leaving the light on

[b crites]

Spending several days on board . Noticing several owner's leaving a light on while away. Current temperature is 14 here in alabama. Any pros an cons of this practice while away from your vessel? Thanks bryan

 

[SG]

The OLD theory was that a 100 watt light bulb would dissipate humidity. The cons -- it wastes electricity and an otherwise useful old light bulb. The pros -- a burglar doesn't need to have a flashlight?

;^))) Happy New Year.

 

[Will Gilmore]

The OLD theory was that a 100 watt light bulb would dissipate humidity. The cons -- it wastes electricity and an otherwise useful old light bulb. The pros -- a burglar doesn't need to have a flashlight?

Of course, everyone is changing to LED lighting so just the burglar gets the benefits. Sleep soundly!

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[sailnoproblem]

Wow 14 in Alabama I wish global warming or climate change would hurry up! I am freezing my butt off .
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

 

[jssailem]

@sailnoproblem All except my butt is just fine. Must be an east coast thing. Out here in the PacNW coast we wear pants.
It works well to protect our behinds from freezing.
HAPPY NEW YEAR...

 

[Ron20324]

... Noticing several owner's leaving a light on while away. Current temperature is 14 here in alabama. Any pros an cons of this practice while away from your vessel?

I have a gadget here that I've not used yet. Made by Honeywell, "Winter watchman. Model CW200A" . It plugs into 110. Plug up to a 120 watt light into the unit. The threshold is variable for 30 to 60 degrees. Test button.

 

[jssailem]

That sounds like something that might work in an Alabama Chill. Up here one needs a heater, or an engine heater to maintain a minimum heat level in the boat during the 3-4 weeks of cold. Thankfully the water helps to mediate the bitter cold.

 

[Sanfelice]

When I keep the boat in the water over the winter I use:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-brooder-lamp?cm_vc=-10005
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ermostatically-controlled-outlet?cm_vc=IOPDP1
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/heat bulbs

Only turns on when the temp drops. No moving parts. Very effective. Just place it low in the boat with all storage ids open.

boat out of the water right now soI use it to keep pipes from freezing with our unusual sub zero temps.

 

[jssailem]

@Sanfelice I would think the chickens would get a bit upset. They depend on the heat lamps to deal with this new cold climate.

 

[Sanfelice]

Not to worry, that is what a fryer is for .

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Not aboard, but woke to 32 this morning- fore cast 24 and possible sleet tonight- and this is the south Texas coast about a 4 hour drive from Mexico!!~~! Cold SUX

 

[JamesG161]

@jssailem we all don't have "mummy" outfits to warm our butts. It is just above freezing here along the sunny Gulf Coast. This week at nights upper 20's , daytime near 40. Hoping my winter garden survives.
We need some Pacific Ocean moisture from the PNW!!! That would cause more snow to temper this cold dry air.

Happy New Year for sailing too!
Jim...

 

[jssailem]

@JamesG161
I know you did not get everything you wanted for Christmas.
I think I found 2 possible suits for you in your size...
Happy New Year.

Or even better..

 

[Jackdaw]

At the end of our season (late Oct-Nov) I leave an 120 light on plugged into shore power. I can see this light on the web cam, and its a reassuring way for me to tell that my space heater and oil-pan heater I have on board are ready and operational. Our shore power gets unplugged or tripped too often for my comfort.

 

[Head Sail]

The 100 watt light bulb is useful for keeping the air inside the cabin in motion to avoid mildew from establishing a foothold. It gives off enough heat to reduce humidity and circulate the air. Do not use LED since the heat is minimal.

Please excuse the some of the silly banter above. It can be somewhat annoying to see a serious question responded to with nonsense.

 

[Rick D]

In the olden days, those of us with wooden boats typically kept a light on to keep the air moving. Later, we found "Golden Rods" (still available) which were a bit more efficient. Still, I used to love walking to the marina and seeing the pretty boats with soft lights inside.

 

[jwing]

The 100 watt light bulb is useful for keeping the air inside the cabin in motion to avoid mildew from establishing a foothold. It gives off enough heat to reduce humidity and circulate the air. Do not use LED since the heat is minimal.

Please excuse the some of the silly banter above. It can be somewhat annoying to see a serious question responded to with nonsense.

Hmm...I find the notion of using a 100 watt light bulb to induce air motion as rather nonsensical. If the goal is to move air why not use a fan?

I find the notion of inducing air circulation to prevent mildew also nonsensical. Any surface that is colder than the air's dew point will gather condensation. Moisture + mildew food = mildew, regardless of air velocity.

I find the notion of using a 100 watt light bulb to move air and raise dew point and surface temperatures nonsensical. Why not use a space heater, which is a combination of a heater and a fan?

 

[BigEasy]

Haven't used a light; however, I am have been using a Caframo 9206 cabin heater on medium setting, this week, as the temps have been dipping into mid to low 20's. West Marine sells the same unit under the West Marine label.

 

[Capt jgw]

It's so cold here in Michigan that I brought the ceramic heater from the boat back to the house. Brutal. Coldest weather we've had in about five years.

We use the ceramic heater on the boat in early spring and late fall. In winter the boats outside on the hard and well winterized (I hope). Pointless trying to keep it warm.