LED cabin lights .. Are they any good??

[jellyfish]

Thinking of changing my cabin and anchor lights to LEDs to extend my battery source when spending a few night on the water. Any suggestions / comments/ recommendations?? Are they worth it? :huh:

 

[gorf]

Check out this thread.

http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4132&highlight=led+lights

 

[jellyfish]

Thanks for the info.. :grin:

 

[AndersonAcres]

As with anything, it's a tradeoff.

We went with LEDs to conserve battery juice and to cut down on the heat in the cabin. We don't have a/c, so having cool bulbs really helps.

The LED bulbs aren't cheap, but they do work, and potentially last forever.

I also got 12v LED rope lights and put them on the bimini supports. Cockpit gets really bright with them on, and I can read out there no matter how dark it is. Even if the print in my pulp paperback is small.

 

[jellyfish]

Thanks for the LED rope idea :thumbsup: .. even for cabin use sounds ok.. Do you power the rope light through the cigarette lighter??

 

[AndersonAcres]

The rope could be powered through the cig lighter, but I did it differently.

I have two ropes, so I put two 2-prong waterproof polarized outlets in the coaming one near each bimini support and wired them into the cockpit light switch.

 

[thunderbird1]

I can't speak to the cabin lighting yet, but I did replace the arch lights on my 260 with red LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com . Easy on the eyes at night + the red lighting looks really cool. I believe others on the board have also upgraded to colored cockpit lighting.

 

[AndersonAcres]

I used amber LED festoon bulbs for the courtesy lights in the cockpit. Nice effect with the color.

 

[Firefly]

It's hard to say whether you'll like LEDs or not. There's no question they are better at conserving your battery and generate less heat.

But, LEDs to put out a different color than most people are use to. When you buy and install a "white" LED replacement bulb, the light it puts out is much bluer than the warm light put out by an incandescent bulb.

Personally, I like the color, but I've had people come on board who just hated it. An interesting note ... my wife says the LED color is better for putting on makeup. Go figure.

My advise would be to just buy one or two bulbs and experiment to see if you like them or not.

 

[drballard33]

I like the LED's but agree with Firefly, be aware of the color change if you are expecting white. superbrightLEDs.com does have a high output white that is a bit better. I upgraded them in my car and love them.

 

[aquadancer]

I changed all cockpit and arch lights to LED festoon bulbs from superbrightLEDs and love them. Also tried changing cabin overhead and reading light to LED MR-16s, but color change was just too much. In my opinion, even the "warm" white is too cold-blueish and very uninviting.

Still looking for good festoons for anchor light that offers enough visibility from all sides.

 

[Grizzly123]

I replaced some cabin lights with LED's from Imtra and there is no "color" difference compared to the incandecent bulds that were in there.

 

[drballard33]

Just a heads up to anyone who bought festoon bulbs from superbrightleds.com Keep your receipt. I have had mine starting to go at around 4-5 months. I contacted them and they responded with:

"We are unable to determine why these bulbs are failing so quickly without testing. Resistors are built into the bulb.
If you would like to return the bulbs to our 100 Washington st address, attn. returns, we will be happy to replace the bulbs.
Please include a copy of your invoice with instructions for replacement.
Sorry for your inconvenience.
Thank You,
Sondra
Super Bright LEDs
On Thu Oct 25 08:56:43 PDT 2007, Sales <sales@superbrightleds.com>
wrote:"

I will return mine, they are very good at customer service and are lokoing to find a fix.

 

[Sorrento 25]

http://www.besthongkong.com/

 

[wileecoyote]

I have the old 1989 cabin light. I can't read the number on the bulb, best I can see is T98 BN? looks like a single contact no offset on the tangs. Anyone know the number for replacement? I would like to get the LED inserts that fit in the same spot.

 

[Groucho]

I used the superbrights on my arch...I agree with the above.:smt038

 

[Kurt]

I also went with the Festoons from Superbright LED. I believe they are the 1 3/4 inch model. I used the cool whites in the cabin and yes I admit it I went BLUE on the courtesy lamps and just love them.