LED's Cockpit Red/White switchable- 2008 330 DA

[Lanier Tom]

Sorry for the long post. You can skip to the parts/steps and pics if you want to see the end result.

I wanted to install LED's in my 2008 330 DA cockpit using the original Atwood 2nm anchor lights (about 3" diameter). There are 2 fixtures on the arch and 3 around the cockpit with type 90 bayonet bulbs (BA15D base). The problem is the fixture is very tight and there are few LED's that will fit. One choice if you want to plug and play is the GE90 replacement from Marinebeam.com ( http://store.marinebeam.com/bayonet-90-led-replacenment.html ) which you can get in warm white (match original) or cool white (brighter/bluish in color).

But I kept eyeing the red/white switchable LED units that work off the original wiring (turn it on=red, turn it off and back on=white). There are some fixtures out there that have red/white or blue/white, or even red/blue/white but the fixtures are real expensive ($100+ each). Then I found an LED G4 bi pin replacement bulb that was red/white switchable. The next problem was by the time I added a base adapter to convert the BA15D to G4 it wouldn’t fit in the original Perko fixture. So I decided to modify the fixture, removing the BA15D socket and using gluing a G4 base on.

Here’s a parts list:

1. Red/White- G4 back pin (5 units for $22 ea.)- http://store.marinebeam.com/red-white-led-g4.html
2. G4 bi pin lamp socket base (10 pack for $10): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00863AWI8/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item
3. Plastic washers- 1” outside diameter with 3/8” inside diameter drilled out of “Tupperware”- inner hole is big enough to pass the LED pins through
4. Glue gun for arts and crafts- could use glue or caulk too

Steps:

1. Remove Atwood light fixture and cut wires.
2. Remove bulb and base from fixture (black socket base snaps out)
3. Glue washer to back of fixture
4. Glue G4 socket base to back of washer with bi pin holes lined up
5. Insert LED in fixture
6. Connect G4 socket wires to light wires cut in step 1

Now for pictures:
Atwood 3” anchor light (2nm) fixture with red/white LED installed

Side view of fixture housing- note black bulb base which snaps out

Old bulb/base and new G4 back pin red/white LED with G4 base

Plastic washer and G4 base glued to back of fixture

Ready for reassembly with LED installed

Turn the lights on and Red LED comes on first

Turn the lights off and back on and Warm White LED comes on

 

[GrandMaster]

Very interesting. I'm pretty sure I have the same fixtures in the cockpit & arch but for some reason I thought I had festoon bulbs in mine...Now I have one more thing to check this weekend. Assuming it ever stops reaining is SFL

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Very nice write up. Simple and elegant at the same time. I might have to try it myself.

 

[chpsk8]

Very cool. I have two arch lights and two under seat lights, I'll have to see if the under seat lights can be modified for those G4s.
Pare those switchable red/white LEDs common? Maybe other bases around?
I like $100 mods that can be done in a couple hours like that.

Nice write up also.

 

[rondds]

I was wondering how those work. The PO put in the 3 way lights on my boat...white, red, blue. $100 per fixture? WOW. I think there are 4 or 5 of em. Is that glue gun stuff going to hold long term?

 

[DDD]

Great job!
Thinking of doing the same.

Is it legal to run at night with the red or blue on?

 

[Kreole Kid]

Very nice write up and install Tom

 

[BigBoysToys]

That looks great. I'm in the middle of doing the same thing although I went a slightly different route. I'm using the socket adapter to a G4 then installing these in warm white... 111 lumen each. Should have them in on Monday.

 

[AFD]

Lanier Tom,
so the bulbs "know" to turn on red first and white after ?
if you turn on the reds and leave them on then shut them off and turn them on 5 minutes later does it go red or white? basically, how long is the "reset time" on the bulbs.

disregard the entire post, i just watched the video and read the description on marine beam.

 

[Quint4]

Great post, on my list for next year.

 

[mpmiller]

Great mod. I replaced my fixtures in the cockpit with a tri-color set from ITC Marine. A lot cheaper than the Apeiron tri-color set I installed in my arch, and very similar in terms of light output.

 

[Masmar]

ordered G4 and pin adapters today. Red by Saturday! well, white, then red!

 

[Masmar]

One small change. The bulbs at superbrightleds.com were $22 apiece. Here: http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=978 they are $12!!! I got the remaining 3 from here for the cost of 2!!! at superbrightleds. Also- the G4 adapter fits perfectly inside the old atwood socket where the bulb used to go. I just ran the G4 adapter wires out the back side of the socket- then tighten them up to the socket with a zipstrip and snapped the old atwood bulb holder back into the fixture placement. Photos to follow.

 

[tlrlc]

masmar you ever do the install?have any feed back on bulbs - quality, output?any pics?thanks

 

[Masmar]

tlrlc- did the install and sorry for not posting about it. The $12 bulbs are too big for the atwood fixtures. But they did replace the interior DC bulbs in the overhead very nicely. I now have the ability to light the interior and exterior all in red if I want. Turns out I had to purchase 3 more $22 bulbs from superbright for the exterior lights. All work great!! I did have to cut wires and reattach for G4 pins, but if you follow the photos posted by original poster it is an easy and great upgrade. Quality bulbs that look exactly like old halogens, but start out red. Good luck!

 

[tlrlc]

Thanks For the info. Can't wait for a new season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mistercomputerman]

One check, no new wires, 5 minutes and you are done:

http://www.lumiteclighting.com/prod...nterior-lights/flush-mount-down-lights/shadow

 

[carterchapman]

Rick, looks like they're available West Marine. How much were they again?

 

[mistercomputerman]

I paid about $90 each. While I am not a fan of the blue lights, in order to get white dimming, you have to buy the red, blue, white ones. That said, after replacing the 4 cockpit and 2 radar arch lights, I am impressed. Couple of minutes to install the lights and some flicking on and off of the original dash switch and you can have red, blue, white, or white dimmed to your satisfaction. The white, when turned all the way up, is like having daylight in the cockpit.

Half a boat dollar, but, worth it to me.

Would my spell checker masterfab please check this post for mistakes?

 

[sporters78]

How do you dim the lumitec ? I was thinking about installing a pair in my arch if they are bright enough?
thanks
steve