My masthead light. I'm trying to find out what it's power draw might be, since it seems to deplete my battery very badly. I guess it's an ebay special of some kind?
Ever seen this LED?
- Thread starter Gene Neill
- Start date
Looks homemade. And overbuilt, too.
http://superpositioned.wordpress.ruschmann.net/2006/02/25/diy-led-lighting-guide/ has some information regarding the eating of power per LED.
http://superpositioned.wordpress.ruschmann.net/2006/02/25/diy-led-lighting-guide/ has some information regarding the eating of power per LED.
Just like any light source, LED power consumption is a function of brightness. Its common to use an array of lower light/power LEDs in place of one big one. Redundancy is one reason, spreading the light wider than the LED's natural beam angle is another.
That wire tie looks rather bush league, but still, it's surface mount tech, and that's typically not hobby boy fare. Still, who knows??
That wire tie looks rather bush league, but still, it's surface mount tech, and that's typically not hobby boy fare. Still, who knows??
Not sure about the LED power draw, but I do know that a wire tie wrap will NOT last long. Even IF UV can't get to it, the high heat build up in the inside of a mast head light will likely degrade is very fast. 
I would not use it aboard our boat. :cry:
Greg
I would not use it aboard our boat. :cry:
Greg
what is the condition of your battery?
that array of leds will pull nearly an amp of power and if your battery is old and sulfated, it wont have the capacity it should and the light will run it down rather quickly.
that array of leds will pull nearly an amp of power and if your battery is old and sulfated, it wont have the capacity it should and the light will run it down rather quickly.
Looks home made to me, back before led bulbs were readily available you bought the components and assembled them yourself, and who knows if they did it right. Led's can last 100,000 hours so that thing could be really old. Looks like there are 72 leds on it, that's probably way brighter than you need. A modern well made bulb with the same type base should work as well with lower current draw. Check out Marinebeam.com. A little pricey but the best on the market.
To really know, get a little volt/ammeter and test the bulb to see.. something like this is fine:
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-multimeter-98025.html
They regularly have coupons where you can get this one for no cost.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-multimeter-98025.html
They regularly have coupons where you can get this one for no cost.
Tell me there is fixture covering that light. There is a tradeoff between brightness and power consumption. Make sure you use a lamp that is designed for masthead use.
Yes YEs YES!
I know an engineer who owns an LED sign company. For quite some time he worked on making a masthead light for hi boat in Florida.
When we talked, he said one BIG problem he had was heat buildup in the covering. That high heat woyld kill the LEDs very fast. Yes, they may be good for 10,000 hours - AT ROOM TEM. but raise that temp to 150 degree F (EASY to do in Florida) and the LEDs lasted about 10 hours. So, take caution.
Greg
Do yourself a favor and buy one or the other of these:
http://marinebeam.com/led-anchor-light/
http://marinebeam.com/led-anchor-light-with-photocell-sensor/
Then you will have a sealed, USCG certified, low amp draw fixture that will last you a long time without having to do any maintenance or screwing around with replacement bulbs and worrying about whether a replacement bulb meet USCG regs. I have the non-photocell version (wish the photocell had been out when I got mine!) and it is definitely the brightest masthead light in any anchorage where I've used it so far.
http://marinebeam.com/led-anchor-light/
http://marinebeam.com/led-anchor-light-with-photocell-sensor/
Then you will have a sealed, USCG certified, low amp draw fixture that will last you a long time without having to do any maintenance or screwing around with replacement bulbs and worrying about whether a replacement bulb meet USCG regs. I have the non-photocell version (wish the photocell had been out when I got mine!) and it is definitely the brightest masthead light in any anchorage where I've used it so far.
Didn't think about the heat problem. LED's don't make much if any heat themselves but a black housing in the sun will get pretty hot. Good reason to get the white housings even though the sun might degrade the plastic over time.
It's brand new: http://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...atteries/108267-Deep-Cycle/BCI-Group-24M.aspx. I read a lot of positive reviews, and it's said to be a rebadged Deka? But it's got me wondering. I'm doing some various experiments and it does seem to discharge pretty fast.
I actually have a couple multimeters. I just need to get on youtube and learn how to test DC amps with them, as I am not electrically knowledgeable AT ALL.
Regardless, I have a new light on order so this one is going away soon.
Why not go to the manufacturer's web and get the instructions?...I actually have a couple multimeters. I just need to get on youtube and learn how to test DC amps with them...