Recommendations for some good cockpit lights?
- Thread starter beradon
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thataway
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Some of the current C Dories/TC come with a flush light in the cockpit walls. These are a little bright for me--you could tone them down with a smaller bulb or a piece of red plastic over the lense.
I would consider some of the red or amber LED's I have some from West Marine--there are 2 or 3 LED's in a row, and then put out minimal light (I have red)--and preserve the light vision.
I personally don't like the spreader or high type of lights--and prefer to keep the light level down, so I have a better chance at reading the water.
I would consider some of the red or amber LED's I have some from West Marine--there are 2 or 3 LED's in a row, and then put out minimal light (I have red)--and preserve the light vision.
I personally don't like the spreader or high type of lights--and prefer to keep the light level down, so I have a better chance at reading the water.
Sea Wolf
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beardon-
Besides lights placed on the cabin top or rear bulkhead, another scheme is to put rope lights (12v incadescent or LED) underneath the gunnels to light the work area without lighting the water and/or washing out your night vision. This of course gives you indirect lighting. They can be red, white or whatever you want. I'll get a photo for you right here soon. Joe.
Besides lights placed on the cabin top or rear bulkhead, another scheme is to put rope lights (12v incadescent or LED) underneath the gunnels to light the work area without lighting the water and/or washing out your night vision. This of course gives you indirect lighting. They can be red, white or whatever you want. I'll get a photo for you right here soon. Joe.
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I finally got back into The Hull Truth website to look for LED cockpit lighting.
I'm going to list a LINK to their discussion first.
Then I'll note that you can use any of several sources for12-volt LED or incadescent (filament) rope lights to do the job.
Just Google
"12 volt LED rope lights"
The LED's use about 1/10 the amperage of the incadescent lights, but it makes very little difference between 0.5 amps and 5.0 amps for 17 ft strings of the lights respectively, unless you're using them all night long without running the motor. The incadescents are cheaper.
Joe.
I'm going to list a LINK to their discussion first.
Then I'll note that you can use any of several sources for12-volt LED or incadescent (filament) rope lights to do the job.
Just Google
"12 volt LED rope lights"
The LED's use about 1/10 the amperage of the incadescent lights, but it makes very little difference between 0.5 amps and 5.0 amps for 17 ft strings of the lights respectively, unless you're using them all night long without running the motor. The incadescents are cheaper.
Joe.
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Wow, those colored led's kind of give the boat a Santa Barge look! Too bad it never gets dark enough here in the summer to utilize them. :moon
Mike on Huda Thunkit
Mike on Huda Thunkit
rogerbum
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As Joe pointed out, rope lights as a good way to go. I put rope lights under the gunnels on my 22. I looked at LED's but they were cost prohibitive at the time. I bought 12V white incandescent rope lights. This thread has a brief discussion of rope lights. My installation cost me about $43. The indirect lighting is great and I find I like the white lights just fine. I also installed a spot light just to the starboard side of the door. This is much brighter and will shine over my shoulder if I'm cutting bait on the table at the transom.
Very nice Sea Wolf ! I think thats the hot set up. Never knew 12V rope lights were made. A string of them under the gunwales and maybe a flood light on a separate switch for rigging tackle and such should work out great. Thanks for the pics!
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beardon-
You're welcome!
Tonight I'll get a few pictures of the red LED lights in my cabin and post them here. I think you'll be impressed. Have to wait for it to get dark first!
Joe.
You're welcome!
Tonight I'll get a few pictures of the red LED lights in my cabin and post them here. I think you'll be impressed. Have to wait for it to get dark first!
Joe.
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We mounted two West marine white LED units in the aft corners of the cockpit and they are great! Subdued lighting, but enough to see our way around and they draw nothing.
We also mounted two red LED units in the cabin at floor level. The red are much brighter than the white.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
We also mounted two red LED units in the cabin at floor level. The red are much brighter than the white.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
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As promised, here are two pictures of my cabin lights. I ordered them for the cockpit, but decided they were more useful in the cabin. Would be a welcome addition in either place.
The first photo is with just the LEDs on and the incadescent map lights on, the second is also with the flourescents also on so you can see the set up better. It's hard to photograph the LED's well because of internal reflections in the clear plastic tubes and the long exposure times.
The entire 17 ft string of LED rope lights uses a little over 0.5 amps of current!
The LED rope lights are secured to the top of the cabin with clear plastic wire straps at the inside where the screw heads are for the roof hand rails. (I have wooden ones, so there are seven screws, not four, as with the stainless ones.)
Joe.
The first photo is with just the LEDs on and the incadescent map lights on, the second is also with the flourescents also on so you can see the set up better. It's hard to photograph the LED's well because of internal reflections in the clear plastic tubes and the long exposure times.
The entire 17 ft string of LED rope lights uses a little over 0.5 amps of current!
The LED rope lights are secured to the top of the cabin with clear plastic wire straps at the inside where the screw heads are for the roof hand rails. (I have wooden ones, so there are seven screws, not four, as with the stainless ones.)
Joe.
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Joe,
Thanks for adding the pictures from our album. I'm looking forward to meeting you at the SBS. By the way, we have a new Boomer at our house, too. He's an Airedale puppy, named after our first Airedale.
Beradon,
Thanks for your comment about the reflective tape (ACR).
There's a story behind it. In the late 80's I was in FL on an extended cruise (2 years) and someone on a nearby anchored sailboat had their dinghy come loose at night in the Ft. Lauderdale anchorage and drift away with the tide. We finally found it and I then slapped some of the reflective tape on my Achilles and its outboard.
A few nights later, someone called out that my dinghy was adrift and I easily found it with a flashlight, and the scumbag towing it away with an aluminum boat. He soon left the scene with fellow cruisers in pursuit, leaving my Achilles behind.
A few months later, I left the Keys and headed across the Gulf for the Caloosahatchee River, bound for Lake Okechobee and the Saint Lucie Canal and points north. I left Spirit anchored in the Glades and took the inflatable to Everglades City for dinner. Big mistake! I returned after dark and spent two hours trying to find my boat, even though it was anchored very close to the channel, and I was using a very powerful flashlight. I was climbing the mast the next day to add some reflective tape, which made it more visible to others and very easy to find in a crowded anchorage.
I've been adding the stuff to anything that floats ever since.
Sorry if I got long-winded, but I think it's an interesting story.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
Thanks for adding the pictures from our album. I'm looking forward to meeting you at the SBS. By the way, we have a new Boomer at our house, too. He's an Airedale puppy, named after our first Airedale.
Beradon,
Thanks for your comment about the reflective tape (ACR).
There's a story behind it. In the late 80's I was in FL on an extended cruise (2 years) and someone on a nearby anchored sailboat had their dinghy come loose at night in the Ft. Lauderdale anchorage and drift away with the tide. We finally found it and I then slapped some of the reflective tape on my Achilles and its outboard.
A few nights later, someone called out that my dinghy was adrift and I easily found it with a flashlight, and the scumbag towing it away with an aluminum boat. He soon left the scene with fellow cruisers in pursuit, leaving my Achilles behind.
A few months later, I left the Keys and headed across the Gulf for the Caloosahatchee River, bound for Lake Okechobee and the Saint Lucie Canal and points north. I left Spirit anchored in the Glades and took the inflatable to Everglades City for dinner. Big mistake! I returned after dark and spent two hours trying to find my boat, even though it was anchored very close to the channel, and I was using a very powerful flashlight. I was climbing the mast the next day to add some reflective tape, which made it more visible to others and very easy to find in a crowded anchorage.
I've been adding the stuff to anything that floats ever since.
Sorry if I got long-winded, but I think it's an interesting story.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
That looks like a great way to light up the cabin. Enough light to read a chart, cook a meal or even play cards. I like the fact that the entire cabin is illuminated evenly. I'll be getting my CD in about 2 months and rope lighting is going to be one of the first improvements -Thanks for the pics!