LED deck lights

[donker]

Anybody have experience with LED deck lights? LEDs have gotten considerably better (color, illumination, price) in the last couple years. I've replaced all interior except two fluorescent head lights and all exterior lights except deck. I had no concern about nav, mast, anchor, etc. because the new ones at least are •brighter• than incandescent and take up so much less energy that I've been bale to consolidate several breakers (e.g., 3 cabin to 1 cabin with amps to spare.) The problem with LEDs, all the LED flashlights notwithstanding, is that •illumination• is not as good. (BTW, anyone that can explain the physics of lumens vs. candlepower or brightness vs. illumination that an average high school student can understand will get my hearty appreciation and a dollar for coffee.)

Before "running" (I'm 60 with arthritis) up the mast, I'd like to know if they can do the job and, if so, with how many LEDs in the fixture.

Thanks.

 

[Snotter]

After replacing my spreader lights (2 years ago) with new ones (none LEDs), I was shocked to learn how short the expected life of the bulbs were (sorry, but I don't remember the numbers off the box). Another big plus of LED spreader lights is their long expected life.

 

[dscribner]

This might help.

My anchor light wiring was broken (25' trailer sailer) and it slipped my mind. So, there we were in a blossoming sunset over Cape Elizabeth, anchored and ready for a romantic glass of Merlot, and then it hit me. As quick fix, I put one of those 3 LED puck lights ($4 at Walmart) in a Walmart bag, lit all three LEDs and ran it up the mast on a halyard. It was as bright as anybody around me. Visible for 2 nautical miles? Probably, but it was a quick fix and you couldn't get 2 miles from position anyway. So, Maine to the Golden Gate state . . .go LED! You won't regret it!

 

[kenn]

Led 101

The problem with LEDs, all the LED flashlights notwithstanding, is that •illumination• is not as good. (BTW, anyone that can explain the physics of lumens vs. candlepower or brightness vs. illumination that an average high school student can understand will get my hearty appreciation and a dollar for coffee.)

In a normal incandescent light bulb, current causes the filament to heat up and radiate energy across a broad spectrum - mostly heat, but some of the energy is emitted as visible light. Being broad spectrum, the light from incandescent bulbs contains a mix of all the individual colours, to produce what is subjectively described as a "warm" white light.

Basic LEDs contain one semiconducter material that will emit light at ONE wavelength (eg a specific colour - red green blue, etc). Different semiconductor materials emit different colours. LEDs are much more efficient because they emit virtually all of their energy at that single wavelength. Hardly any energy is emitted as heat or as other light wavelengths.

In order to produce a "white" light from a single LED, the LED must be made from a combination of semiconducter materials whose different frequencies will add up to produce a white light. This is fairly tricky, but LED bulbs are finally available that can produce a reasonably warm white light, at the expense of slightly higher current consumption.

In your shoes, what I would do is to arrange to try a few different LED bulbs or fixtures. Make a temporary fixture, put a length of wire on it and hoist it up a halyard at dusk, and see which one has the most acceptable light.

BTW, LED flashlights aren't that great an example to go by because the LEDs in them are chosen for efficiency, so their light is strong but also often bluish, which leads to the perception that they aren't as bright.

 

[JonnyQuest]

Good explanation about bluish flashlights

BTW, LED flashlights aren't that great an example to go by because the LEDs in them are chosen for efficiency, so their light is strong but also often bluish, which leads to the perception that they aren't as bright.

hey Kenn, thanks for explaining that flashlight led bulbs have the bluish colors and why. Glad to hear that the marine led bulb colors will be more "true." I'll be converting mine over as well over time.

 

[donker]

Thanks, all. I have some of those pucks and I'l try it. Kenn, good info.

 

[rgranger]

I just replaced ALL of the lights on my boat with LED's. The navigation and anchor lights I bought from a marine store but the interior lights and the deck light I got from Advanced Auto. I used a string of accent lights to go around the entire cabin and a pair of LED fog lights on the spreaders. It has only been a few months but so far so good (btw I mostly sail fresh water so I'm not able to review for salty environments).

r