Cockpit Lighting

S

sjonesinfla

New Member
Mar 18, 2009
10
Naples, Florida
Boat Info
400 Sundancer 1999
Engines
Cat 3116 350's
I had a transient SR next to me this weekend and noticed at night he had very nice "blue" lighting coming from the cockpit lights around the cockpit and spoiler. When I went back to ask where he got them, he was gone.
Anybody have these? I assme they fit in the same "hole" as our standard ones. Who make them?
Please advise.

Thanks in advance.
 

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I've actually seen varying types of bulbs used in the cockpit lights over the years. But the basic premise of the above recommendation is right-on - just replace bulbs. The festoon bulbs mentioned above are also very likely the ones you have - that is by far the most common one SR used with the Perko's.

I'll second the Super Bright link, too.:thumbsup: My cockpit now has a nice red glow to it.
 
Superbrightleds.com
I changed ours a couple years ago and love them. I know they occasionally get named "disco lights" but I think they're cool. Ya I like the attention too... :D
Also the reduced current draw is a big plus. You could leave 'em on all night and not kill the batteries!
 
Who has tried both the cool white and warm white? I want something for inside the salon area, head, berths, where I can read so which works best where?

If I am reading correctly cool white is 700o Kelvin and has a bluish tint similar to HID bulbs. Whereas the warm white 3100 Kelvin is more yellowish, and closer to standard incandescant bulbs.

I have been wanting to change mine, but I want as close as possible to the same amount of luminescence.

One thing someone ementioned awhile back on CSR; something about blue attracting bugs at night. I know here in Florida the weather is typically warmer longer, so more bugs.

Blue light closer to the wavelength color used in electronic bug killers.
 
Oh boy...the dreaded blue light thread again. Do a search...
Anyway, I retrofitted the arch lights with blue LED's from Hella and striplights under the gunnels.
2007_1217searay0005.jpg
 
tobnpr said:
Oh boy...the dreaded blue light thread again. Do a search...
Anyway, I retrofitted the arch lights with blue LED's from Hella and striplights under the gunnels.
Click to expand...

Do search on what? Who said anything about a blue light thread?

I was inquiring primarily about the brightness factor between Cool White versus Warm White.

But if the bulbs, blue LEDs may in fact attract insects, I for one would sure like to know this before spending $15.00 - $20.00 per bulb.

So do they attract insects or not?
 
There was a thread a few months back - long discussion about what color was best to not attract bugs. I think the consensus was blue would attract. I don't entirely recall, though. I was just interested in the red factor.:smt001

I have not had "cool white" side-by-side to "warm white" to say. But, cool white is not attractive - worse than florescent - IMO.

I'm pretty sure Super Bright has those G4's, too. Don't know off hand about cost, though - maybe that other place has a better price. My boat used a similar style in the galley light - except the pins came out the back side of the lights, instead of one the side. I *think* I remember seeing that style, though.
 
Pseudomind said:
Do search on what? Who said anything about a blue light thread?

I was inquiring primarily about the brightness factor between Cool White versus Warm White.

But if the bulbs, blue LEDs may in fact attract insects, I for one would sure like to know this before spending $15.00 - $20.00 per bulb.

So do they attract insects or not?
Click to expand...

IF both bulbs are the same wattage they will very closely put out the same amount of Lumens. The Cool White are around 56oo Kelvin and Warm White are around 3400 Kelvin. Higher Kelvin numbers means a more blue light, lower more red. My color meter reads the Warm white from Super at around 3100K.

since there is quite a bit of gel coat in my cockpit I certainly prefer the Warm white for the arch and I have tried both. The Cool White just seems to harsh to my eye.

Around here, all lights will attract bugs, even LED's.

I use Cool white festoons on my Nav lights in Perko Fixtures.

I did buy some of the muticolor ones from Jim as I think this is the best way to go. When I took out the Perko, I found there was very thick plywood around the hole (Guess that Sea Ray Quality for ya), but the size of the tricolor was quite a big bigger in diameter and I did not want to spend a few hours with a dremel.
 
Same here ordered the multi color lights from Jim and did not want to alter the arch holes. I would perfer the multi color lights but settled for the blue bulbs @ about $5.00 a blub with plenty of compliments.
 
black pearl said:
Same here ordered the multi color lights from Jim and did not want to alter the arch holes. I would perfer the multi color lights but settled for the blue bulbs @ about $5.00 a blub with plenty of compliments.
Click to expand...

I have found that a nice color scheme is blue in the arch, and white (I like the warm white on these) in the lower lights at the helm and under the sink on my boat. Keeps the floor hot and out of your face, and the overhead comfortable for direct viewing to the light.

As a lighting designer, I am always experimenting and I have bulbs of almost every color in the drawer. the Blue Arch and Warm floor is my current favorite.
 
Uplate said:
I have found that a nice color scheme is blue in the arch, and white (I like the warm white on these) in the lower lights at the helm and under the sink on my boat. Keeps the floor hot and out of your face, and the overhead comfortable for direct viewing to the light.

As a lighting designer, I am always experimenting and I have bulbs of almost every color in the drawer. the Blue Arch and Warm floor is my current favorite.
Click to expand...

This sounds like a good compromise, and thanks for your information in the earlier post. Now if you would answer another question, just exactly what are the multi colored LEDS mentioned, are they what is known as RGB LED's?
How do they work are all three colors illuminated at once and the colors blend together to emit what appears to be one spectrum of color range?

The prices I was quoting was for the interior salon, berth, salon, and head fixtures use rear mount G-4's plug type. There are three lamps alone in the head so this can become expensive quickly to replace all interior lamps
Do you by chance have the model designation for the cockpit lamp? I would imagine the are the same for your boat or mine. If they are only around $5.00 a piece then I could afford to get a few and experiment with for the cockpit.

How bright do you believe these LED's are as navigation lights? Dimmer, brighter or about the same as the originals?

Thanks
 
Pseudomind said:
This sounds like a good compromise, and thanks for your information in the earlier post. Now if you would answer another question, just exactly what are the multi colored LEDS mentioned, are they what is known as RGB LED's?
How do they work are all three colors illuminated at once and the colors blend together to emit what appears to be one spectrum of color range?

The prices I was quoting was for the interior salon, berth, salon, and head fixtures use rear mount G-4's plug type. There are three lamps alone in the head so this can become expensive quickly to replace all interior lamps
Do you by chance have the model designation for the cockpit lamp? I would imagine the are the same for your boat or mine. If they are only around $5.00 a piece then I could afford to get a few and experiment with for the cockpit.

How bright do you believe these LED's are as navigation lights? Dimmer, brighter or about the same as the originals?

Thanks
Click to expand...

RGB Lights. I believe they have independant RGB LEDs in the fixture. After reading the docs it works like this. Switch once for color 1, switch again for color 2, switch again for color 3. Actual users of these can probably add more information.

The vertical g4 replacement for my reading, head, and aft cabin fixtures use these:

http://marinebeam.com/mr11-6led-smd-power-clus.html

Yes, they are pricey but you are only going to have to by them once and forget about leaving them on as they are very low power draw. Marine beam has lots of other bulbs as well. You may need a horizontal mount. They are a great product with the buck circuit built in which will keep them from blowing up when your DC voltage swings around. Many of the cheaper ones (Dr. LED) do not have this circuit, which is why the are cheap.

Cockpit lamp. Best thing is to pull one of the festoon bulbs and measure its length to be sure. Mine use these:

http://superbrightleds.com/specs/festoonhp_4210-xHPx.htm

I use the three LED version and they are plenty bright. Not sure if the 6 light version would fit into the reflector. They also have the buck circuit built in. Scroll down on the page and it will show a dimensioned diagram. the 42 mm is likely what you need as well.

Nav Brightness. Certainly visually as bright as the old incandescents. Although I have not put a light meter to test accurately. The Anchor lights appear much brighter than OEM's as they are not going through a colored lens. The reason I use cool white in the Navs is that the blue wavelength can be seen a a longer distance than the warmer red ones as the shorter wavelength scatters through the atmosphere better. I believe this why police lights are blue and not red anymore. Just my theory.

Hope it helps. I think it cost me about $200 to retrofit my entire boat with LED. I love the no heat, long life, and low power draw they offer. I would expect never to have to replace another bulb.

The only light I am unable to find yet is the in the cabin 120/12v overhead fixture. It has two bulbs in the fixture, one for each voltage type.
 
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Uplate (Mike) Thanks for your comments,I learned a few things I was not aware of. Thanks for your comments also Lazy Daze

Just as soon as I finish with my TV upgrade, which is in progress at the moment, waiting for a mount I ordered to come in on the 22nd. then this project is next, the bulbs to LED's.

Thanks
 
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