Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
I've just replaced some light bulbs in my house with the 'low energy' jobbies. Does anyone know if there is such a thing for standard 12v bayonet fittings on the boat?
Low wattage bulbs
- Thread starter Slow_boat
- Start date
William_H
Well-Known Member
Well some time back I saw some 11W CFL lamps for use on 12v (they have an inverter built in) The lamp is a bit bulky for a boat cabin I would think. Anyway as this was in an Oz hardware store I can't be specific. olewill
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
I wend to a demo about 6 months ago of a German company who mainly produce solar regulators and started to produce 12VDC low energy lights for rural areas in the 3 rd world. Can't remember name now
Also a local company (South Africa) did advertise low energy 12 VDC lights but that company closed down (owner retired) so they must be available
Also a local company (South Africa) did advertise low energy 12 VDC lights but that company closed down (owner retired) so they must be available
maxi
Well-Known Member
LED's. Give approx 90% of the light output for about 10% of the power consumption. Getting better all the time.
Make sure that you buy lights than cope with the charging voltage - say <15v.
Make sure that you buy lights than cope with the charging voltage - say <15v.
brianrunyard
Well-Known Member
LED's, have a look Here
Click on any light to expand.
Click on any light to expand.
Gwylan
Well-Known Member
http://www.led1.de/shop/product_info.php...hip-white-p-645
Have a selection, with protective diode for auto & boat circuits.
Have a selection, with protective diode for auto & boat circuits.
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
I just bought 8 flush fitting LED units from maplin. They run at 56mA each (as measured by me) the included supply pushes out 12.9v so should be fine on board. Units can be daisy-chained or wired separately.
They were hanging by the till, 39.99 for four, but at the till she told me they have fallen to 29.99 as end of line stock, so I bought another pack. That £7.50 per unit.
No connection, just thought this was a bit of a bargain myself.
They were hanging by the till, 39.99 for four, but at the till she told me they have fallen to 29.99 as end of line stock, so I bought another pack. That £7.50 per unit.
No connection, just thought this was a bit of a bargain myself.
JimC
Well-Known Member
Most forumites have recommended LEDs which are more efficient than filament bulbs in converting electricity to light. Be aware that fluorescent tubes are even more efficient than LEDs. Your low-energy house bulbs are basically fluorescent tubes. There are plenty of interior lamps for boats that use fluorescent tubes (the 2D types are most efficient of all) but no nav lights that I'm aware of.
Seven Spades
Well-Known Member
Yes Osram have a new product available soon, I can check on the status tomorrow. The specifications are 12V 11W compact fluorescent lamps in both BC & ES. They are of the triple turn stick variety. there is also a dimming version which has a two stage dimmer so the lamp will run at either 6w or 11w, but the chances are is will be very pricey.
If you call me tomorrow on 020 8391 7474 I should have an answer for you, my company is called CP Lighting.
Paul.
If you call me tomorrow on 020 8391 7474 I should have an answer for you, my company is called CP Lighting.
Paul.
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Most forumites have recommended LEDs which are more efficient than filament bulbs in converting electricity to light. Be aware that fluorescent tubes are even more efficient than LEDs. Your low-energy house bulbs are basically fluorescent tubes. There are plenty of interior lamps for boats that use fluorescent tubes (the 2D types are most efficient of all) but no nav lights that I'm aware of.
[/ QUOTE ]
it is all relative, I have a 2D in the centre of the saloon which is the equivalent of a 60W 240V bulb, it lights the saloon quite happily. But at 21W it is hardly boat efficient,
Ivy Watts suggests a consumption of 1.75A. A few winters nights will soon have the batteries begging for mercy. I intend to install the LED lamps alongside the main light, with a multi switch, I may put a mini switch on each as my ceiling is low enough, if I have 5 in the saloon which is my intention, they will draw 280mA. I do not expect the light to be as useful as the 2D, but you can see the energy is remarkably different. A single unit turned on to give background light, will draw 56mA.
I have never actually measured the running current of the 2D, so whether the 21W refers to start up or running I am not sure.
I do believe, after I have installed the LED lamps, I will no longer have to sit in the dark to save power. I will report back if there is interest.
p.s. get to maplins before they have all gone..
Most forumites have recommended LEDs which are more efficient than filament bulbs in converting electricity to light. Be aware that fluorescent tubes are even more efficient than LEDs. Your low-energy house bulbs are basically fluorescent tubes. There are plenty of interior lamps for boats that use fluorescent tubes (the 2D types are most efficient of all) but no nav lights that I'm aware of.
[/ QUOTE ]
it is all relative, I have a 2D in the centre of the saloon which is the equivalent of a 60W 240V bulb, it lights the saloon quite happily. But at 21W it is hardly boat efficient,
Ivy Watts suggests a consumption of 1.75A. A few winters nights will soon have the batteries begging for mercy. I intend to install the LED lamps alongside the main light, with a multi switch, I may put a mini switch on each as my ceiling is low enough, if I have 5 in the saloon which is my intention, they will draw 280mA. I do not expect the light to be as useful as the 2D, but you can see the energy is remarkably different. A single unit turned on to give background light, will draw 56mA.
I have never actually measured the running current of the 2D, so whether the 21W refers to start up or running I am not sure.
I do believe, after I have installed the LED lamps, I will no longer have to sit in the dark to save power. I will report back if there is interest.
p.s. get to maplins before they have all gone..
roly_voya
Well-Known Member
I looked at CFL both 12v and 230v and the conclusion I came to was first that it was more eficient to run them from the inverter as a 230v sytem rather than going for the 12v ones, they are difficult to get, expensive and usemore power and second that they where to big phisically and in light output unless you have very large spaces to light. A single 11watt light might light up the cabin but you will always be standing in front of it, its much better to have small units over each work area that can be turned on/off as needed than one big light. I went for a couple of big LED's for general light which can be swithced to red plus spots where needed - total of about 5 watts even if they are all on.
Remenber the most electrically efficient lamp is still the oil lamp - 0 amps, 100% reliability, nice cosy light
Remenber the most electrically efficient lamp is still the oil lamp - 0 amps, 100% reliability, nice cosy light
A
Anonymous
Guest
Like rola_voya we have an 11W mains fluorescent that we run from the inverter when not on shore power. It is more efficient and a better light than LEDs and the efficiency of the inverter is high. I might fit some more as this one has worked out very well this year.