth3
P

Share this page

Top