spotlight / large torch

wotayottie

wotayottie

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The " entering a dark anchorage at night" spotlight has failed ( Penzance 2400 hrs 2 days ago after 19 hour trip :( ).

What replacement would posters recommend and from where.LED?
 
sam_uk said:
I got one of these.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-MILLION-CAN...ernsTorches&hash=item5add68aa4e#ht_4357wt_936

It was the cheapest I could find. I also have a smaller waterproof torch
Click to expand...
One neat thing about that particular model is, although it uses 2 x 6V lead-acid gel-cells, with a bit of creative DIY, a 1 x 12V gel-cell will just fit.
"But why bother ?" you may ask - well, 12v gell cells are used as back-up batteries in fire-alarm and burglar alarm systems, and as such are changed at regular intervals - which means they can be sourced for litle money at boot sales ... I've got 4 spares, sourced this way, still with plenty of life in 'em.
 
wotayottie said:
The " entering a dark anchorage at night" spotlight has failed ( Penzance 2400 hrs 2 days ago after 19 hour trip :( ).

What replacement would posters recommend and from where.LED?
Click to expand...

I bought a 12V spotlight with a 60W halogen bulb, which I plug in with a Dri-Plug. It was about thirty quid, is light, waterproof, rubber cased and has a battery life of at least ten hours ...
 
I've got a powerful spot light which I bought years ago, but I've rarely found it much use. It can cast shadows on the moon*, but I've not found it helps when going into an anchorage. If I use it from the cockpit the reflection from the shrouds just blinds me. In ten years I doubt that it has had more than five minutes of use.

I much prefer to try to maintain my night vision.

I've often wondered if a broader beam, mounted high up, would be more use.



* A Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear quote. I liked it when he used it about the headlights on a Saab!
 
Rigger Mortice said:
I've got a powerful spot light which I bought years ago, but I've rarely found it much use. It can cast shadows on the moon*, but I've not found it helps when going into an anchorage. If I use it from the cockpit the reflection from the shrouds just blinds me. In ten years I doubt that it has had more than five minutes of use.

I much prefer to try to maintain my night vision.
Click to expand...

I agree. I carried a BFO torch on the Jouster, but hardly ever used it. On most nights there's enough light around to see what you're doing if your eyes are accustomed to it. The spotlight is mainly there as a steamer scarer. Memo to self: buy red Woolworth's plate.
 
i use a lucas sealed beam spotlight from a car, with a long lead and driplug which is plugged into the fitting in the cockpit, ideal for when i have used it.

Went to a canal boat chandlery yesterday, and they stock nice large spotlights for those narrowboats to fit on the front for those juants through the tunnels. looked ideal for a handheld spotlight.
 
I have a NightSearcher Ranger - the halogen model since the LED didn't exist when I bought it. It's bright enough to see the spot on houses down the road in full sunshine. I've extended the wire and changed the plug on the end to suit my cockpit socket (also used for the anchor light, and wired to run a 25A dinghy pump should I ever get one).

I agree with the point about backscatter interfering with night vision - with crew I'd put someone on the bow with the light so there's nothing to reflect off. On my own I hold it well out to the side which helps to some extent.

I recently bought a Lenser T7 on recommendation here. I only really wanted a general-purpose torch but, going on deck at midnight the other week to check we were suitably anchored after floating off, I found it had a remarkably useful range for such a small device.

Pete
 
I have a standard NS Panther that Nightsearcher upgraded to a 'marinised' version (waterproof switch and gaskets etc) FREE OF CHARGE. Superb service and customer relations. No conection blah blah.
 
Rigger Mortice said:
I've got a powerful spot light which I bought years ago, but I've rarely found it much use. It can cast shadows on the moon*, but I've not found it helps when going into an anchorage. If I use it from the cockpit the reflection from the shrouds just blinds me. In ten years I doubt that it has had more than five minutes of use.

I much prefer to try to maintain my night vision.

I've often wondered if a broader beam, mounted high up, would be more use.



* A Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear quote. I liked it when he used it about the headlights on a Saab!
Click to expand...

I agree completely! You can see more with a small torch cos the light bounces back less
 
Rigger Mortice said:
I've got a powerful spot light which I bought years ago, but I've rarely found it much use. It can cast shadows on the moon*, but I've not found it helps when going into an anchorage. If I use it from the cockpit the reflection from the shrouds just blinds me. In ten years I doubt that it has had more than five minutes of use.

I much prefer to try to maintain my night vision.
Click to expand...

We had several narrow misses with lobster pots and one mooring buoy because we couldnt see them with a quarter moon hiding behind clouds. Yes I agree that the light is of limited help but any help is worth it IMO.
 
prv said:
<Snip> I've extended the wire and changed the plug on the end to suit my cockpit socket (also used for the anchor light, and wired to run a 25A dinghy pump should I ever get one). <Snip>

Pete
Click to expand...
Which plugs and sockets did you use to carry the 25A - these ciggie type do not seem top be suitable for such currents
 
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