Beneteau 311 Cabin Lights

[CapitalistSailor]

One of the overhead lights in my Beneteau 311 cabin has burned out. It is a circular halogen light that fits into a 2 5/16" circular hole (58-59 mm). The light is an Aqua Signal 12V, 5W G4 light, model 3109001000. This light sits nearly flush and has a switch.

I would like to replace some of these lights with LED's, if I could find one that fits into the existing holes. So far, I haven't found a good replacement. Can anyone suggest a good replacement?

Thanks in advance

 

[kloudie1]

You may be able to replace the bulb with an LED "bulb" and not replace the fixtures.. I used G-4 disks to replace the bulbs in my cabin fixtures 8-10 years ago and they are still fine. A couple are the red-white disks that are red when first switched on then ya turn it off a second and on again and it is white.. they work great. I used these guys
Search Results | Super Bright LEDs
I have not had any radio interference from the disks that I got from them. Measure carefully .. I had to slightly modify the fixtures to get the disks to fit but it was a matter of bending the socket holders to get the position of the LED correct..

 

[JRacer]

I replaced all of my Aqua Signal fixtures with Marinebeam LED's. See here: LED Boat Lights for Your Sailboat or Motor Yacht, 12V or 24V

 

[CapitalistSailor]

Kloudie1 and JRacer,

These are great recommendations. Thanks. JRacer, have you had any trouble with electrical interference with your supplier? Sometimes LED’s can emit a lot of static, depending on how the bulb’s internal electronics are set up.

I do a lot of night sailing and some overnight sailing. Reducing power consumption down with LEDs would help a lot. I see Marinebeam has some LED navigation lights that are USGC approved and not as outrageously expensive as others I’ve seen.

 

[JRacer]

Kloudie1 and JRacer,

These are great recommendations. Thanks. JRacer, have you had any trouble with electrical interference with your supplier? Sometimes LED’s can emit a lot of static, depending on how the bulb’s internal electronics are set up.

I do a lot of night sailing and some overnight sailing. Reducing power consumption down with LEDs would help a lot. I see Marinebeam has some LED navigation lights that are USGC approved and not as outrageously expensive as others I’ve seen.

No, Marinebeam LEDs have circuitry to prevent that. I think his website has some tech articles about that subject.

I use the LED's that initially come on red and you flip the switch from on to off and on again and they change to white.

 

[CapitalistSailor]

kloudie,

The 2-way LED bulb on the Super Bright LED website shows a big capacitor on the back, so the total thickness is 0.51”, or 33 mm. This thickness is border line to fit in my fixture. Did you have any trouble?

Here’s the link to the replacement bulb I’m looking at:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle-lights/car-boat-light-bulbs/g4-led-bulb-dual-color-bi-pin-led-disc-15w-equivalent-130-lumens+color-Red~~Warm~White

The equivalent light on the Marinebeam site is:

9-LED Dual Color Side Mount Bi Pin G4 | Red/Green/Blue - White

Replacement color changing switchable LED G4 for recessed halogen fixtures 10W equivalent switch between white - soft output and red, green, or blue that replaces bi-pin bulbs found in many common cockpit, recessed, or overhead fixtures in boats, Rv's, and other machinery

store.marinebeam.com

This second bulb costs about twice as much but it’s only 8.5 mm thick.

Perhaps I should just order one of each and see how they work out.

 

[JRacer]

If you haven't yet, I suggest you read the FAQ's on the Marinebeam site. Why Marinebeam? Etc.
I replaced all of my interior OEM fixtures with Marinebeam LED fixtures. Considered just changing out just the "bulbs" but the OEM fixtures were plastic lenses, crazing and just tired, needed to be replaced. Also, as you can see in the previous post, I added several others. Did all of that in about 2013. Never a problem since. I'm a well satisfied customer and I was able to speak with Jeff, the owner, who answered questions I had along the way. Also have a couple of their Long Range Flashlights. Keep one in the boat and one in the truck - can't be beat for spotting unlit bouys coming into the harbor from several hundred yards off.

Not sure you can speak with the people at the other suppliers unless you speak Mandarin.