Life ring lights

[Twister_Ken]

You know the sort of thing - usually parked upside down with the horseshoe buoy. Chuck it in, it bobs up and starts shining.

Has anyone found a model which actually works after being stored on the push pit rail for a few months?

(spoken as the owner of two buggered life ring lights)

 

[ParaHandy]

Rather than chucking the Fray Bentos tins after consumption affix a candle to the base ... I believe this works in some far flung places where it also serves to attract fish. A box of Swan Vestas would complete the package which could then be flung at the poor unfortunate in the style of a frisbee which would travel further and correct a serious design fault in the device you describe ...

 

[Robin]

We have a strobe model on one lifebuoy that was expensive but has worked without fail for ten years, during which time I have replaced the one on our second lifebuoy many times.

I'm pretty sure this is the one we have, pricey at £39.95 though http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/Life-Buoys-and-Life-Saving/Jotron-Tron-5F-SOLAS-Lifebuoy-Light.htm?P4196-S21-

I tried everything with the cheapo ones to waterproof them but nothing worked, 2 years was a long life.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Strobe Lights Reliable

We have a strobe model on one lifebuoy that was expensive but has worked without fail for ten years........

I can confirm that this was what I found on a sail training yacht, late 80s. Always worked when tested and reliable over the 4 years I was associated with the vessel.

Also very visible compared to the standard incandescent bulb (which is also surprisingly visible).

 

[Gordonmc]

No is the answer to the question.
I dismantled the first one I had fail and found the mercury switch very well encapsulated... but the weak point was the bulb holder which invariably sits in the puddle of water in the lens cup.
The lifebelts and lifejackets are now equipped with small strobes bought for a couple of quid from a boat jumble

 

[Ruffles]

I keep the life rings and lights down below when not aboard. It is a PITA but they've lasted 10 years. They don't leak when exposed to rain either. I wonder if UV is degrading the O' ring seal through the clear plastic?

I also remove the batteries which is even more of a PITA.

[Should just add that ours are the Jotron units - one xenon and one incandescent. The importers were kind enough to send me a new cover when I dropped one in the briney so big thumbs up. Also, it seems to me that over-tightening can cause the thread to distort and reduces rather than improves the seal.]

 

[DJE]

I keep the life rings and lights down below when not aboard.

Same here, at least it means they get tested every time we get on the boat so we know when they're packing up. The cheap and nasty one that came with the boat worked for years operated by the weight of the batteries compressing a spring. The new one with a mercury switch is showing some reluctance to work after three years and it has the annoying habit of flashing whenever the boat falls off a wave at night.

 

[robp]

No is the answer to the question.
I dismantled the first one I had fail and found the mercury switch very well encapsulated... but the weak point was the bulb holder which invariably sits in the puddle of water in the lens cup.
The lifebelts and lifejackets are now equipped with small strobes bought for a couple of quid from a boat jumble

If the Mercury switches last, I wonder that hard wired LED's have not been used yet?

 

[snowleopard]

Vaseline or silicone grease on the O rings extends the life of most types of light.

 

[stuartwineberg]

I'm with this suggestion. Apart from protecting stuff from UV and water its things like lifebuoys, lifeslings etc that "walk" even in a marina.

 

[Goldie]

Lalizas and Plastimo models have failed (or filled!) fairly quickly but the current Jotun model is now about 5 years old and still working fine with just an annual battery change -famous last words......

 

[Robin]

Vaseline or silicone grease on the O rings extends the life of most types of light.

Yes, from 3 months to 6 months! I tried vaseline, I tried PTFE tape and the cheapos still filled up with water. Plus I never leave them out when we are not on board yet they still get the glass full of water, condensation maybe? Actually the one we have left on #2 buoy is dry this season, still doesnt work now though.

I also took one Plastimo lifebuoy back because after 1 season and stowed in a locker when we leave the boat, the loops holding the grab rope fell apart as I lifted it out to put it in it's holder. I got a free replacement of a different make from the chandler but Plastimo didn't give a hoot, they didn't even comment when the chandler returned it.

 

[Blue5]

No is the answer to the question.
I dismantled the first one I had fail and found the mercury switch very well encapsulated... but the weak point was the bulb holder which invariably sits in the puddle of water in the lens cup.
The lifebelts and lifejackets are now equipped with small strobes bought for a couple of quid from a boat jumble

Snap!! inspected ours last weekend and found the bulb holder cap full of water, needless to say didnt work so thats next weekends job.

Why is it the water manages to find its way in easily but when you turn it up the water seems sealed in!!!

 

[boatmike]

No! But I haven't found one brighter than a Toc-H candle either. I don't think you would ever see these damn things in any seaway and in any case the MoB should have a light on his jacket. Probably equally useless but possibly more reliable?

 

[johnalison]

My cheapish strobe light has lived outside for ten years. It has had some water in, but as long as I bung lots of grease on it's usually OK. I can't say I test it every time I go out, but from time to time.

I believe the strobe type is less effective than the filament type, though have not tested mine at sea, but certainly the strobe-type cycle rear lights don't show up at all well on the road, though are a lot better than the non-existent lights of most of our yoofs.

 

[stephenh]

waterproof light

Bought one of these :

http://www.piplers.co.uk/3654/Nuova-Rade-Stella-LED-FLASHING-LIFEBUOY-LIGHT.html

from fleabay £20 inc p &p.

Had it hanging outside for 12 weeks on a transat with lots of sunshine, it's still in very good nick. No sign of the usual UV decay to the plastic.
Used the vaseline technique as well.

I recommend them.

stephenh

 

[BruceDanforth]

Agreed. I also have a small xenon strobe on my lifejacket purchased in America. I understand they aren't approved over here but I bought it for an ocean trip where coastguard rescue was unlikely.

 

[Dyflin]

I have the Jotron xenon bulb model, very happy with it and long may it last. The xenon bulb is particularly impressive.

 

[ParaHandy]

Buggery ...

... spoken as the owner of two buggered life ring lights ..

Appears, Ken, the solution is a jar of vaseline ... more comfortable when conducting such practices?!

 

[Chris_Robb]

Same here, at least it means they get tested every time we get on the boat so we know when they're packing up. The cheap and nasty one that came with the boat worked for years operated by the weight of the batteries compressing a spring. The new one with a mercury switch is showing some reluctance to work after three years and it has the annoying habit of flashing whenever the boat falls off a wave at night.

I have the good old cheapose, I think they are probably 10 years old now. They work fine, and I know they work, because everytime an awkward wave comes along there is a little flash of light as the batteries ascend to make contact. Nice and simple!