any good ideas on what light to use, what power source to use and where to place it? Thanks in advance.
Dining light over Catalina 32 cockpit.
- Thread starter Ted10028
- Start date
If you have a bimini and frame, you could get a battery-operated LED lantern and hang from the frame.
I would rather have a permanent installation but a hanging camping light or tent light would certainly work im sure. i'm thinking the best source of electricity would be the pedestal where all the instruments are and then maybe I could attach a light to the 1 1/4 inch railing around the instruments?
I will look around but I have never seen one. it seems the pedestal instrument cluster is the best source of electricity I'm going to find.
You probably don't want to tap into the 12v wires to the instruments. Is there enough room in the pedestal to run additional wires to provide a power source (12v plug/USB/etc.) for the light you want to install?
are you suggesting I run a new wire from the circuit breaker box? I tried that once and did not find an easy way to pull the wire through the boat that far
We use one of these hung from the bimini bow.. works well.
Amazon.com: MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Lantern, 75 Lumens, Clear Finish with White LEDs, Lasts Up to 24 hrs, Waterproof, Camping, Backpacking, Travel and Emergency Kits : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Lantern, 75 Lumens, Clear Finish with White LEDs, Lasts Up to 24 hrs, Waterproof, Camping, Backpacking, Travel and Emergency Kits : Sports & Outdoors
After trying a few I found this one that I like a lot:
Features:
Rechargeable
Doubles as a power bank (i.e. for charging a phone)
Three shade of white (I like warm white)
Can be dimmed waaayy down for that soft romantic glow
Sits on a table or hangs from the flip-up hook
Magnetic base
SOS mode
Features:
Rechargeable
Doubles as a power bank (i.e. for charging a phone)
Three shade of white (I like warm white)
Can be dimmed waaayy down for that soft romantic glow
Sits on a table or hangs from the flip-up hook
Magnetic base
SOS mode
OK I guess there's no point in making this a more complicated project that needs to be. I ordered a light from Amazon. Thanks for the help guys!
What kind of instruments are they? If they're just NMEA-2000 / Seatalk-NG units there might not be usable 12V there; the NMEA cables provide power and data together for instruments and sensors.
Continuing in my Luddite ways, the Mrs and I always enjoyed the flickering warm light of a kerosene lantern in the cockpit for dinner - like candle light.
May be too late, but I bought 2 of these and don't regret it. They are a great addition anywhere on the boat. Charges from a USB port. The snap on tube fitting is ultra secure and makes adjustment functional. I use them anyplace I want an area lit up, which is really helpful when working in dimly lit spaces.
www.catalinadirect.com
It is multi-function and has a red light option to preserve night vision.
Cockpit Light Snap On for 1" Tubing
Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country
www.catalinadirect.com
It is multi-function and has a red light option to preserve night vision.
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