LED Lights for Catatlina 30...

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GEM555

GEM555

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Jun 13, 2011
15
Catalina 30 Manchester, NH
I have a Catalina 30 and want to replace the RV - looking units with LED fixtures. Any advise?

Thanks in advance!
 
Team118

Team118

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Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
If the lights work, then you can just swap out the lights...if the wiring is bad, then you'll have to think about where you want your new lights and HOW you want to get the new wiring there. I had to make new runs for by cabin lights. They aren't perfect and I've seen some guys on this site with better ideas.

I bought 5 1/2" dome lights from Marineengine.com for about $35 and a couple of reading lights for the fore cabin. They were all LED, I left the a regular lamp in the head because I figure it would only be on while in use. I have to 'center' the reading lights in the fore cabin...

I also installed a little 3 LED amber light behind the steps for at night and I bought 5 or 6 18" LED amber light strips on EBay and installed them behind the headliner ridge. They are hidden from view but I have those amber strips, the step light and a red LED light in the cockpit wired to a seperate switch for nights. They create a great warm light and I don't really need to use any of the cabin lights unless I'm down there.

I would just search "Marine LED lighting", you'll find a bunch of sites...Defender, Jamestown, SailorSams, etc that offer great deals. It's all about the cost plus shipping to where you live.

Good luck!
Chris
 

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GEM555

GEM555

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Jun 13, 2011
15
Catalina 30 Manchester, NH
Thanks (and thanks for the snaps). My fixtures are shot, so I'll be looking for new.
 
B

Barnacle Bill

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Jun 9, 2008
1,804
- -- -Bayfield
Any good sailboat store has LED bulbs that can be inserted into existing lights. There might be some cases where this won't work, but I happen to know there are a lot of cases where this does work. Otherwise, replace the old fixture with a new LED fixture.
 
Lost Parent

Lost Parent

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Jul 8, 2011
704
Catalina 30 Sidney B.C.
Just did mine on the weekend , got a hold of some 3 year old model rv lights that are now out of date , installed them and put in LED bulbs , looks great especially one in the head ...it really perks it up ..Total cost 45 dollars for fixtures and about 80 for LED bulbs
 
GEM555

GEM555

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Jun 13, 2011
15
Catalina 30 Manchester, NH
Thanks! Where did you source the fixtures from and did they fit the same screw holes?
 
Lost Parent

Lost Parent

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Jul 8, 2011
704
Catalina 30 Sidney B.C.
Just phone around to local rv joints and ask if they have any older stock they want to get rid of or check on ebay mine did not cover exactly but I used inner holes and just filled holes behind the new lights
 
jimmcgee

jimmcgee

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Feb 26, 2008
603
Catalina 30 Marathon, FL
RV stores are a great source of lights and other boat parts. So is Amazon and one of my projects is to take some track lighting and convert it for use in the boat as reading lights.

Make sure you go with warm white LEDs. If you're spending much time aboard you might want to upgrade the lighting in the galley to make cooking at night more pleasant.
 
M

Me and Boo

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Dec 1, 2011
75
Catalina 1984 C30 Tall Rig Bow Sprit MD
I added one between the galley and the port dining settee. It swivels back and forth, a real cool addition. The rest of the fixtures and lights will be swapped out for LEDs as I get time and money.

jimmcgee said:
RV stores are a great source of lights and other boat parts. So is Amazon and one of my projects is to take some track lighting and convert it for use in the boat as reading lights.

Make sure you go with warm white LEDs. If you're spending much time aboard you might want to upgrade the lighting in the galley to make cooking at night more pleasant.
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