As many are aware, replacing an anchor or steaming light with an LED can prove problematic from an "angle of view" concern. I have provided a link to an LED light that appears to have overcome the "angle of view" problem.
Anchor LED light
- Thread starter rsn48
- Start date
- Status
Not approved but not disapproved either
Why is it ok when people talk about putting an "oil lamp" up a halyard as an anchor light and no one says 'boo' about it not being Colregs approved, but when anyone mentions LED everyone jumps and says its "not approved". COLREGS states- a light shown in the forepart of the vessel where it can best be seen. Rule 30, sections A) and B) (a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen: * (i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball; * (ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light. (b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule. And rule 30, section E) (e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule. Below is a link to a good discussion on LED lights and boats (Pretty interesting they say that "Dr.LED" claims that within the next month they will have Coast Guard approval of these lights when used in Aquasignal fixtures.)
Why is it ok when people talk about putting an "oil lamp" up a halyard as an anchor light and no one says 'boo' about it not being Colregs approved, but when anyone mentions LED everyone jumps and says its "not approved". COLREGS states- a light shown in the forepart of the vessel where it can best be seen. Rule 30, sections A) and B) (a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen: * (i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball; * (ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light. (b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule. And rule 30, section E) (e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule. Below is a link to a good discussion on LED lights and boats (Pretty interesting they say that "Dr.LED" claims that within the next month they will have Coast Guard approval of these lights when used in Aquasignal fixtures.)
Longevity vs cost
Well they cost a lot. I cant believe the "replaces a bulb" type are going to last any longer before the contacts rust than a standard bulb so I still have to go up the mast to fix it. When was the last time you had a standard bulb burn out before it rusted out? If I was paying that kind of money for a lightbulb I'd sure want one that DiD NOT RUST OUT.
Well they cost a lot. I cant believe the "replaces a bulb" type are going to last any longer before the contacts rust than a standard bulb so I still have to go up the mast to fix it. When was the last time you had a standard bulb burn out before it rusted out? If I was paying that kind of money for a lightbulb I'd sure want one that DiD NOT RUST OUT.
coolest anchor light ever
At a boat show I bought a homemade light made by putting a white LED in a crystal salt shaker filled with clear silicone. I installed a cigarette-lighter-type 12v outlet in the speaker pod in the arch, and plug the "chandelier" from the outlet on six inches of cord. It lights up the cockpit, unlike a masthead light, draws almost nothing, and is visible from a mile away in all directions. I use it anytime I'm in an anchorage where full-blown ships would not be able to anchor. Only problem with it is that other cruisers sometimes "mistake" it for a party lite, and end up in my cockpit after dark for a glass of port.
At a boat show I bought a homemade light made by putting a white LED in a crystal salt shaker filled with clear silicone. I installed a cigarette-lighter-type 12v outlet in the speaker pod in the arch, and plug the "chandelier" from the outlet on six inches of cord. It lights up the cockpit, unlike a masthead light, draws almost nothing, and is visible from a mile away in all directions. I use it anytime I'm in an anchorage where full-blown ships would not be able to anchor. Only problem with it is that other cruisers sometimes "mistake" it for a party lite, and end up in my cockpit after dark for a glass of port.
TomS-You missed this important rule.
COLREGS Rule 22 (c) is where the concern about non approved boat navigation lighting arises. No one said "all LED light are not approved". There are some that are. The approved models are excellent products that have been researched, tested, and certified for proper and safe use by the boating community.
COLREGS Rule 22 (c) is where the concern about non approved boat navigation lighting arises. No one said "all LED light are not approved". There are some that are. The approved models are excellent products that have been researched, tested, and certified for proper and safe use by the boating community.
For the Kerosene Anchor light
This light has been used for probably a hundred years as an anchor light; since that is what it was designed for. I bought one for my boat to reduce battery drain when I out for more than a couple of days.
This light has been used for probably a hundred years as an anchor light; since that is what it was designed for. I bought one for my boat to reduce battery drain when I out for more than a couple of days.
That's a great anchor light.
The size of that lamp and the design of the lens makes it ideal. At night you can see it easily at 3 miles. These were used on ships going back more than a hundred years I'll bet. I have a couple of them (only 10" high) that are the exact design of your link, and were purchased on the Bluenose schooner.
The size of that lamp and the design of the lens makes it ideal. At night you can see it easily at 3 miles. These were used on ships going back more than a hundred years I'll bet. I have a couple of them (only 10" high) that are the exact design of your link, and were purchased on the Bluenose schooner.
jimq26 - Point taken
basically what you are responsible to have is a light that can be seen 2 miles away. As you noted some are already approved and if you have an LED lamp that works and can be seen at least 2 miles in all directions then it meets the COLREG requirements There are 2 reasons that more manufacturers of boats don't put LED Nav lights aboard more boats. 1) Cost (this is the big reason) 2) Not certified (as mentioned above). They'd rather put in something already certified so they limit any chance for liabilty in case an accident ever does occur. Even if that does mean a lousy power hungry incadescent bulb Here is an important point people should take away from this discussion. If you had a boat with an incadescent light (regular) bulb and you had an LED light. Which would be brighter if the battery power ran low and was down to 9-10 volts. Answer --> the LED light LED lights stay fairly consistent with changing voltages - an incadescent will dim noticeably Here are a few good LED marine navigation light manufacturers - some with certification already http://www.hellamarine.com/ http://www.orcagreen.com/ http://www.ledshoponline.com/marine_led.htm
basically what you are responsible to have is a light that can be seen 2 miles away. As you noted some are already approved and if you have an LED lamp that works and can be seen at least 2 miles in all directions then it meets the COLREG requirements There are 2 reasons that more manufacturers of boats don't put LED Nav lights aboard more boats. 1) Cost (this is the big reason) 2) Not certified (as mentioned above). They'd rather put in something already certified so they limit any chance for liabilty in case an accident ever does occur. Even if that does mean a lousy power hungry incadescent bulb Here is an important point people should take away from this discussion. If you had a boat with an incadescent light (regular) bulb and you had an LED light. Which would be brighter if the battery power ran low and was down to 9-10 volts. Answer --> the LED light LED lights stay fairly consistent with changing voltages - an incadescent will dim noticeably Here are a few good LED marine navigation light manufacturers - some with certification already http://www.hellamarine.com/ http://www.orcagreen.com/ http://www.ledshoponline.com/marine_led.htm
In all of the places that I anchor the 2 mile
requirement is Moot. There is no line of sight that is 2 mile long. That said I have placed a lighted candle in a jar, on a dark shore and been able to see it from 2 miles. I use a 6 candle power kerosene lantern hung about six feet above my quarter deck. It casts light on my furled sail and mast and standing rigging.
requirement is Moot. There is no line of sight that is 2 mile long. That said I have placed a lighted candle in a jar, on a dark shore and been able to see it from 2 miles. I use a 6 candle power kerosene lantern hung about six feet above my quarter deck. It casts light on my furled sail and mast and standing rigging.
patio lights
Speaking of LED's, some of my fellow sailors are using solar operated common patio lanterns for a stern light when under anchor. The white (not amber) light works well and turns on and off automatically. Although not an anchor light by design, it costs nothing to operate and is a good back-up if your primary anchor light quits while you are sleeping.
Speaking of LED's, some of my fellow sailors are using solar operated common patio lanterns for a stern light when under anchor. The white (not amber) light works well and turns on and off automatically. Although not an anchor light by design, it costs nothing to operate and is a good back-up if your primary anchor light quits while you are sleeping.
What is a stern light under anchor?
Oh - I notice you said you are from Ottawa (Canada's capital). Now I understand. Try to get on the same page as the rest of the world you guys. OK - kidding aside - those are just for illuminating the cockpit and are not to be confused with anchor lights.
Oh - I notice you said you are from Ottawa (Canada's capital). Now I understand. Try to get on the same page as the rest of the world you guys. OK - kidding aside - those are just for illuminating the cockpit and are not to be confused with anchor lights.
Ross what do you clean the soot with?
I know you are just messing with us; no one uses kerosene any more. Its hard to find.
I know you are just messing with us; no one uses kerosene any more. Its hard to find.
Sunshine, I don't know where you live but
in my neighborhood kerosene is sold right next to the diesel fuel. The soot washes away with a little soap and water. And no I am not messing with you, I do use a Kerosene lantern for my anchor light and have for seven years.
in my neighborhood kerosene is sold right next to the diesel fuel. The soot washes away with a little soap and water. And no I am not messing with you, I do use a Kerosene lantern for my anchor light and have for seven years.
Another Paraffin User
I have that same beautiful paraffin oil (kerosene) lamp that rsn48 links to, but it's rather corroded now. Still, with that half-inch thick Fresnel lens (same as in lighthouses: sends a horizontal "ring" of concentrated light out), it's very visible. I light it and run it up my spreader halyard, and will continue to use it until I get around to getting up to my masthead and replacing the anchor light. A filled reservoir of slightly over 1/4 cup will burn in excess of 12 hours with fuel to spare, with proper wick trimming (not a tiny flame, but not huge and smoking). Yes it's old technology, and it works beautifully. It doesn't produce "soot" unless the wick is under-trimmed (huge). The paraffin (aka paraffin oil, kerosene or lamp oil) can be found in any chandelry. Weems & Plath is the brand West Marine carries, if I remember correctly. *** *** *** As to the LED of the original poster, a 30° arc for each bulb means 15 bulbs are needed to overlap each other slighty and get 360° coverage. Seems this is a crude design. A smaller, tighter central cluster of LEDs surrounded by some kind of diffusing lens I think would be more efficient, give a solid 360° ring of coverage, and use less power. LEDs are the wave of the future, but this one seems a little under-designed (though apparently rugged). They're drilling holes in a PVC end cap, shoving in LEDs and a voltage controller, and calling it an invention. No original parts, no manufacturing. I could cobble that together in my garage. If I pay someone else to do it, I don't want it to look as if I made it. Next, the same company will re-wire a box fan and sell them with great pride as wind generators.
I have that same beautiful paraffin oil (kerosene) lamp that rsn48 links to, but it's rather corroded now. Still, with that half-inch thick Fresnel lens (same as in lighthouses: sends a horizontal "ring" of concentrated light out), it's very visible. I light it and run it up my spreader halyard, and will continue to use it until I get around to getting up to my masthead and replacing the anchor light. A filled reservoir of slightly over 1/4 cup will burn in excess of 12 hours with fuel to spare, with proper wick trimming (not a tiny flame, but not huge and smoking). Yes it's old technology, and it works beautifully. It doesn't produce "soot" unless the wick is under-trimmed (huge). The paraffin (aka paraffin oil, kerosene or lamp oil) can be found in any chandelry. Weems & Plath is the brand West Marine carries, if I remember correctly. *** *** *** As to the LED of the original poster, a 30° arc for each bulb means 15 bulbs are needed to overlap each other slighty and get 360° coverage. Seems this is a crude design. A smaller, tighter central cluster of LEDs surrounded by some kind of diffusing lens I think would be more efficient, give a solid 360° ring of coverage, and use less power. LEDs are the wave of the future, but this one seems a little under-designed (though apparently rugged). They're drilling holes in a PVC end cap, shoving in LEDs and a voltage controller, and calling it an invention. No original parts, no manufacturing. I could cobble that together in my garage. If I pay someone else to do it, I don't want it to look as if I made it. Next, the same company will re-wire a box fan and sell them with great pride as wind generators.
jimq26
Yep, we're slowly catching up with the rest of the world
). It's quite popular around the clubs here. As you say, they do a great job lighting up the cockpit. The reason I mentioned them in relation to anchor lights, is that it can act as a back-up in the event yours fails. They can be seen from 360 degrees. Back to whatever page I was on before.....
Yep, we're slowly catching up with the rest of the world
). It's quite popular around the clubs here. As you say, they do a great job lighting up the cockpit. The reason I mentioned them in relation to anchor lights, is that it can act as a back-up in the event yours fails. They can be seen from 360 degrees. Back to whatever page I was on before.....- Status