Interior light conversion to LEDs - Any issues

[Clutch Cargo]

I've finally started spending nights on the boat and noticed that the interior lights are still incandescent. I've looked on various forums regarding changing the bulbs to LEDs and also wanted to get input from this one. I also haven't taken one of the fixtures apart yet. Any problems/concerns/sources/tips/tricks? Also, what about the light which has the red/white switch. Any input will be appreciated.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Just do it. No big deal. I think most LED's for lighting today are warm white. You can match tungsten to LED bulbs using a chart which the chandelry section of this site offers.

 

[Stu Jackson]

www.marinebeam.com should tell you all you need to know, a great resource.

 

[SailingCal21]

If you can, I suggest that you also look into changing the fixtures as well. The LED replacement bulbs are fine, but you'll get better service by installing a fixture that's made for LEDs. You can also get red/white bulbs and fixtures.

 

[Tally Ho]

I have 8 cabin lights that use this type of bulb…

BlyilyB 6-Pack BA15D 1142 1004 Non-Polarity Warm White LED Bulbs Replacement Lamps DC 12V Interior RV Camper Trailer Lighting Boat Yard Light Tail Bulbs https://a.co/d/jfOV0yG

The first batch I bought were bright white, and I did not like them…so I bought these warm white ones, and they are very nice. I bought a second batch so I could complete all 8 with the warm white bulbs.

And the power consumption vs incandescent is incredible.

I have had zero issues with these cheap LED bulbs.

Greg

 

[Alan Gomes]

www.marinebeam.com should tell you all you need to know, a great resource.

One issue to keep in mind is EMI/RFI. I had some cheap LEDs and they spewed out all kinds of noise on my VHF. I replaced them with some that I purchased from marinebeam that were specifically rated for no EMI.

You can test it out by putting your VHF on a quiet channel, turn down the squelch, and see if the noise level changes when you switch the light on and off.

 

[jviss]

You can also get red/white bulbs and fixtures.

Can you please point me to those?

 

[SailingCal21]

Can you please point me to those?

Got mine a few years back from sailorsams.com.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Can you please point me to those?

Gee , have you missed things since you've been away? I gave you a link to marinebeam, have you bothered to click on that company's website? They have dual color fixtures, if you'd bothered to look. Sorry, not gonna do your homework for you anymore. And please don't go all "Stu's being nasty to me again" stuff. I'm just suggesting you take advantage of what you've already been given.

 

[jviss]

1. I didn't know Marinebeam was a connection to dual-color lights;
2. I never asked you to "do my homework" for me;
3. I needn't point out that you are being nasty, that's self evident.

 

[jviss]

Got mine a few years back from sailorsams.com.

Thank you!

 

[Dave]

Gentlemen, let's dial down the tone of the conversation. We don't need to go there.

Thank you.

 

[StanleyJ]

I probably used the same ones that Greg used on Tally Ho and have had zero issues. Just make sure that you get warm white ones. I purchased some on eBay that were too bright.

 

[jviss]

I converted to LED for house lights, using bulbs that replaced halogens. I bought El-Cheapo brand, I think, but tested them for RF and found no issues. Warm white, for sure, I don't care for the brighter, bluer type.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Find out the bulb type/model. Look on amazon for an LED replacement with the desired color temp. RF issues are pretty rare these days, even for Chinese LED's

 

[D Swanson]

In updating from incandescent to LED on my 1981 boat I have a couple helpful thoughts you might consider.
1. Trying to source equivalent LED bulbs using the ancient letter/number code printed on vintage bulbs can be tricky. Instead I measured bases using a mm caliper and was able to match up suitable replacements using schematics provided by on line retailers.
2. Some bulbs have one, others have 2 contacts on the base. 2 Contact bulbs are usually not polarity sensitive.
3. Some single contact bulbs are polarity sensitive.... which led (no pun intended) me to discovering at least one of my cabin light fixtures that was wired in reverse (incad. bulb worked fine but not the LED). Reversed the wiring and was all good.
4. The two sources I used were Marinebeam.com and superbrightleds.com.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Find out the bulb type/model. Look on amazon for an LED replacement with the desired color temp. RF issues are pretty rare these days, even for Chinese LED's

Not saying you are wrong, but I would be curious to know the basis for that statement.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Not saying you are wrong, but I would be curious to know the basis for that statement.

I work with a lot of Chinese LED's and retrofitted my own boat. I do a fair amount of installs with LED tape, Chinese stage lighting, etc. Older, low quality, LED's were more prone to noise issues but circuit design quality has increased overall in more recent years. I presume price of components went down so they were able to maintain a profit while using the parts necessary to reduce secondary side effects such as EMF and whatnot.

If you find that your LED's do emit noise or EMF, amazon has free returns

 

[Alan Gomes]

FWIW, I just got this in my email: Dr. LED Lighting Sale (campaign-archive.com)

 

[Arrgh]

I've done both, changed just the bulbs and changed the entire fixture. Both worked fine. Got the bulbs at the boat show a few years back, there was a booth with a guy just selling led bulb replacements. I got the fixture from west marine.