Switching to LEDs bulbs

[prroots]

On my Beneteau 411, I would like to switch to LED bulbs using my existing fixtures where possible. First I would like to switch the overhead lights since they are so numerous. I determined that the bulb is an Ancor 529361 (G4 BI-PIN Base, 12V, 5W, 0.42A, 5CP). Has anyone found a way to switch to LED bulbs? The fixtures are very low profile which would make it seem difficult. Suggestions appreciated
Pete

 

[Jackdaw]

Every week this comes up....

http://store.marinebeam.com/g4ledbu6smdp.html

Theses are bright, white, and very good quality. We use them on both our boats. You should also look at the white/red switchable ones. Very good for Nav and staterooms.

 

[prroots]

Every week this comes up....

http://store.marinebeam.com/g4ledbu6smdp.html

Theses are bright, white, and very good quality. We use them on both our boats. You should also look at the white/red switchable ones. Very good for Nav and staterooms.

Thanks. I've seen several different brands. Why do you recommend that one? Also I see that it's 1.5 watts compared to the Halogen at 5 watts. That's about a 3:1 power reduction. I was hoping for a bit more?
Pete

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks. I've seen several different brands. Why do you recommend that one? Also I see that it's 1.5 watts compared to the Halogen at 5 watts. That's about a 3:1 power reduction. I was hoping for a bit more?
Pete

Hi. I've used them and they are very good quality. Lifetime Warrentee. And on board power regulation.

Re the halogens, are you SURE only 5 watts? Most I've seen run an amp or so (10-14 watts)

 

[Gunni]

Thanks. I've seen several different brands. Why do you recommend that one? Also I see that it's 1.5 watts compared to the Halogen at 5 watts. That's about a 3:1 power reduction. I was hoping for a bit more?
Pete

4x the light for 1/3 the amount of power of your 5w. This one will fit your fixture and give you 0.6w red too.
http://store.marinebeam.com/g4-led-replacement-bulb-red-warm-white.html

 

[prroots]

Hi. I've used them and they are very good quality. Lifetime Warrentee. And on board power regulation.

Re the halogens, are you SURE only 5 watts? Most I've seen run an amp or so (10-14 watts)

Thanks. I just tested them with my Victron BMV-600 battery monitor as follows:

Measure current draw with salon lights breaker on and off :

(2.80A - 0.43A)/6 bulbs = 2.37A/6 bulbs = 0.395A/bulb
​

Calculate wattage:

0.395A * 12.24V = 4.8 watts/bulb
​

 

[prroots]

4x the light for 1/3 the amount of power of your 5w. This one will fit your fixture and give you 0.6w red too.
http://store.marinebeam.com/g4-led-replacement-bulb-red-warm-white.html

Thanks. Since you have the same boat, where do those bulbs fit? In the salon we have 6 fixtures with silver-colored frame and convex lens. In the heads, forward stateroom, and quarter birth we have a different fixture with flat lens and white frame.
Pete

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks. I just tested them with my Victron BMV-600 battery monitor as follows:

Measure current draw with salon lights breaker on and off :

(2.80A - 0.43A)/6 bulbs = 2.37A/6 bulbs = 0.395A/bulb
​

Calculate wattage:

0.395A * 12.24V = 4.8 watts/bulb
​

math looks solid to me!

 

[prroots]

These are sure tempting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-G4-6...831?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6b98e2df

Has anyone tried something comparable? I know from what I've read so far that they are almost certainly resistive and not regulated. I wonder what the real world differences will be. If they only last a few years it could still be worth it given the price difference
Pete

 

[BillyK]

$1.49 and free shipping? Who cares, order a few and try them out.. That's a no brainer.

 

[Roger Long]

I know from what I've read so far that they are almost certainly resistive and not regulated. I wonder what the real world will be.

When LED's were first coming on the market but not common in marine stores, I went to Home Depot and bought cheap LED light fixtures and removed the "bulb" units. My boat has light fixtures with lots of room inside so I just drilled and tapped the aluminum bases to install them. I left one of the original bulbs in each fixture for when I wanted brighter light

Knowledgeable people here assured me that the LED's would die a quick death because of voltage variations in the boat system and because the LED's were designed to work off the constant voltage of the plug in cube power supply and not regulated.

Last year, I replaced all of the remaining incandescent bulbs with Ancor LED "bulbs". To date, not one of the Home Depot unregulated units has failed.

Guess which ones are failing?

 

[prroots]

$1.49 and free shipping? Who cares, order a few and try them out.. That's a no brainer.

Thanks. That's a problem due to the delivery time. If we were to order them, wait for delivery, and then determine that they weren't satisfactory, we might no longer have time to order something else before we wish to go cruising. That's why we hope to take advantage of others' experiences and make the best, most cost effective choice.
Pete

 

[prroots]

Thanks, interesting Anyone have any real world experience with the Chinese ones selling on eBay?
Pete

 

[Bruce J]

I ordered some from China last year to replace all of the halogen on board, a total of thirteen bulbs. They have been used a lot and give good light but not as bright as the halogen. There is no comparison in the power draw. I can have nine of the led's on an use the same power as one halogen. Make sure you order extra bulbs as some of the ones I received were more yellow than white. I believe I ordered twenty to get thirteen good ones.

 

[joker460]

prroots

See my thread from last year.

http://forums.beneteau.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=128553&highlight=joker460

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

I ordered some from China last year to replace all of the halogen on board, a total of thirteen bulbs. They have been used a lot and give good light but not as bright as the halogen. There is no comparison in the power draw. I can have nine of the led's on an use the same power as one halogen. Make sure you order extra bulbs as some of the ones I received were more yellow than white. I believe I ordered twenty to get thirteen good ones.

+1. I have been using them for at least a year and a half now. No problems so far. And yes I bought plenty (probably 20-35) because some are warm white and some are a bit blewish. The last ones were with lots of leds (15 if I remember well) and had more or less same light as the halogen. Consumption is minimal (5 leds equivalent to one halogen).

 

[prroots]

As an update and thanks to Jon Hacking, I have been in email contact with Bill Deng of Lighting Matrix as recommended in post #85 at:

Mixed Feelings about LED Cabin Lighting
​

Bill has agreed to supply a 6 LED g4 bulb at less than $2 each. It will include PWM regulation with a color temperature of 3000 K. I am waiting for two quotes based on quantity of one (ie, sample) and twenty along with cost of shipping and delivery time. Wish me luck

Pete

 

[Gunni]

Thanks. Since you have the same boat, where do those bulbs fit? In the salon we have 6 fixtures with silver-colored frame and convex lens. In the heads, forward stateroom, and quarter birth we have a different fixture with flat lens and white frame.
Pete

the marinebeam G4 lamps fit all of those overhead lamps.

 

[joker460]

When you get one , please post a photo of the flip side.

I'd be suprised if there is a constant current chip on the led for $1.75.

I may be wrong but it seems too cheap.

Good Luck

 

[prroots]

When you get one , please post a photo of the flip side.

I'd be surprised if there is a constant current chip on the led for $1.75.

I may be wrong but it seems too cheap.

Good Luck

Thanks. I have an excellent recommendation for the reputation of this company (see post #18 above). Without that recommendation, I wouldn't be prepared to take a chance. I even have the data sheet on the PWM chip included.
Pete
PS given the size of the chips, I doubt a pic will convince a doubter