Installed some LED lights

Spookeay

Spookeay

New Member
Oct 27, 2009
768
Lake Martin Alabama
Boat Info
HF Radio ICOM 706 Callsign W4HLK,,


The Tow Truck, 1990 F450 7.3D
Engines
Twin 305-Cid 228Hp Mercruiser w/Alpha 1s'
A photo can't express how this looks in person. Very subdued and relaxed as you come down the companionway in to the Low LED lighting.
 

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I just bought the last 7 bulbs to completly finish converting our 260 over. It was hard for me to enjoy any lighting while on the hook because I was always thinking about the batteries draining and then having the engine battery decide to go south at the same time. I'd wake up every time the fridge kicked on and wonder "does it sound like its running slower now...?".

But enough of my paranoias...

What intensities/levels/hues did you settle on? An how did you establish the placement?
 
KRB64 said:
I just bought the last 7 bulbs to completly finish converting our 260 over. It was hard for me to enjoy any lighting while on the hook because I was always thinking about the batteries draining and then having the engine battery decide to go south at the same time. I'd wake up every time the fridge kicked on and wonder "does it sound like its running slower now...?".

But enough of my paranoias...

What intensities/levels/hues did you settle on? An how did you establish the placement?
Click to expand...

Yes, For that reason I am putting them in. I also want to get the LED replacements for one side of all the 2 bulb 12v hard mounted lamps
 
I have had bad luck with led lighting would like to know how well they hold up, but only time will tell, I paid like 40 bucks for craftsman LED work light and it lasted about 2 months needless to say I returned it for my money back.
 
Spookeay said:
Yes, For that reason I am putting them in. I also want to get the LED replacements for one side of all the 2 bulb 12v hard mounted lamps
Click to expand...

I've thought about replacing all my cabin lights with LED's too. It almost always makes sense to use less battery power to accomplish the same thing.
I'd need about a dozen overall. The aft cabin, forward berth, and dinette, each have two single swivel lights. The head, galley, and just outside of the forward hanging locker, each have a double lamp fixture.
Does anyone know the apporximate cost for a dozen bulbs, a good source for them, and possibly the correct bulb numbers?
 
LTD330 - The DIY Boating magazine just did an article on LEDs for running & anchor lights. You have to be very care when converting to meet those requirements. Let me know if you can't google it.

JVM225 - I tried crossreferencing but finally just gave up and ordered based on the dimensions and posts. Still kind of guessing when it comes to Lumenescense, colors, intensity, projection, etc, etc. They've gotten a lot cheaper lately and that makes it easier. I got these last ones from SuperbriteLEDs, I've used other online ones before.

I got a Craftsman LED worklight for Xmas a year ago. Two rows quit working but otherwise OK. Good for general illumination but not task lighting.
 
Are you guys replacing all of your cabin lights with LEDs or just a select few? I like the white light that comes out of the Xenons, but trying to decide if I want to replace all interior lighting and worry what a mixture of lighting would look like on the inside.

KRB64 said:
LTD330 - The DIY Boating magazine just did an article on LEDs for running & anchor lights. You have to be very care when converting to meet those requirements. Let me know if you can't google it.
Click to expand...
My google-fu is weak, as I can not find the DIY article you are referencing. Got Link?
 
Looks great.

LED's are best suited for accent lighting, or as the OP put it, "subdued" lighting. IMO- unless you spend the bucks. Lumen output usually isn't comparable in the cheaper ones, it would be a good idea to order a "test" replacement bulb first, before ordering a dozen to convert all your lights then deciding you don't really like it.

But, that's just my opinion- most of the time, I like a "bright' cabin unless we're watching tv or a movie. I added some for "undercabinet" lighting in the galley- where they really work well to help illuminate the countertops and stove, and on a whim installed a row on each side of the master berth underneath the storage cabinets running down the sides. I had planned on adding a wood valence to hide the LED's, but it looks pretty cool without it. Just passing along an idea...

JoSea037.jpg
 
Thanks, Yes it is true they do not put off much ambient light. they are more for accent.

I posted this under another topic some where and can't remember where...:huh:... I meant to post it along this thread.:huh:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr77_GqCoIs[/YOUTUBE]


I took some video of the lighting setup in the cabin as it stands now and is very nice. I also decided to put some under the head rest of the sofa but have not installed them as of yet.
 
I like what you have done very tatseful!
 
Thanks for the update, what brand of LED lights did you install? Great Job!
 
They do make great "night lights", for when you are moving around or going down to get a drink, etc. and don't want/need bright lights. We're used to camping so their low levels seem "normal".

Spookeay, I'm constantly amazed at how fast you accomplish things. Full time versusus a weekend every now and then makes a HUGE differene. Enveous but also gives hope and vision for us with not much time to devot to what we'd rather be doing... Are the directional lights below still incandecent?

I've just been converting a section at a time, both for money and experimentation. Had considered going to completely new housings and bypassing the existing but decided that buld replacement was cheaper and easier. may add LED strips etc later. The only one that didn't really meet our expectations were the red LEDs for toggle switch illumination. pretty weak.

LTD330 - DIY Boat just changed hands and I can't pull up the article on-line http://www.diy-boat.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/. Let me reread it and I'll post the jest of it or PM you.
 
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Nice Job Heather,
But what happened to the windows?
 
I have them. I just have not installed them yet.
It's been some weather and some just trying to finish up the cabin.
I assure you there will be a video once they are done. There will not be much to it.
A Roto Zip cutting the holes, gasket, window, trim then screws and that's it.
 
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