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There are lots of LED bulbs that will fit in the overhead fixtures, but the problem is to find one that gives off enough light. The halogen bulbs that are used currently have the advantage of being a lower colour temp than most LEDs, and they benefit from the diffusing effects of the parabolic reflector in the fixture itself. The bright yet warm light given off by the halogens is pretty hard to beat.

LED's tend to be fairly directional in order to concentrate their light enough to be useful. A bulb with a 40 degree beam pattern is considered wide and many are only around 30 degrees. The light tends to be a little harsh, and because it is farily directional, the shadows tend to be fairly distinct. I have been experimenting with LED's for the past year and a half and I quite literally have a shoebox full of various styles of bulbs. The bulbs for the most part are MR16's and they vary in colour temp from blue white, to a yellow light with a slightly greenish cast, and contain anywhere from 3 to 60 LED elements each.

What I've done is replace the halogen bulbs in fixtures over the sink, the chart table and the forward salon portside with 3 element 40 degree LED's and left the halogens in the fixtures over the table, forward salon center and outside of the aft head. When I'm conserving power, I use the LEDs and when I'm hooked up on shore, I use the halogens. If I really want to go on an energy binge, I turn everything on! The cabin is still pretty bright!

Where the LED's work quite well is in the brass reading light fixtures. I have replaced the G10 bulbs with 36 element, 30 degree beam, warm white MR 16 led's, and they are fine for reading. I also replaced the incandescent bulb in the hurricane style lamp fixture on the salon forward bulkhead with an LED bulb meant for a nav light. The light is very faint, but it makes for an excellent night light, and when we leave the boat in the evenings, we leave that light on, so we don't have to worry about falling down the companionway when we return.

I've heard of many folks who have replaced ALL of their lights with LED's but my eyes aren't quite ready to make the commitment yet. I've just received a new LED bulb from Cruising Solutions that is promising, and I'll report back when I try it out.

Addison

I agree about the customer service from mastlight. I have one of their LED anchor lights and I'm very satisfied.

How do you find the light level and ambiance of the 21 LED mastlight bulbs in the salon?

Addison

pwinterfeld wrote:

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In addition to replacing some of the bulbs with leds (reading lamps in both cabins) I replaced the 7 red night lights that are mounted near the floor with red leds. Now I can leave them on even when under sail (at night of course) They are also completely sealed and will not be affected by moisture as the originals have been. They come as a complete unit and amazingly the mounting holes were an exact fit. Easy 2 brandy job.

Peter
C'est la Vie
Hull #746

Peter can you supply the specifics of the lights you used? Brand, source, price etc.

Thanks

Addison