LED Cockpit Bulbs (I know, GROAN!)

[copb8tx]

I've spent hours reading about LED bulb replacement for my cockpit lights. I've learned a lot but still have a couple of questions.

I see that many folks are using 3910 or 578 festoon bulbs to replace their current bulbs. These 2 bulbs differ in length, 1.53" vs 1.73" respectively. Do either fit our fixtures, or do the fixtures differ by model year and I need to work out which one fits my boat?

I'd also prefer to have the option of having switchable white or blue lighting like my underwater lights but can't find a bulb that supports this. Do I need to replace my fixtures to accomplish this? If so, what are the quality fixtures you've used that don't require modification to the fiberglass to mount.

Thanks!

 

[gerryb]

I replaced several of the bulbs in our cockpit fixtures with LEDs but I wouldn't recommend this. This past year a good friend of mine purchased a newer 450 and I got to spend enough time on her to notice the details, one of which was the new LED lights they use in the cockpit. Went back to my boat and immediately decided that the old style 'mariner' lights were totally out of date and needed to be replaced.

We replaced this old style...


With these...


MUCH brighter, with ability to change from Blue to Red to White and they look awesome. Fortunately I went with the cheap chinese LED bulbs. If your going to spend $15+ on the good bulbes you might want to consider spending a few bucks more and changing to the new LUMITEC model.

BTW, in the salon, we left the old fixtures and changed over using the MARINEBEAM leds. No need to change those fixtures and the cheap Chinese bulbs really are inferior to the MARINEBULBS product (we've had both).

 

[copb8tx]

It's good to hear you recommend the Lumitec product. I just bought 4 of their underwater lights for the transom. I saw your lights on their site and wondered if they were a direct replacement for what I have. Did you have to modify the opening or was it very easy to replace the existing units? Also, did you also replace the fixtures that were down by your feet for cockpit floor lighting?

My cockpit lights look like this

 

[Lanier Tom]

It's good to hear you recommend the Lumitec product. I just bought 4 of their underwater lights for the transom. I saw your lights on their site and wondered if they were a direct replacement for what I have. Did you have to modify the opening or was it very easy to replace the existing units? Also, did you also replace the fixtures that were down by your feet for cockpit floor lighting?

My cockpit lights look like this

View attachment 38663

The Atwood 2nm light fixtures took the GE90 bulbs with a bayonet base. A while back I went through this exercise and went with a retrofit to get red/white switchable LED in the cockpit. Admitidly the Lumitech units are nicer but I wasn't ready to spend $90x6 to do the cockpit. Check out this post for replacement bulb details or the mod: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...te-switchable-2008-330-DA?p=687935#post687935

 

[Do Over]

My 340 has the Perko style in the arch and the Atwood style in the stern cockpit as courtesy lights......I used these bulbs in the Atwood style with room to spare https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/bayonet-bulbs/filter/Base,1142,1,89: got the festoon style for my arch lights from the same place....seem to work just fine.

 

[copb8tx]

I cant believe I never saw your posts in my google searches with 'site:www.clubsearay.com .....'.

I really like those Lumitec Mirage lights but I sure like the cost of the other suggestions. Now I'm confused as to whether I have festoon bulbs or bayonet style bulbs. I'll need to get up to the boat and pull the covers off (75 miles away).

 

[paulswagelock]

My 340 has the Perko style in the arch and the Atwood style in the stern cockpit as courtesy lights......I used these bulbs in the Atwood style with room to spare https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/bayonet-bulbs/filter/Base,1142,1,89: got the festoon style for my arch lights from the same place....seem to work just fine.

Which bulb on the linked page specifically replaced your Atwood courtesy bulbs? Part number, single or dual contact??

 

[gerryb]

It's good to hear you recommend the Lumitec product. I just bought 4 of their underwater lights for the transom. I saw your lights on their site and wondered if they were a direct replacement for what I have. Did you have to modify the opening or was it very easy to replace the existing units? Also, did you also replace the fixtures that were down by your feet for cockpit floor lighting?

My cockpit lights look like this

View attachment 38663

I posted the wrong picture on my initial post - your photo is the right one. Exact fit with the Lumitec. Yes, it was an expensive upgrade. $85 x 8 in my case as I replaced all the cockpit lights. I will tell you the difference in brightness and quality of light is dramatic.

 

[Do Over]

Which bulb on the linked page specifically replaced your Atwood courtesy bulbs? Part number, single or dual contact??

The very first bulb is the one I used....12v

 

[paulswagelock]

The very first bulb is the one I used....12v

Thanks. How did the brightness compare to the original bulbs?

 

[Do Over]

Thanks. How did the brightness compare to the original bulbs?

I got mine in blue...I like em...the original white ones were actually too bright for me

 

[copb8tx]

Gerryb, did you go with white surrounds down low and chrome up top for any particular reason?

 

[gerryb]

Gerryb, did you go with white surrounds down low and chrome up top for any particular reason?

Really mostly my visual preference.. But, the lights on the bottom are blue and white, both dimmable; the ones on the top include red but are NOT dimmable. With these lights, you want dimming capability. On full blast white, you can see this boat from the marina parking lot... They are BRIGHT.

 

[Ctsearay]

I posted the wrong picture on my initial post - your photo is the right one. Exact fit with the Lumitec. Yes, it was an expensive upgrade. $85 x 8 in my case as I replaced all the cockpit lights. I will tell you the difference in brightness and quality of light is dramatic.

View attachment 38665

View attachment 38666

Hey Gerry what model did you use?

 

[gerryb]

Hey Gerry what model did you use?

Lumitec Mirage

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

I've been looking into the Mirage lights, to replace the 2 in my arch. The literature says they work with toggle or rocker type switches, but on my boat the switch is a soft push-button. Does anyone know if I can use these lights with this, or will I need to replace the switch? By the way, that would be a not so desirable job.

 

[Kreole Kid]

I've been looking into the Mirage lights, to replace the 2 in my arch. The literature says they work with toggle or rocker type switches, but on my boat the switch is a soft push-button. Does anyone know if I can use these lights with this, or will I need to replace the switch? By the way, that would be a not so desirable job.

You're good with that type of bulb with your switches. Also check out http://www.oraclelights.com/commercial-residential-LED/ORACLE-MARINE-LIGHTING :thumbsup:

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

You're good with that type of bulb with your switches. Also check out http://www.oraclelights.com/commercial-residential-LED/ORACLE-MARINE-LIGHTING :thumbsup:

Thx, and will check those out!

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

Lumitec Mirage

There are some cool options, like White/Red/Blue/Purple combos. Do you know if the brightness of the white is compromised, if the light has all the other colors in it?

 

[boltman]

Ok her I am again , I'm trying to replace the bathroom vanity bulbs in my 480SD and I've tried the G4 two pin and they are too big for the socket not letting the pins connect to the plug in the back , does anyone know the correct size bulbs for them ???


Boltman