LEDs

[Tritone]

I am planning on installing LEDs in my cockpit and another circuit of LEDs down below. I would like the cockpit lights in warm white and red for underway. I also want them to be on a dimmer switch. The same for below except for the red, just white. Does anyone know of a good thread on the subject? The thing is I can't seem to find good information to learn about exactly what I need for the project like kind of switches, lights, 12v transformers, dimmers, resistors, remotes, et cet. There are thousands of products available but few quality tutorials. Anyone undertake this project? Know where to get solid info?
Justin

 

[rpasquarello]

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/56804-LED-light-bulbs/page3

Look through the above thread.

-Rocco-

 

[Tritone]

Thanks Rocco. There was some good info in there for a good start. I still need more info for my application, though.

 

[Time To Relax]

I don't know your area but around here the radio stereo guys do the LED stuff mite want to check with them.

 

[Creekwood]

I am planning on installing LEDs in my cockpit and another circuit of LEDs down below. I would like the cockpit lights in warm white and red for underway. I also want them to be on a dimmer switch. The same for below except for the red, just white. Does anyone know of a good thread on the subject? The thing is I can't seem to find good information to learn about exactly what I need for the project like kind of switches, lights, 12v transformers, dimmers, resistors, remotes, et cet. There are thousands of products available but few quality tutorials. Anyone undertake this project? Know where to get solid info?
Justin

Try this thread:
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/29780-LED-Bulb-Retrofit-Part-I-Cabin

 

[Kreole Kid]

The LED's are much dimmer than a standard bulb. You might want to look at the LED Strips. You can pick them up from auto zone, pep boys, etc. I placed 3 of these strips under each helm seat for starters. Then I went wild with it around the stern seating area. You can see the pics in my album page titled "New Bling".

 

[moparlvr4406]

The LED's are much dimmer than a standard bulb. You might want to look at the LED Strips. You can pick them up from auto zone, pep boys, etc. I placed 3 of these strips under each helm seat for starters. Then I went wild with it around the stern seating area. You can see the pics in my album page titled "New Bling".

Agreed on the strips did them under my steps into the cabin
and you can buy them in different lengths for your application

 

[Tritone]

Nice work to you guys. This is the type of installation I want to do. That is to say, lights in longs strips. Maybe it's simpler than I think. It's just that I've read that boat LEDs are more problematic than cars because the voltage varies more. Maybe you need different kinds of resistors and such. Have you had problems with them burning out or running to hot? If I want to change colors, is that specific to the lights, or is that done by a controller? And dimming?
Thanks,
J

 

[Kreole Kid]

Tritone, there are a million possibilities for rigging LED strips. Check out "Superbightleds.com", and Oracle's website as well. WARNING.... YOU WILL GET OVERWHELMED!!!

 

[Kreole Kid]

Also, they DON'T get hot, period. I have ALL of mine tapped into existing cockpit light fixtures. They just need a 12 volt source. Just remember, if you're installing anywhere in the cockpit area, you want to get an "outdoor" or "waterproof" setup...

 

[skylark]

great info, this is a project I want to do in the spring

 

[Jackie J V]

One of the great things about LEDs for me is the wide tolerance in voltage (typically - varies from bulb to bulb). My systems are generally 24V and finding 24V incandescents in a PITA. This is about the simplest project you can do on your boat. Go to superbrightleds.com. Bulbs aren't cheap, but I've had mine for a couple of years without one failure - and I've replaced just about every bulb on the boat.

Paul

 

[Tritone]

Thanks for the source. Wow, so many choices.

Tritone, there are a million possibilities for rigging LED strips. Check out "Superbightleds.com", and Oracle's website as well. WARNING.... YOU WILL GET OVERWHELMED!!!

 

[ktm509]

anyone know where to find the bulb numbers for the cockpit, stairs and bridge lights? thanks

 

[Dquint]

Anyone know how or what to replace the dimmers with. I replaced all the bulbs, but now the dimmers do not function. When you turn the knob it's off or on. Also on my bridge I have a dimmer switch and need to hold it like 10 seconds before the lights come on. I read somewhere that LED's need digital or pulse magnetic dimmers. I have looked at Vimar for the salon and staterooms, and looked at carling for the bridge to know avail.

 

[Voldad]

Most LED modules you can buy to replace standard bulbs have built in switching regulators. This keeps the light intensity constant over the wide range of voltages (11 - 14) typical. While LEDs are easy to dim, in a switching module you do have to have access to the internal switching regulator's PWM (pulse width modulator) . . . so you probably won't be able to dim easily.