Remote controlled deck light?

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Dull Spark

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Any ideas for a remote control to activate a deck light to help return to a boat on a mooring or at anchor?

A range of about half a mile would be ideal. Failing that, I thought a cheap mobile phone left on board as part of the circuit might be OK. Problem is: what is the circuit?

What gave others done?
 
Dull Spark said:
Any ideas for a remote control to activate a deck light to help return to a boat on a mooring or at anchor?

A range of about half a mile would be ideal. Failing that, I thought a cheap mobile phone left on board as part of the circuit might be OK. Problem is: what is the circuit?

What gave others done?
Click to expand...

leave a cabin light on & a small torch, so you know which is your boat
A paraffin lamp in the foretriangle will denote your yacht as you may be the only yacht with one :p
 
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+1, we have one fitted to work parallel to the deck light switch, works from about 100m away but perfect for getting on and off
 
Many thanks for your responses. I should have said that I need to return to a swinging mooring after a few weeks absence, so can't just leave the lights on.

The idea of a relay with a 100 metre range looks great. It will take a leap of faith to set off in the dark, but I'm sure it will work. Less complicated than a mobile phone with wires attached!
 
Don't forget that the receiver will draw current while you're away.
Easily fixed with a solar panel, but in that case you could possibly manage a deck light?

Some sort of remote light is not a bad idea, I can remember some comedy late night trips on the water taxi where people have been unable to find their AWB among all the others in the dark.
 
Why not just log the location into your 'phone gps function whilst on board, then ask it to take you back to the location when you return. I know GPS isn't perfect but it will get you close
 
lw395 said:
Don't forget that the receiver will draw current while you're away.
Easily fixed with a solar panel, but in that case you could possibly manage a deck light?

Some sort of remote light is not a bad idea, I can remember some comedy late night trips on the water taxi where people have been unable to find their AWB among all the others in the dark.
Click to expand...
Current draw extremely low so not worth worrying about, being able to switch on a off from pontoon makes it so much safer at night, single channel with key ring was £2 when I bought last year, even runs direct of 12v supply
 
Some great suggestions! How about reflective tape below the rubbing strake, GPS position on my phone and a flashing disco ball activated from the remote you kindly suggested.

Thanks again. ��
 
Dull Spark said:
Any ideas for a remote control to activate a deck light to help return to a boat on a mooring or at anchor?

A range of about half a mile would be ideal. Failing that, I thought a cheap mobile phone left on board as part of the circuit might be OK. Problem is: what is the circuit?

What gave others done?
Click to expand...

If you're on anchor, there should be an anchor light on anyway. With such low current draw, I don't see the need for anything remotely switchable, in common with others we just leave a low level auto anchor light plugged in permanently.
 
I agree re anchor light, but I was asking about deck lights.

My experience of a cheap solar deck light was that it made the boat attractive to the local bird life. A few weeks absence meant quite a clean up. Never again!

Anyway, thanks to all who replied.
 
Dull Spark said:
I agree re anchor light, but I was asking about deck lights.

My experience of a cheap solar deck light was that it made the boat attractive to the local bird life. A few weeks absence meant quite a clean up. Never again!

Anyway, thanks to all who replied.
Click to expand...

A good anchor light is more than adequate for what you describe. We can see ours from more than a mile away.
 
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