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LED Anchor Light

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2007 : 20:34:00

I'm going to get a Davis Mega-light for the anchor light. I have been cruising forums and read some good things about it. Plus it has the auto-off feature and Davis is a company that I trust. When I get it in and on I'll post the results.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2007 : 21:36:14

Tom wood from sailnet had this observation:

The Davis Mega-Light

Simple and handy, the Mega-Light from Davis

I will never forget the night many years ago when we lost our boat. We’d followed the cruiser’s custom of sundowners on a neighboring vessel and got carried away in the depths of good friendship, good conversation, and a great sunset. When the good-byes were finally said, it was pitch black. The vessel we visited had been directly abeam of us when we arrived, so off we went in the dinghy among the hundreds of boats in the anchorage.

What we hadn’t noticed was the wind switch that caused all the boats to turn. Without a flashlight, and with precious few anchor lights to guide us, we would practically bump into a hull before we could see it. We idled into a blind mangrove alley before we realized there were no more boats, and then nearly ran onto the beach in the other direction. An hour later, low on both dinghy gas and patience, we finally found our wayward floating home happily bobbing in the midst of the black shapes.

We didn’t have the electrical juice to run our 1.5-amp anchor light for long. So with typical cruiser ingenuity, we took an indicator lamp and socket, the lens from a powerboat stern-light pole, a broken rubber-armored flashlight, a piece of lamp cord, and some duct tape, making a 12-volt hanging light that drew a measly two watts. It gave off a cheery glow in the cockpit for entertaining and, best of all, we could turn it on in mid-afternoon if we thought we might be back after dark without fearing dead batteries on our arrival home. The thing looked like a Rube Goldberg reject, but it worked for years and saw us through two more boats.

The first time we saw the Davis Mega-Light, we bought three after cursing ourselves for not having perfected and patented our low-draw cockpit light—we were obviously years ahead of our time. Granted, the Mega-Light looks a lot better than ours ever did—and it has a lot more features too. The best thing about it is the power consumption. At 0.074 amps (about 0.9 watts), the Mega-Light can run 12 hours on about one amp-hour of 12-volt power. And because of its waterproof Fresnel lens, this little light can be seen for up to two miles.

The Davis Mega-Light has more subtle features too. The top of the lens is clear so that when it is hung upside-down, a small circle of better light is available for reading. The bulb is easily replaceable, and the 15-foot long cord has a cigarette-lighter plug at the end that incorporates a standard automotive fuse. All of our lights came with a little triangular hanging bracket that we seem to have misplaced, but they are so lightweight that a clothespin hangs them just fine under the bimini top.

But I saved the best feature for last. The Davis Mega-Light has a photo sensor that turns the light on and off automatically—on at dusk, off at dawn. So now we can hang one in the cockpit before we leave the boat, and it comes on of its own volition when the sun gets low. We like this from a security standpoint as it makes it appear as if someone is on the boat. And it saves power.

The Mega-Light actually comes in three versions. The original model, now called a "Utility," has no provision for mounting. The identical light with an L-shaped stainless steel bracket and a 12-inch pigtail for wiring directly into the ship’s power instead of a portable cord is named the "Masthead." Although Davis claims a two-mile visibility, which would be legal as an anchor light on most vessels, the Mega-Light is nowhere near as bright as a standard anchor light. We have a Masthead model mounted in the interior as a security light at our stairway with a switch to turn it off when it is not wanted.

The third version is called the "Ultimate Cockpit Light" and it is indeed the ultimate in nautical gadgetry. It has the standard 15-foot cord, cigarette-lighter plug, and triangular hanger, but the Ultimate has two bulbs, a red LED, a yellow LED, and switches for six different lighting modes. Choices include one steady white light at the standard 0.074 amp draw or two bulbs at double the power consumption and light output, a steady red light, a blinking red, a steady or blinking yellow, and alternating red and yellow blinkers.

I suppose that in a harbor full of other boats with Davis Ultimate Cockpit lights, we could tailor our blinking pattern so that we could always find our boat in the dark—one white with a yellow blinker means it’s Tuesday. But until they become that popular, we’ll probably just stick with the plain-vanilla $35 Utility model.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2007 : 22:22:07

Neat! I'm gonna get the untility light!

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2007 : 16:51:09

Just some more research:

When we pulled the mast on Ganesha last year we added a Davis Mega-Light ... only draws .074 amps per hour and is auto on/off. (Actually they are not LED but a very small incandescent bulb, looks like what we used to refer to as "grain of wheat" bulb used in scenery on model railroads. I believe a bulb like this when used with very low current has an extremely long life.)

I highly recommend it , but with some caveats.

It is not very bright - claims by the manufacturer aside; however it is much better than nothing. It does draw next to nothing with regards to power consumption.

Because of the these factors we also installed a new tricolor/anchor/strobe from Aqua Signal at the masthead. If we are in a heavy-traffic area where we really feel the need to make our presence known, we use the main anchor light, or where the small light could be easily "lost" such as in anchorages where there are a fair number of lights on the shore. In "deserted" anchorages we use just the small Davis light. We also use the Davis light when we go ashore during the day. That way we know at least some anchor light will come on when it gets dark and we haven't gotten back to the boat.

==============================================================

Here is another:

The instructions don't tell you which bulb is which ! 1893 is the "bright" bulb; 1892 is the "energy-efficient" bulb.

The packaging is deceptive: they never say whether it is an approved anchor light; they call it a "masthead" light. They told me: both bulbs are 2 NM visibility, but one or both doesn't meet the candlepower requirement, so the light is unapproved. I installed it as an anchor light anyway.

Over the next several years, I went through four of these fixtures; the photo-cell circuit keeps dying ! Heard from at least one other boat that's had similar problems with them. Don't buy them; they're crap.

After climbing the mast a dozen or more times to fix the anchor light, I've decided to remove it entirely from the mast and put it down lower (hanging from the boom, or on top of the pilothouse).

============================================================

turk said:

I am beginning to have mixed feelings about this one. That is why I like the idea of keeping the sturdier Hella light fixture and retrofitting it with an LED bulb. My Ebay bulb is on the way!

Edited by - Turk on 04/13/2007 16:53:52

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2007 : 17:46:52

Turk, I agree with you, I believe I would try that $7 led first.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2007 : 19:38:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tompotter
 Turk, I agree with you, I believe I would try that $7 led first.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

or those with Aqua signal this really looks good! It's a retrofit for $42 and if you want the photocell and "flashing" add the additional layer. Aqua Signal 20, 25, 40

http://www.stecktronics.com/anchor.html

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2007 : 19:49:33

My feeling is that one can hoist a flashlight up the mast to act as an anchor light. CG may not approve of it, but if it's all you got - you're kinda legal (from my reading). If you are in a heavy traffic area - spend some money and get a bright solution. If your on a inland lake like me, I think the $7 24 led bulb will do the trick. Shut off at sunrise? If I forget, it will only run for about what? 147 days? I understand that some of the light sensors actually use power to do their thing so maybe it defeats the shutoff feature all together. Just leave it on!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2007 : 21:06:46

Well, my mega-light purchase is on hold until Turk gets his LED and sees if it fits the Hella fixture.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2007 : 21:56:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Well, my mega-light purchase is on hold until Turk gets his LED and sees if it fits the Hella fixture.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's probably a good decision. Bulb might be here Monday or tuesday. I will report back.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2007 : 09:51:19

Turk, check out this Aussie site. Is the bulb from e-bay like this? Read what it says about the yellow dot in the LED. I wonder if there is anything to it.

http://www.ledshoponline.com/FLUX_masthead_lights.htm

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2007 : 11:05:51

I saw that bulb awhile back. The $40 wasn't so bad, but you add the shipping from aussitown and it got expensive. The bulb on Ebay does look the same. It is a high flux (yellow dot) bulb. I'm guessing the aussi gets them from here and sells them over there.

The design, especially on top, looks the same.

Edited by - Turk on 04/14/2007 11:06:33

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2007 : 15:24:11

Well, the bulb is here (ebay bulb) and it looks very promising. I connected it to my battery and WoW! It is very bright. Plenty bright for my purposes. My boat is in my pole barn 25 miles from my house so I won't be able to fit it in the fixture until tomorrow. I hope it is not too long.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2007 : 18:45:14

I just got my anchor led from drled.com
its a series 40 . My anchor light is a socket so I hope this fits it looks close . It draws .09 A

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 05:19:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by SEAN
 I just got my anchor led from drled.com
its a series 40 . My anchor light is a socket so I hope this fits it looks close . It draws .09 A

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">http://www.doctorled.com/

Sorry, don't mean to offend you by correcting you, but the link above is the correct link for the bulb you bought.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 12:22:21

thanks I bought two lights ,
one from Catalina owners site .Its been cold and rainy here I`ve been on the computer a lot .and cant remember all the sits.

Any way mine didn't fit its the right size socket but a double connector on the bottom (the original is a single) .and the pins on the side are different.

there's no phone number on the box so ,
you know the rest hope I get it in time !

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 15:35:40

OK, here is the skinny. I received my light yesterday and it looks plenty bright. I took it out to the boat this morning and gave it a try in my HellaMarine mast anchor light. Out of the box, it does NOT fit. This is the same bulb sold on the Australian site for $40. It has the yellow marked LED's. They are very bright. On their site it says that some customers file off the top 4 LEDs. Well, for $7.00 I figure I would give it a try.

Clip the leads to the individual LEDS on the top with a pair of snips. Clean up the top by cutting off all metal leads. Make sure each pair of leads do not touch. I then used a file to wear off the sharp points left by the cut leads. It now fits just fine under the Hella clear cap. Some may say that not having the LEDs on the top cut down in visibility by plane. The OGM anchor light has nothing on the top either. Remember, most LED lights including this one, have a polarity. If they don't come on try switching the wiring, preferable before you put up the mast.

This light will work just fine for our boats.

This image from the ad:

Edited by - Turk on 04/17/2007 15:36:34

CapnEddy
1st Mate

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USA
25 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 16:37:39

I ordered the Series 25 LED anchor light from Dr.LED last Thursday and it arrived yesterday (Monday). Snapped right in - nice and bright!

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 17:25:52

Turk,
Glad that LED Bulb worked out for you. You think the top part where you removed the upper LED's needs to be sealed some how? Maybe a thin coat of epoxy.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 18:17:44

Turk, which exact bulb did you order from the ebay site? What # is it?

You da man!

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 18:27:29

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hello

This is the bulb:

1156 Super Bright White 28 Flux Led Bulb 1141 1073 5007

The 1156 represents the single contact on bottom and two poles on either side across from each other - not staggered.

Here is the Ebay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/US-Home-Direct

Cost is $7.99 (Great price!)

As for epoxying the top, it really doesn't need it. The leads you are cutting come through the circuit board and are soldered. They are sealed already.

Edited by - Turk on 04/17/2007 18:27:47

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 19:12:48

Turk, your mission - should you decide to accept it - is to find low cost LED bulbs for all the nav lights on the Hella-equipped C250s. That would be the stern light, the bow light and the steaming light half-way up the mast. As always, should you be captured during your mission, this forum will deny any knowledge of your existence.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 19:33:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Turk, your mission - should you decide to accept it - is to find low cost LED bulbs for all the nav lights on the Hella-equipped C250s. That would be the stern light, the bow light and the steaming light half-way up the mast. As always, should you be captured during your mission, this forum will deny any knowledge of your existence.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

PPPHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhiffffffffff!

I'll accept that mission seeing as I've already started!

The Bow and stern light and steaming light use one 1.25 festoon each. That is the bad news. I have festoon lights in my cabin lights and they are very directional. Not good for either bow or stern. I will look into it. Maybe the 28 led bulb can be retrofitted to these lights.

Will report back!

Edited by - Turk on 04/17/2007 19:35:35

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 09:22:26

Thanks Tom that will fit my anchor light,
I will give it a try .I havent heard back from DR LED yet ,
they work out of a post office box and email only .
may be Ill have to call mastercard for a return .

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2007 : 21:31:29

Im not haveing much luck with the anchor light,

I orderd the australian one and that one is to tall,
even with the lights cut off the top !

I can get the lens on but can not turn and lock it in .
Maybe tapeing the lens on ?

BTW Dr LED made the return they were at a boat show

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2007 : 22:56:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by SEAN
 Im not haveing much luck with the anchor light,

I orderd the australian one and that one is to tall,
even with the lights cut off the top !

I can get the lens on but can not turn and lock it in .
Maybe tapeing the lens on ?

BTW Dr LED made the return they were at a boat show
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sorry to hear that it did not fit. For the better though. The one on ebay appears to be the same. I'm wondering how you discovered it would not fit? Did you cut the bulbs off the top and they still took it back as a return?

On another note, I just emailed a company on a new type of LED to use on our Hella Bow navigation lights. I'm looking into the new luxor stars that put out 46 watts of light. They also have a smaller version that may also work that uses even less power. I may build some prototype boards that will fit in the fixture just to see what I can come up with. Stock automobile 12v LED bulbs just are not right for our needs. Let me explore a bit, I will come up with something.

Edited by - on

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