More on LED's

[Mr. Sandman]

Over the season I have installed and tested a bunch of different LED fixtures as well as tried several of the replacement bulbs.

I don't know if you have done the same but for those who have not, maybe someone can learn something from my experiences.

Basically, I ordered one of each type and size of bulb and tested them out to see what I think, then if I liked them I ordered the full amount I needed.

I tried the real expensive ones sold at marine distributed as well as the lest expensive ones I could find on the net.

Bottom line...if your fixtures are in good shape (ie no corrosion issues) I would replace the bulb with the least expensive LED replacement. (about $8-11) I have a lot of G4 sockets (twin wire prongs) and I was able to replace the small halogen bulbs with a LED array. The round ones went in the ceiling fixtures and work GREAT!! They don't burn any power and do not get hot and are as bright or brighter than halogens. The other interior dome lights I also replaced with a barrel type G4 LED bulb. I was able to squeeze in the larger size in the smaller domes by slightly trimming the prongs. These are brighter than the original..again 1/10 the power drain and NO HEAT!
I looked into replacing stern and bow light bulbs as well and that is doable but you have to be careful. You need a USCG approved bulb that can be seen out 2 + miles. These LED's are out there but are tricky to find and are more expensive $30+ I bought the bulbs and they work but I ended up replacing the entire unit with an approved LED light from Attwood. This was only slightly more than the bulb itself (38 bucks each).

I have now just about replaced all the lights on the boat with LED' and added a a few other strips in the cockpit.

IMO this is a good ideal. The standard marine dome lights are a waste of power, can kill any battery if left over night, get WAY too hot for a marine application, have a very short lifespan and are not all that cheap. LED's are way more efficient at providing light and if you leave a light on it is no biggy, they last much longer and don't require much in the way of power.

I still have a few bulbs to replace (the red one over the console) , a couple others but for the most part most of my lighting is now LED.


A good source for LED replacement lights:
Defender
Amazon
LED wholesalers

a few leftovers and spare LEDs...