LED Anchor Light

stclairgal · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:56 pm Post subject: LED Anchor Light

Hi C-Brat Friends!
our anchor light mast is pretty corroded and does not work. It lights up if you jiggle it, but thats it.
We think it would be best to just replace the whole fixture. Maybe with a folddown LED anchor light? Has anyone done this and what model did you use? Is this an easy project?
Thanks so much!

thataway · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:23 pm Post subject:

You should be able to replace it with a standard Perko Socket LED anchor light, which fits the base you have.

bridma · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:17 am Post subject: LED Anchor Light

and if a standard Perko anchor light does not come with an LED bulb, Marinebeam has them, they fit perfectly.

Martin.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:02 pm Post subject:

I don't have a specific suggestion, but if I were replacing the whole fixture, I would get a "real" LED one instead of just an LED bulb in a "regular" fixture. Reason being that with the LED bulb in the "regular" fixture you still have the vulnerable contact points, etc. The dedicated LED fixtures don't have all that and are usually a "potted" LED.

(I did go with the Marine Beam bulb, but that's because the fixture was in great shape and it was easy to just get the bulb; however if I were ever to replace the fixture I would go with a dedicated LED.)

stclairgal · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:22 pm Post subject: LED light

Sunbeam
those were my thoughts exactly - if i have to replace the light, I may as well upgrade to a fold-down LED. Hella makes one, but is pricey - around $150.
Thanks everyone for your input! If anyone has done this upgrade, please post!

NewMoon · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject:

Our boat had a Perko combined anchor and steaming light. The bulb sockets (in a not even close to waterproof enclosure) had been getting more and more corroded over the years, and had me taking the top off and monkeying with the bulbs to get both to be on at anchor several times last summer. So this fall I removed it completely and replaced with this Attwood LED anchor/steaming light from Amazon. Three LED's, two for the steaming light, and all three for anchoring. Much brighter, folds down, and should save a good bit of electricity as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-LED-Anchor-Masthead-Light/dp/B003EWQNOS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390602085&sr=8-2&keywords=led+anchor+light

NORO LIM · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: LED light

hardee · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:16 pm Post subject:

I like the application of the TriLens and Light combination. Did you have to do any additional support for the base when adding that? Is there much additional weight from the radar reflector?

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

NORO LIM · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:21 am Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:43 am Post subject:

Thanks Bill. I have looked at them (TriLens) for a long time and just have not figured how to make them fit on the 22.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

redbaronace · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:12 am Post subject:

I need a new anchor light as mine snagged as I went under a low hanging power wire. Surprising that my rocket launchers cleared the wire and they were nearly the same height as the anchor light.

Might as well chose an LED model.

Ray · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 12:50 pm Post subject:

I have an Attwood fold-down (#5557-20-7) - very happy with it, and I can fold it down to clear obstacles when trailering.

mailbox101 · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 7:05 am Post subject:

We do a lot of night travel, as well as occasional anchoring. The original Perko (the double-sided, oval one) had significant salt-water corrosion issues, and the bulbs never lasted long, presumably due to vibration while in use. The unit had 2 bulbs, so initially I dealt with this by just stockpiling a bunch on the boat, and changing them as needed. One night, after discovering that I had crossed the better part of San Francisco Bay, including the main shipping channel, without either bulb working, I decided it was time to do something about it.

I had previously tried a couple of the LED replacement bulbs from Dr. LED, but the end caps had corroded off. Many of the alternatives that I found at West Marine and other chandleries just weren't as bright. Even the manufacturers only claimed 2nm, while the original Perko was 3nm. Although, arguably, the requirement for our size is only 2nm, it just didn’t seem to be a bright idea to downgrade, especially given the quantity of traffic in the bay. Even in the day those catamaran ferries can sneak up on you if you’re not careful, and at night I want to be seen.

At first I considered getting some really bright LEDs and building my own, but I discovered that the USCG approves fixtures with a specific bulb. Although USCG certification is not required, if there was ever an incident, the burden of proof would be on me, in order to prove that the lights were sufficient, instead of a legal assumption that they were.

While I was looking through some of the USCG material on the subject, I came across something that indicated what they use on some of their small craft and decided to give it a try. It is a sealed unit, so corrosion will be inhibited, and when I installed it at Two Harbors it was one of the brightest lights in the harbor, which is saying a lot as some of those boats are much larger.

The only drawback is price, but I decided it was worth it for safety, as we are out at night a lot, and sometimes anchor out. MSRP is $249 for the 3NM360W, plus $25 for an optional photodiode to turn the light off in the day, when anchoring. A pole adapter is available for $40. It is basically a small block of plastic that lets you mount it to the top of the pole used by your existing light. If you are handy, you could probably make your own, but I was short on time.

This is not the “Steaming and Anchor” light, no matter what some salesperson may tell you.
The tube adapter is not the mount sold on the same page as the light, but is found separately, as an accessory.
Although the MISEA website lists the photodiode for anchoring as an option for the 3NM360W, some retailers list it as a separate model, 3NM360WP.

Here are the links to the parts on the MISEA website:
LED 3NM Anchor 360 degree, White
Pole Mount Adapter for Signal Mate Navigation Lights

If the above links don't work you can also browse to them on the www.miseagroup.com website:
Products/LED Navigation Lights/Under 20 Meters/All Around Lights/LED 3NM Anchor 360 degree White
Products/Accessories/Plates and Adaptors/Pole Mount Adapter for Signal Mate

Chester · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:04 pm Post subject:

redbaronace · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:57 am Post subject:

Just ordered the Atwood 3nm for $70 shipped. Hope it works out good.

Trying to get all the boat fixes done now before the season starts. Last year was too much fixing and not enough time enjoying.