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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

LED Cabin lights

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sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/13/2013 : 10:35:30

Last year we installed two LED lights, one in the quarter berth and one in the head, obtained from Catalina Direct. The one in the head now seems dimmer than when originally installed. Soooo if I wanted to replace the two cabin lamps on the port side what recommendation does this august forum make?

In the continuing saga of "Chariots of Fire" restoration my son John and I recently got the nav lights working, rewired the switch panel and installed all new switches with functioning built in indicator lights. Interestingly enough, when the cleaning of the original bow nav light sockets failed to make them operational we found the identical replacement at our local West Bay Auto store. The identical replacement switches were also purchased at West Bay. Who knew.

Also, the Force 10 bulkhead heater when polished looks brandy new.

Merry Christmas to all.

Mike

Mike
Chariots of Fire
1981 Cat-25. sail number 2230
SR/SK Dinette Version

Edited by - on

Dan Greer
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2013 : 00:16:02

I've used these economy lights from West Marine. They put out a good light. The only problem I've noticed is that they seem to attract flying insects MUCH more than any other light.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=99391&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50523&subdeptNum=50573&classNum=50578

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2013 : 11:24:48

I've been very happy with these 5.5" lights: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=8975153#.Uq3zPH-9KSM

bright, even light in white and red and 3 - 4 years old.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 12/15/2013 11:27:39

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2013 : 11:30:42

I'm a fan of these lights:
http://www.lumiteclighting.com/products/recreational-marine/interior-lights/dome-lights/aurora

They dim nicely, can be purchased in white only or red and white, and are compact and flush mount nicely. I have 5 of them on my boat, 3 red/white and 2 white/only. You can get them with stainless steel or white trim.

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2013 : 12:30:25

I have been wanting to go LED for awhile.
Is it necessary to replace the fixture or is there an LED lamp that fits our existing fixtures?

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2013 : 18:05:01

There are LED bulbs from a number of manufacturers that will fit the existing fixtures. Look for ones that have an onboard regulator that handles 8-30V (or a wide range like that) for the best performance. Many car-oriented ones have a very simple regulator that only works well at 14V and will result in a dim light when the voltage drops.

If your boat is 30 years old (about the average age of a Catalina 25) then the factory fixtures are pretty tired and an upgrade might be worth it.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2013 : 18:19:32

I replaced bulbs in the original fixtures initially, still have two, but the old, yellowed, translucent plastic filters to much light. I also had to reverse the leads to the fixture.

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2013 : 04:46:56

I replaced all the interior lights with the ones from Catalina Direct. One of them went bad quickly. I found an identical replacement at the local RV store. What I have found when we are spending the nights on the boat I hang a Coleman LED lantern from the bimini until we retire to the salon than hang it from the pop top support. Gives very good all around light. Has two brightness settings.

http://www.basspro.com/Coleman-CPX-6-Work-Lantern/product/10210490/

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2013 : 08:30:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hewebb
 I hang a Coleman LED lantern from the bimini until we retire to the salon than hang it from the pop top support. Gives very good all around light. Has two brightness settings.

http://www.basspro.com/Coleman-CPX-6-Work-Lantern/product/10210490/

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

Nice! looks like it will hang via the strap over the boom.

Paul

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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2013 : 10:34:12

I used sea sense LED's for Moe:
http://www.iboats.com/LED-Surface-Mount-Accent-Light/dm/cart_id.693751248--session_id.736829710--view_id.56505 They are categorized as accent lights but worked well in such a small cabin. Cut away the old, spliced directly in to the old wiring, tadaa. Self-contained switch, and they are available as red/white of white only. look good, and inexpensive solution.

Edited by - Ape-X on 12/16/2013 10:35:03

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2013 : 06:21:55

In my experience the West Marine economical red/white LED lights are just not that bright. Like in the front berth, I think they work fine in such a small space it you have one mounted on either side. Using two gives you a nice coverage of light, without blinding you.

One is just not that bright.

I had 5 in my main cabin and still ended up adding a brighter light over the galley, the mars light. A really great light but expensive.

The red/white lights work great, but it is no discount to have to add that many lights.

Edited by - redeye on 12/17/2013 14:13:14

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 21:13:33

Internal lighting is largely a matter of taste. I loved the look of the incandescent fixtures, but they were power hogs. I did the following and it works for me:
I replaced the incandescent bulb in the quarterberth fixture with a LED bulb. I added a second fixture halfway down the quarterberth as a reading light at night. I replaced the port and starboard settee lights (amidships) with Dr LED Mars fixtures - they are pricey but excellent. In the head I replaced the bulb with a LED.
In the galley, I did not replace the fixture, but I added three 12VDC hockey puck LED lights overhead that I bought at Lowes. They have a built-in voltage regulator.
Finally I bought a Coleman LED fixture that comes with a 6VDC rechargeable battery. See [url="http://www.coleman.com/product/cpx-6-rugged-xl-lantern/2000009459?contextCategory=10451#.Urut_SW9LTo"] here[/url]. I hang it in the cockpit at anchor or from the pop top bracket as needed. Very bright.
All in all, the variety of lighting provides a number of comfortable options depending on the desired mood. LEDs definitely save power, and can provide a similar ambience and utility. But nothing beats the warmth of those old power hogs.

Edited by - Voyager on 12/25/2013 21:21:16

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