Switching to LED

On my 2000 340 DA, I have the original incandescent bulbs and fixtures. I have them in both the cockpit and in the cabin. Iam NOT having any problems with them. I do notice tat they draw/use a lot of shore and battery current
In the cockpit, I am considering changing over the Perko puck light fixtures from incandescent to LED.

Any thoughts suggestions on "if" and "how" I should do this?

When I did it I looked a the amp changes. Basically the needle doesn’t move now. It’s a huge difference, especially if you like to go on anchor and use the batteries.

superwa said:

When I did it I looked a the amp changes. Basically the needle doesn’t move now. It’s a huge difference, especially if you like to go on anchor and use the batteries.

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Thanks...
Is there a manufacturers product I should use? Or one I should stay away from and not use (because they are junk)?
Is it as easy as removing the old and reconnecting wiring for the new?
Are there any "special" instructions or considerations?

There is a previous thread or two on this in the 330 thread. Your 2000 340 has the same fixtures pretty much to the late 90s 330s. I replaced all bulbs in all fixtures with stuff from LEDWholesalers. Others have used super bright.

No need to rewire anything, you remove the bulbs and replace them with LED ones within the same fixture. For instance, the cabin lights I replaced with

Yuiip No Flicker Led G4 Bulb Bi-Pin Base 2700K Warm White Light Bulb, Dustproof 12v 10W Halogen Replacement (2rd Generation Shockproof AC/DC Lamp) for Landscape RV 10 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WRS71VZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LSDpDbG8P6N78

I second on the above post. I changed all the 12v bulbs on our 2000 310 to LED with exception of the rope mood lighting in the cabin. I actually got the cocpit lights at Wal-Mart and all others of Amazon. Huge difference in power consumption on the hook and no heat output of the incandescents. Even at the dock I find that we rarely use the 110v lights so i havent bothered to change them.

I used marine beam. Very easy. Marinebeam.com.

I bought from LEDWholesalers.

I went with warm white because I find the cold white too harsh/blue.

The ones in the head, overhead cabin (not the task lamps), bilge and storage are automotive style bayonett, but I cannot recall if the pins are offset or not. Make sure you check the bases on the lamps.
Here is their comparison:


I used these to replace the bulbs in the RV style overhead lights. The pad throws a nice light the right direction.

The reading lamps are G4. The stock halogens put out about 160 lumens at 10watts. I went with tower style like these in warm white: The 1.5 watt put out about 140 lumens, the 2.5 watt about 250 lumens. So either slightly less bright or more bright (and more power)

The cockpit floor lighting on mine was a combination of a couple perko round fixtures that used plain bayonet bulbs (again cannot remember if the pins are offset or not).

The lights in my arch are round perko fixtures with 37mm festoons I think. I replaced them with red LEDs. THere are some cool ones that change color when you flash the switch so you can have white or red. I am OK with the red.

And lastly, I replaced the under lighting rope lighting with 12v LED strip lighting. Can recall where I got it, but I went with a low bulb count. I did not want them to be bright or to draw too much power. More of mood lighting. I may run another strip under the galley kickplate. I have some left. Would be good for night lighting.

THANKS All for your replies

Now it’s a matter of finding them all. For instance, I didn’t realize that there’s a light in the storage compartment at the transom that goes on when the cockpit lights are on. There are some in the engine compartment, in the closets, etc. also did the anchor light, as that tends to be on for a whole night.

One other thing to consider as you make the changes, be certain they do not interfere with your VHF radio.

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/...INV/Alerts/1318.pdf?ver=2018-08-16-091109-630

MM

Bugsy22 said:

I second on the above post. I changed all the 12v bulbs on our 2000 310 to LED with exception of the rope mood lighting in the cabin. I actually got the cocpit lights at Wal-Mart and all others of Amazon. Huge difference in power consumption on the hook and no heat output of the incandescents. Even at the dock I find that we rarely use the 110v lights so i havent bothered to change them.

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Any ideas on where I could find the rope lights in the V berth above the bed? I have on 2 blubs that are still burning and would like to replace them.

I replaced mine with LED strip lights. The ones that come in a roll. Much less power consumption. You don’t need super bright ones since they are supposed to be ambient light.

ROTYDE said:

Any ideas on where I could find the rope lights in the V berth above the bed? I have on 2 blubs that are still burning and would like to replace them.

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Sorry, as I said I havent replaced any of the rope lighting. Also we dont have any rope lighting in our v berth.