Free cabin lights!

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:02 am Post subject: Free cabin lights!

Good Morning Brats,

I have two C-Dory cabin lights free to the first person to respond. We found that the v-berth lights were too hard to read by (at least for us) because they were mounted right over our faces and instead we installed two LED swiveling reading lights from www.sailboatstuff.com .

We tried LED replacement bulbs, but like these better, as they are directional. Anyhow, we chose the six LED models for the v-berth and two 9 LED units for main cabin use. I will post pictures of the main cabin installation once I get the teak mounting blocks attached and everything squared away. The main cabin lights do not replace the overheads.

Just send me a mailng address and I'll fire them out or we can bring them to the SBS if the lucky person will be there.

Best regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"

colobear · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:11 am Post subject:

Nick,

Good idea. I've been looking for a better way to light the Vee berth. The factory pancake lights, as you point out, do glare directly in one's face while reading. Have you used the LED lights for nighttime reading yet?

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:13 am Post subject:

The cabin lights have been claimed by John on Swee' Pea. After his efforts getting us our screened, sliding windows for our cabins, it's the least I could do to help pay him back.

Oh yeah, it only took eleven minutes for his response.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:20 am Post subject:

C-Cakes,

Not yet, but they will be okay.

I first ordered some $30 LED reading lights from Boater's World and they were a major disappointment - their 20 LED lights couldn't compete with an anemic lightning bug. They were returned.

Next I found the LEDs from www.sailboatstuff.com and ordered one six LED unit, added some wire and Marcia and I went out to the garage, held the wires to the battery of the Focus and found that we could easily read a book from at least four feet away.

The other big plus - they only draw milliamps. They are pricey though, but what the heck.

Our Ohio non-winter is in full swing and mid-50's temps through Saturday will allow me to get to work with the West Systems epoxy and mount the bases. Will post pictures when complete.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

John S · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Free cabin lights!

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

John,

I tried the bulbs from www.superbrightleds.com , # 1142-pcb-w36-wv. It's the one with socket #1142. This info was sent to me by Seabran.

He noted that in the main cabin they were too weak for his taste and I concur. He's has them installed in his foward lights, which I tried, but we still didn't like the light directly in our faces, so we made the change.

This particular light is a square piece of plastic with numerous LEDs mounted on it facing downward.

I'm still hoping that the technology will improve and be more affordable for replacement bulbs in the near future. Try pricing LED anchor lights and hold onto your wallet!

Nick
"Valkyrie"

John S · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

Nick,

Thanks, that all I need to hear. 2 out of 2 don't think it's bright enough. I'll save my money. It sounded to good to be true, but I was hopeful.
I think I'm going to start using them on my trailers though as lights need replaced.

Thanks,
John