Has anyone changed there navigation bulb to LED. I'm having trouble locating the correct size bulb. Its a ba15s base and I used tech support at superbrightleds.com. They listed three bulbs but they measure almost 2". All my searches keep coming up as vehicle tail lamps. The bulb I am looking at is just about the size of a quarter.
Navigation light LED swap
Shaun77
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Has anyone changed there navigation bulb to LED. I'm having trouble locating the correct size bulb. Its a ba15s base and I used tech support at superbrightleds.com. They listed three bulbs but they measure almost 2". All my searches keep coming up as vehicle tail lamps. The bulb I am looking at is just about the size of a quarter.
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5,746 Posts
Shaun,
Take a look at these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290754995065?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Green-1156-...EDs-Automotive-Bayonet-Bulb-/290754995563?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item43b259256b
I haven't verified their brightness yet, compared to the 10w incadescents, but they fit.
I don't recommend using "cool white" bulbs, as they will make your stbd nav light look "blueish" rather than green...
Take a look at these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290754995065?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Green-1156-...EDs-Automotive-Bayonet-Bulb-/290754995563?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item43b259256b
I haven't verified their brightness yet, compared to the 10w incadescents, but they fit.
I don't recommend using "cool white" bulbs, as they will make your stbd nav light look "blueish" rather than green...
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superbrightlets.com they are having a sale plus you can cal them
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Do remember that the CG does not approve bulbs, only fixtures, so anyone changing bulbs to an unapproved model is taking on the risk.
MM
MM
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Follow up question, why do you want or need LED nav lights? I can see the need for a LED anchor light and have made that change myself but the nav lights are only on when the engine is powering the vessel.
MM
MM
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I'm with you MM on the amp draw, but maybe for longevity/reliability?
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I must be lucky. I bought extra bulbs for everything when I bought the boat and have never had a bulb go out, they only fail if you do not have a replacement. :lol: That's the trick. I also replaced the seals and did my best to seal the fixtures.
MM
MM
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A couple of things on this....I tried the bulb change, but had trouble finding the correct bulb. The people at Superbrightleds did say to use red and green colored bulbs, or it would end up producing a pinkish and lighter green light.
I ended up buying the Attwood led fixture (2 mile) on Ebay for about 1/2 of retail. Very pleased! It's a much brighter light, and that was the main reason for the change for me. Also, the amp draw is much less, the bulbs last many times longer with less heat to darken the lens, and....there is this neat little light shining on top of the fixture that you can see from the helm. No question as to if the light is on.
Don
I ended up buying the Attwood led fixture (2 mile) on Ebay for about 1/2 of retail. Very pleased! It's a much brighter light, and that was the main reason for the change for me. Also, the amp draw is much less, the bulbs last many times longer with less heat to darken the lens, and....there is this neat little light shining on top of the fixture that you can see from the helm. No question as to if the light is on.
Don
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You have some cool reasons in there especially if they are brighter. I can see the glow on the deck in the dark.
MM
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I just installed the same Nav Lts. on mine too, really like them:grin:
I wanted to change them for the brightness, reliabilty, and longetivity of LED. Plus I like as little an amp draw I can have on everything in case something gets left on accidentily. Good point though about the engine being on. I do like that Attwood and may just look into that. Not sure what you mean by CG comment. I thought regulations were based on angles/degrees and distance? Thanks for all the replys.
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Southpaw is correcrt about my intention concerning CG approvals.
Here is my thread on anchor LED's and post #31 has the photos to compare them.
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/47124-LED-Combination-Masthead-All-Around-Light
MM
Here is my thread on anchor LED's and post #31 has the photos to compare them.
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/47124-LED-Combination-Masthead-All-Around-Light
MM
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When a manufacturer markets a product that has been approved and CG compliant, it's compliant when "approved". If it gets altered from its "approved" state, it is no longer compliant to that specification (even if it's better).
Don
Don
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I have purchased and will be installing the Attwood LED Masthead light as well. I have installed 3 of them for friends and have one word of caution for those that have the Stern transom light for running. The mounting instructions conflict with themselves. It is important that you make sure the point of the triangle (single light) is facing aft. The Attwood logo should be facing forward. If not, when you are running, light will not be visible from the sides since the single light will be pointing forward. The detailed instructions show to install the light backwards but another section of the sheet shows the proper way (Attwood Logo forward). It is easy to miss and the "natural" way would seem to mount it with the point of the triangle forward. This obviously does not make as much difference on a boat that runs all sides of the masthead and does not have a transom light.
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I've changed all my exterior lighting, both Nav and cockpit lighting to LED's. Even in daylight my Nav lights are more than visible
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I would bet they never would. It's those pesky insurance investigators that would find it after the accident we all hope never happens. That to me is the risk. A sharp attorney could shift blame to you EVEN if it seems brighter to us.
MM
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Was thinking of doing this myself but never thought about just replacing the whole units and the post about using the colored led lights makes a lot of sense.
Whats funny is the PO replaced ALL the interior lights with LEDs which is great !!! but that was about the only thing he did that was right.
Thanks for the posts ... complete units it is for me too.
Whats funny is the PO replaced ALL the interior lights with LEDs which is great !!! but that was about the only thing he did that was right.
Thanks for the posts ... complete units it is for me too.
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