Automatic Anchor light

ssobol · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:42 pm Post subject: Automatic Anchor light

I have an LED anchor light (LED replacement in the standard Perko Fixture). Does anyone know a good automatic sensor that I can put in the circuit to switch the anchor light on and off automatically?

I have seen some examples online, but they are designed to work on boats that are already equipped with solar panels, but I don't have any. The couple of commercial units I have found seem to be overpriced.

Thanks.

jimicliff · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 9:30 am Post subject: anchor light

I'm guessing a good auto electric outfit will be your best bet for installition unless you are hooked up with an outfit you already use. All you need is a light sensor hooked directly in line with your anchor light. It will be acting as your switch. Not really sure this is a real good idea how ever we all want different stuff. Good luck it should not be to expensive, it's just something I would want to be able to turn on reguardless of the sensor. I was almost hit one night and that made me go to a hallogen thats for sure. Cliff

NewMoon · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 9:39 am Post subject:

Hi ssobol,

Don't know if this is your concern, but:

Our Perko anchor light used to be our second highest consumer of amp-hours, after the fridge, so I thought about installing a sensor that would switch it on only when it was dark, and off when it was light again.

Now that I've replaced it with an LED light, it uses so little juice that I don't hesitate to turn it on, nor do I worry about turning it off as early as possible in the morning.

ssobol · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:43 am Post subject:

I have the LED bulb in my Perko anchor light. I was mostly thinking that having an automatic switch would be handy when the boat is anchored out, but unattended. That way the light would come on when needed without my having to go turn it on or leaving it on all the time.

It occurred to me that this might be useful when I was walking around an anchorage in FL and noticed a lot of anchor lights coming on at about the same time, including on boats that were clearly unattended.

mailbox101 · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:45 pm Post subject:

Didn't think it was anything I would ever use, but ended up getting it as it was an inexpensive upgrade to a new LED mast light that I needed. Have since discovered that not only does it save power in the evening, but you can sleep-in, in the morning.

I also like the security aspect of it when we dinghy off for dinner, as an anchor light that is lit several hours before sunset indicates an unattended boat.

thataway · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:18 pm Post subject:

For about $7 you can put a Photo electric sensor cell/swith in line:
http://www.amazon.com/Photocell-Light-Switch-Photoswitch-Sensor/dp/B00F04RTPK

Ray · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:43 am Post subject:

Be cautious of the quiescent ("off" state) power consumption of these.

I have no idea what they are, but some could be as much as what you are trying to control in the first place.

Just something to check.

bridma · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:43 pm Post subject:

If I remember correctly from my boating proficiency course (in Canada). Masthead steaming light, also the anchor light on C-Dorys, should be switched on one hour before sunset, and off one hour after sunrise in normal weather conditions. Putting in an auto sensor you will most likely end up breaking maritime law. If you hit someone or they hit you, you have created a loophole for the insurance company to avoid a pay out.

Martin.

ssobol · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 11:10 pm Post subject:

But if I am not on the boat to switch the light on (or forget) I am also breaking the law.

Some sensors have sensitivity adjustments to control when they switch on and off.

I'll also probably rig it up so that there is an auto position and an on position on the switch so that I can manually turn it on/off if necessary.

I foresee using this mostly when I leave the boat sometime during the day expecting to return after dark.

There is also this one: http://store.marinebeam.com/dusk-to-dawn-automatic-photocell-led-anchor-light-bulb/

It will do the trick if it fits the Perko fixture. However, I just bought a LED bulb that goes in the Perko and this light does not allow for a manual override.

I don't know if it is technically legal. I would expect that a store like MarineBeam would have done some due diligence though.

chimoii · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 2:39 pm Post subject:

That integral unit looks great. Of course I would have to remember to switch off in the morning or it would come on when I got back in the boathouse! Duh. Embarassed

bridma · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 5:25 pm Post subject:

Wondering why this topic is in the "Boats For Sale" column and not in the general posting box? I bet there are quite a few brats missing out on this discussion!

Martin.

ssobol · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 5:35 pm Post subject:

Not sure how it got in the For Sale section. Must have been a mistake on my part. However, it still should appear in the list under "View posts since last visit" when a user is logged in, no matter what topic it is under.