To LED, or not to LED. That is the question ?

[jmac]

I just ordered the newer generation of LEDs to trial. My old ones are now nearly 4 years old and I love them. My saloon current draw went from 20A down to 3A and without a doubt they've paid for themselves over the years now. Heck, I can even dim them (although not mentioned in the spec) - and at less than £1 each what's not to like? Even if one fails - send it back?? Why bother...

If you spend any time outside a marina, they will surely pay for themselves in a very short time.

 

[Boreades]

Bah! Just to complicate my Request For Funding Report to SWMBO, the relative effectiveness of the LED replacement will also depend on what Wattage the old G4 halogen bulbs were.

10W. 130 lumens
20W, 280 lumens
50W, 950 lumens

According to here

Now thinking I'll go for these ones on eBay with 180 lumen rating.
Pack of 10 for £7.99 + 99p P&P

 

[Richard10002]

Now thinking I'll go for these ones on eBay with 180 lumen rating.
Pack of 10 for £7.99 + 99p P&P

I can't see where it says a pack of 10? Looks like its for only one - but my eyes aren't what they used to be

 

[RobbieW]

I can't see where it says a pack of 10? Looks like its for only one - but my eyes aren't what they used to be

You probably need more light on it

 

[Boreades]

I can't see where it says a pack of 10? Looks like its for only one - but my eyes aren't what they used to be

Richard, thanks for pointing that out, your eyes are working fine - my mistake! I confused it with this pack of 10.

 

[Just Cruising]

We went LED for all the rooflights and one in each for reading etc cabin and anchor and tricolor, anything on when the engine is on is the old type as power consumption doesnt matter. We paid 50 odd quid for the rated kite marked LED masthead tricolor and anchor light and about 5 eiros for the cabin lights, they have lasted 4 years and we live aboard. Go LED you wont regret it and get some solar panels, wind gen is not the best in 1/2 the med but solars are awesome.lights are on almost all evening and the batt drain is very very low.

 

[claudio]

LEDS don't like lightning, you don't have to be the subject of the strike, being in the vicinity of a thunderstorm is often enough.
Like any semiconductor device they are quite sensitive to EMP

Mast wiring will act as an antenna, it helps to use use twisted pairs on LED wiring to cancel out some of the effects of the EMP.

Install a unidirectional transil or zener diode at the LED end.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket, keep some incandescent lighting just in case

 

[BigJoe]

One other thing.........

Although I thought I bought "like for like" LEDs

SWMBO says its about twice as bright down below with the LEDs, than it was with the old bulbs, and I agree with her.

So one satisfied LED convert.

 

[cozzykim]

One other thing.........

Although I thought I bought "like for like" LEDs

SWMBO says its about twice as bright down below with the LEDs, than it was with the old bulbs, and I agree with her.

So one satisfied LED convert.

We've had the same experience with the LED G4s for our boat from this eBay seller.

We get much brighter and very warm white light than from our previous 10W halogens.

I went for 10-30V regulated 5050 chips, some disc and some tubular for reading lamps, as the varying battery/shorepower/genny volts can be problematic for single voltage LEDs.

Bear in mind the possible downside that some regulators may cause interference with HF radio.

We were drawing 30A with all lights on, now down to less than 5A.