Bulbs for Catalina 22 Cabin Lights

[Leeward Rail]

Good Morning all !

Next year I want to replace all the cabin lights with LEDs.
In the meantime I need some replacement bulbs.

The "Reflect-o-light #520" fixtures in the cabin saw they use #93 bulbs.
I can't seem to find #93 bulbs locally


Looking at the specs the #93 bulb uses a BA15s base, just like the 1156 (common for automotive use) and the 1003.

Here's a comparison of common incandescent bulbs that use the same BA15 base:

Bulb #1003
Amps: .94 Volts: 12.8 Watts: 12.0 Candlepower: 15 Lifespan: 200 hrs

Bulb: #93
Amps: 1.04 Volts: 12.8 Watts: 13.3 Candlepower: 15 Life: 500hrs

Bulb: #1141
Amps: 1.44 Volts: 12.8 Watts: 18.4 Candlepower: 21 Life: 1000hrs

Bulb: #1073
Amps: 1.80 Volts: 12.0 Watts: 23.0 Candlepower: 32 Life: 200hrs

Bulb: #1156
Amps: 2.1 Volts: 12.0 Watts: 26.9 Candlepower: 32 Life: 1200hrs



Looking at those numbers the 1003 would make a good alternative to the #93 since it uses less power with same light output.
On the other hand the 1141 looks like a good option since has a long life, and uses slightly more power for more light output.
I'm assuming that the 1156 bulbs can't be used because they would damage/melt the plastic lens/fixture.

Question: Which incandescent bulbs are you using in the original Catalina fixtures ?


Cheers,
Roy


BTW: This forum software sucks. It strips extra spaces so you can't format pages the way you would like.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Go to www.marinebeam.com and look around on their site, they have a very good lamp comparison table.

Rarely do ANY internet forum layouts allow tables for for spacing. Sorry, it's a reality. This site does NOT suck. Your information came across just fine. No need to complain.

This site is GREAT.

 

[Joe]

BTW: This forum software sucks. It strips extra spaces so you can't format pages the way you would like.

Take it easy, Cowboy.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Go to www.marinebeam.com and look around on their site, they have a very good lamp comparison table.

Rarely do ANY internet forum layouts allow tables for for spacing. Sorry, it's a reality. This site does NOT suck. Your information came across just fine. No need to complain.

This site is GREAT.

Thanks for the link to marinebeam.com. I'll keep it in mind when I make the switch to LEDS next year when I upgrade my electrical system.
Unfortunately that site only appears to have LEDs, and my question was about incandescent bulbs.

For those interested, you may wish to check out www.donsbulbs.com
it the best resource I've found for bulb technical info, and cross-reference.


Now to go off topic...

The forum simply prevents someone from adding multiple spaces between words.
Straight HTML strips the extra spaces, but the forum software I used must have used something to prevent that. I know that over a decade ago (Edit: with vbulletin), you had to use "code" tags to keep formatting.

EDIT: I'm not sure if the code on the sites I've used/owned had some function to convert the posts to include nbsp or something.

The forums I've moderated, and the ones for my company, all supported multiple spaces. I'm not sure which forum software they use/used.

I never said the site sucks. Most people here are fantastic. The same goes for the people who own and run the site. If that wasn't the case I wouldn't be here.
I said the forum software sucks. (or at least it's configuration is lacking)

There are other forum functionality problems too but I won't go into that here.
Eventually I make a full report with screenshots, so that they can hopefully be fixed.


So back to my question: Has anyone used an incandescent bulb other than the #93 bulb in the oem Catalina 22 cabin lights ? Without damaging them from heat ?

 

[Leeward Rail]

Take it easy, Cowboy.

?

 

[Jacktar]

Best bet is to replace whole cabin fixture from Catalina direct with LED one ,about 30 bucks each with shipping. Easy to swap out and no bulb changes. In the meantime take a bulb to local auto parts store and match with LED replacement they have that gives you same index (pin arrangement) and socket length. They vary but around 6 to 10 bucks. Then do not buy it but take the specs to local Walmart and get it for half that price.

 

[Gene Neill]

Has anyone used an incandescent bulb other than the #93 bulb in the oem Catalina 22 cabin lights ? Without damaging them from heat ?

I have not, sorry.

Probably a stupid question, but why use incandescent? Why not just throw some cheap LED's in there, with the same base?

 

[Leeward Rail]

I have not, sorry.

Probably a stupid question, but why use incandescent? Why not just throw some cheap LED's in there, with the same base?

That's the plan for the long term but I'm looking for a quick solution for a month or so.

I can't justify spending $15 ea for some 1156 LED bulbs from an auto store, when I may just switch everything to LED Strip lighting.

This winter I plan on installing a solar panel, battery monitor and new lighting.

 

[T_Cat]

I'm not sure where you've looked but in California I bought 93 bulbs at the local auto parts store. Also available on Amazon and at Walmart.


I just checked your profile and I see you're in Canada.
I assume you'll probably need to mail order them.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Best bet is to replace whole cabin fixture from Catalina direct with LED one ,about 30 bucks each with shipping. Easy to swap out and no bulb changes. In the meantime take a bulb to local auto parts store and match with LED replacement they have that gives you same index (pin arrangement) and socket length. They vary but around 6 to 10 bucks. Then do not buy it but take the specs to local Walmart and get it for half that price.

The problem with those $30 units is the fact that they don't use bulbs. I have seen more than few LEDs (both traditional and SMD ) fail, and the idea of replacing the whole housing again doesn't appeal to me

The best setup i think is using a a good BA15 based LED bulb, like you mention.
Then again the option of using LED strip lighting or even a combo of both is appealing.

But that's a decision for another time.

In the meantime I picked up 3 #1003 bulbs for a $1.50
I was worried that they would be too dim compared to an #1156, but direct comparison shows the difference is not enough to care, or risk melting the light fixture.

 

[Leeward Rail]

I'm not sure where you've looked but in California I bought 93 bulbs at the local auto parts store. Also available on Amazon and at Walmart.


I just checked your profile and I see you're in Canada.
I assume you'll probably need to mail order them.

LOL Yeah. For some reason even Walmart doesn't carry the same basic items in Canada.
I tell ya, after having to order special auto parts from California, It almost makes me want to apply for a green card. Especially with the winter coming and the boat haven't been launched yet.

FWIW: I picked some #1003 bulbs up at the local auto place. They are less wattage than the #93 and seem bright enough.

 

[Gene Neill]

You can find BA15s LED's on ebay for as little as .75 cents shipped. AND they're Chinese, so you can be sure they're of the very highest quality.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_nkw=1156+1141+BA15S&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

 

[ShotgunSlim]

You can find BA15s LED's on ebay for as little as .75 cents shipped. AND they're Chinese, so you can be sure they're of the very highest quality.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_nkw=1156+1141+BA15S&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

Thanks for the laugh Gene!! I've had my a** kicked all week at work trying run quality chinese products.....FWIW, I just ordered a 6 pack of LED bulbs with 1156 bases off of Amazon and went to re fit my light fixtures with them, they work great as long as the fixture is wired correctly. LED bulbs are polarity sensitive and you may have to swap the two wires going into the fixture to get the bulb to light up. Other than that, they're great.

 

[Leeward Rail]

You can find BA15s LED's on ebay for as little as .75 cents shipped. AND they're Chinese, so you can be sure they're of the very highest quality.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_nkw=1156+1141+BA15S&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

That's the plan for later. Unfortunately by the time they get here the sailing season will be over.

I have notes someplace from when I was searching the possible source of bulbs that some of the "marine LED" companies are selling.
You can almost guarantee that for common stuff like BA15s bases they simply are selling the "off the shelf" ones, available from China on ebay at a higher price.

ALL LEDS fail eventually, and at the low price you can get them from Hong Kong, with free shipping, you can keep a bunch of spares just like the incandescent bulbs.

I'm still not 100% sure if I'm going to install strip lighting in addition to the normal fixtures.
Their small size is a plus. The non-replaceable LEDS are a minus.

I'm thinking about putting lighting above my modified galley, under both cockpit seats, and maybe additional light in the v-berth

We shall see.

Cheers All !
Roy

 

[CaptDon01]

I bought LED festoon and twist bulbs for our motorhome and C-22 on EBay. They have a whole section on bulbs in the EBay Motors section. Very cheap and got free shipping. Check'em out

Don

 

[allen-deckard]

you don't have to change the fixtures to change to LED lights.

I changed all the bulbs to led a couple years ago.

LED no heat
Electric almost non existent
last like forever
Better light

Downside?

None that I know of.

If you want to change the fixtures that's fine but if yours are good all you have to do is change the bulbs.

 

[Leeward Rail]

LED no heat

Not totally true.

In my experience, high output LEDS produce plenty of heat. If you look at the good quality high output 1156 LEDS bulbs, they have heat sinks.
The 12 Volt LED that I'm planning to use for deck light bulb replacement also has a heat sink and is plenty hot, but cooler then the original bulb.
LEDS produce less heat for the same light output that comparable incandescent bulbs.

I have also experienced some high heat output from 120v LED bulbs of the same output as their comparable halogens. I assume this is due to the components required for the voltage and AC/DC conversion. Again, not as high as the halogens but hot enough that I didn't want to touch them with bare fingers.

As to replacing the cabin fixtures...
About the only reason I can see to replace them, is to get the ability to have both Red + White LEDS in the same housing.
Those $30 LED fixtures from CD are dual colour, but I don't think I'd need them for my use. For the rare case when I'm sailing at night, I've usually used my headlamp which has a red filter to preserve night vision. The headlamp is even less likely to annoy off watch crew. Though... you have to remember not to blind people when you look at them.Hehe

 

[Jacktar]

the case for replacing the fixtures is yes you end up with red/white dual switch LED lights that work really well and have plenty of light. I replaced one festoon bulb in a circa 83 fixture with an LED, hard to find one in correct length but possible. But the little copper clips for the festoons are notoriously subject to corrosion and a bad mechanical fit, some have to be rotated to engage properly or they just blink off with underway jiggling. Then there is the fun part of putting them in and out upside down in the little space above the old design shelf area in 100% humidity wearing bifocals. Outer one easy inside one is a bear. Two screw and a stubby driver and the fixture is in and out. I rest my tired case.