LED ANchor Light Fixtures

Apex

.
Jun 19, 2013
1,210
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
..I am searching for an LED FIXTURE, trying to avoid the replacement bulb per other discussions read here.

The masthead on my Oday 28 has a specific casting let in for a light, and I am looking for recommendations on fixtures.

1) OD = approx. 2-1/2" diameter available
2) There is a windex above this light, so light emitting up would allow illumination. So a non-capped design is preferred.
3) Wiring exits below the fixture through a 3/4" through hole
4) Mounting bolts are threaded into the masthead, so I would LOVE to find a fixture I can simply use those mounting locations: #8, 3 equally spaced mounting holes in 1-3/4" diameter centerline pattern.


THANKS
 
Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
I installed this unit last year. It fit fine but I think I drilled and tapped a hole or two replacing my old Hella OEM unit. I also rewired the mast to use tinned wire replacing the cheap wire originally installed. You probably want to plan on that while you're at it. Also ran new antenna wire and replaced steaming light fixture.http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|2312550|2312562&id=2113604
 
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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
when you say "LED fixture", do you want something that the led bulb is firmly attached to so it can never be changed without replacing the entire fixture?.... these are available, but very expensive and not as well built as you would think they should be for the price.

a new "common" fixture with a replaceable bulb is a much better option. and it is NOT jury rigging it, but it is the norm for this type of application.

if the fixture you have is still water tight and dry with a clear lens, you could probably use it, but if you want to replace it, do it!....

i would recommend that whatever you decide to do, make any wire connections with adhesive shrink terminals (which is the very best), OR.. dip the ends of the wire in silicone grease before crimping them into regular connectors.
AND, use silicone grease in the bulb socket. this will keep the moisture out and prevent corrosion and then a faulty circuit....

silicone grease is dielectric and will not conduct electricity, where as a regular mineral grease can... not enough to create a short in the system, but enough to cause a very small measurable draw, depending on the atmosphere.

dont allow the wire to hang from the masthead to the deck from a crimped terminal, UNLESS it is an adhesive shrink terminal. this will help prevent the wire from coming disconnected and falling to the bottom of the mast inside...
AND, make sure there is a decent strain relief so the light fixture never has to suffer from pulled wires.


this is what i installed on my 25.... it is a very bright single led designed for the masthead. its built with a reflector to turn the light out, but its so bright that it very clearly lights the windex....

previously installed was a sun baked fixture with an incandescent bulb in it that was mounted on a bracket similar to the windex bracket that left the top of the masthead open.
and there was no strain relief on the wire... it hung from the fixture to the deck. im surprised it was still attached and working after all these years.

when I pulled the wire to install the silencers on the wire, there was a dead bird in there. (it must have been hung up on the spreader bolt)
so to prevent that from ever happening again I built a different mount for the light to enclose the masthead, and with a better strain relief for the wire.
I installed twin wire with a sheath for better tensile strength, not that it was so necessary, but only because I had the wire and i could...

masthead light fixture Victory #AA00106 anchorlight (perko 337)....my cost was $12.95
masthead bulb LED, brand, DrLED #GE90STAR ........................my cost was $49.00
 

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Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
I see absolutely no sense putting a replaceable LED bulb with a 50,000 bulb life (essentially life of the boat) into a masthead fixture with a threaded seal. MarineBeam makes a sealed LED anchor lamp that illuminates upward. Maybe use the replaceable bulbs for the deck lights.
 

Apex

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Jun 19, 2013
1,210
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
Centerline, that is a NICE strain relief brack you built. Thanks for all of the tips as well, we willbe incorporating much of those. The steaming light will likely NOT be LED, nor the deck light I am putting in the same fixture.
 
May 17, 2004
5,541
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
..4) Mounting bolts are threaded into the masthead, so I would LOVE to find a fixture I can simply use those mounting locations: #8, 3 equally spaced mounting holes in 1-3/4" diameter centerline pattern. THANKS
Have you confirmed that the existing screws actually can be removed? On our 28 they were seized to the masthead so thoroughly that there would be no removing them without drilling them out.
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
I see absolutely no sense putting a replaceable LED bulb with a 50,000 bulb life (essentially life of the boat) into a masthead fixture with a threaded seal. MarineBeam makes a sealed LED anchor lamp that illuminates upward. Maybe use the replaceable bulbs for the deck lights.
I wont totally disagree, because a lot depends on how you use the boat, where you use the boat, and the boat itself.
but there IS a saving to be had by just replacing the bulb, and even if a person replaced the entire fixture with a new bulb, and took the care to install it with longevity in mind, the whole affair will be cheaper than the MarineBeam Light and still outlast the owner... and probably the boat.

so it can make sense to change the bulb and fixture vs paying the extra 25-30 dollars for a different style of light that will serve the owner just as well either way.

but MarineBeam lights are very high quality Lights....
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
Centerline, that is a NICE strain relief brack you built. Thanks for all of the tips as well, we willbe incorporating much of those. The steaming light will likely NOT be LED, nor the deck light I am putting in the same fixture.
i agree there is little sense in spending the money to convert the steaming light to LED, as when you are steaming, you are running the engine so not depleting your power reserves.

as for the deck lights or spreader lights, LED is a good option for that, or is is for some of us. when at anchor on a hot summer evening its nice to have the spreaders on when taking a swim, or when guests are aboard.

on my 34 i have not converted the spreaders yet which are 20watt halogens, which really brightens it up, but its using a lot of power also...

its only a matter of time before the leds get installed.
 

Apex

.
Jun 19, 2013
1,210
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
Masthead unit is on my desk, yep, bolts were removed and fortunately very easily. The fixture that was there was a replacement, and did not match the casting put there by the Mfr. Finding one that fits is more for compulsive satisfaction than function...I have a plan to simplify the systems, and have bought a new antenna, and windex that mounts to the antenna. The previous setup was very interesting. The windex mount was nice, but the antenna had a 90deg bend in it to avoid conflict with the windex.

The original steaming light has an area perfect for mounting a foredeck light. The combo units available online may be just the ticket though in light of the crappy fixture previously there, and I haven't been confident to spec a light a la carte....
 
Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Whenever I post or read, I catagorize opinions based on the size and type of boat of the various responders. Care for a 1/4 million dollar yatch is in a completely different venue from a 28 foot daysailor and even more so for a 25 footer. A fellow with a 40 footer will spend more on his boat in one year than I do on my home mortgage. Like a guy with a Mercedes who always goes to the dealer giving auto advice to his cousin in the Jeep Grand Cherokee with 150k miles. When making mods, upgrades or repairs, do the best that 1) will keep you sailing safely 2) is priced so it won't break the bank 3) will make you please with the result.

And I step off my soapbox
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
Whenever I post or read, I catagorize opinions based on the size and type of boat of the various responders. Care for a 1/4 million dollar yatch is in a completely different venue from a 28 foot daysailor and even more so for a 25 footer. A fellow with a 40 footer will spend more on his boat in one year than I do on my home mortgage. Like a guy with a Mercedes who always goes to the dealer giving auto advice to his cousin in the Jeep Grand Cherokee with 150k miles. When making mods, upgrades or repairs, do the best that 1) will keep you sailing safely 2) is priced so it won't break the bank 3) will make you please with the result.

And I step off my soapbox
I agree....and the fact that some of us are more or less picky about how our boats are setup than other people are about theirs.

and all too often its not he hardware used that is the problem, but it is the workmanship that goes into the repair....
 
Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
I agree....and the fact that some of us are more or less picky about how our boats are setup than other people are about theirs.

and all too often its not he hardware used that is the problem, but it is the workmanship that goes into the repair....
I agree. Provided somebody is being as picky as he can afford to be or to the extent of his talent. Now, I'm not talking about an expensive yacht, but rather a sailboat that is Joe Average's pride and joy. Too many times I've heard Mike Megayacht recommend a $1000 electronic gadget or $2000 repairs insisting that it is the only logical decision, not realizing just how mega-rediculous it is to a guy whose boat and trailer cost just about that same price. Doesn't make Joe less a sailor or less capable on the water. But it may mean that he loves the sport more, being willing to sail without all the creature comforts and electronic reassurances that money can buy. Who loves camping more, the guy in the tent with a bedroll or the guy who rolls up with a 40 foot tag-along with a couple of tip-outs, satellite TV, a full kichen and queen sized bed?