LED Results

[Sailgunner]

I just installed the two test LED bulbs I purchased. Unfortunately I made a mistake and bought warm white where my old bulbs were white. Below is a photo the the results.
The center bulb is my old white light bulb. I don't remember what it''s lumen rating was.
The bulb to the back right is the Hero bulb.
The bulb to the back left is the G4 LED.
Unfortunately Marine bulb decided not to provide a bulb and I was not willing to spend the $20 for the bulb plus $6.95 shipping.

This unscientific test shows the G4 LED clearly provides more light. This is consistent with their published lumens. If the published data is correct the MarineBeam would have the lowest output. The following is the summary of the bulbs.

Hero LEDs: LB-SG4-9T-12V, 200 lumens, 10-30V DC, 1.8 watts, $4.64 each but have to order 5 = $23.20. Shipping Free

G4 LEDs.com: G4-12-30A, 240-264 lumens, 10-30V DC, 2 watts, $2.86 each, shipping $10.00

Marinebeam: G4 12 LED Force 12, 170 lumens, 10-30 V DC, $20 each, $6.95 shipping

No dog in this fight. Just providing some unscientific data. I will be buying more of the G4 LEDs in white.

 

[Tata duende]

I have been playing with a few LEDs also and found a very cheap source. Go to Walmart online and search something like (auto led bulb) and a large selection of will pop up. Your order goes to Walmart but is then transferred to Tasharina Corp and they ship direct to you (no shipping fee). I got a bunch of festoon type bulbs a couple months back at avg cost of about $2/bulb in multi packs, and have switched all my interior and nav lights with exception of masthead and so far have been pleased with the results. See if this link carries over
http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=auto led bulb festoon
Brian K

 

[CATBOAT WILLY]

Sailgunner;
Did you notice if there was any radio interference when using the G-4 LED's ?
I understand that certain bulbs produce radio interference and was told that was the reason the more expensive bulbs were worth it. Of course I was told that by someone who wanted to charge me $20.00 bulb !

 

[Rich Stidger]

After evaluating a few LED bulbs of different configurations, I found these at Amazon with which I am very happy. They are voltage regulated, nearly as bright as 10W halogens, no RF noise, and fit into all of my sockets.

Less than $2 each. I bought 24 of them for all of my lights.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJ7APY2

I bought the 3W units. AC/DC 12V. Check out the pictures and dimensions on the link below.

These will tolerate a voltage range of 10-20V, so using them during a high voltage charging cycle will not harm them.

I have a few lamps that require a wedge base instead of the 2-pin G4 base. I soldered these bulbs to an adapter that I bought to convert them to wedge base. I could not find bulbs like these in a wedge base.

 

[Sailgunner]

Sailgunner;
Did you notice if there was any radio interference when using the G-4 LED's ?
I understand that certain bulbs produce radio interference and was told that was the reason the more expensive bulbs were worth it. Of course I was told that by someone who wanted to charge me $20.00 bulb !

Never had radio interference with any of the bulbs I have ever used.

 

[Tata duende]

Went down to the boat this morning; tried all the LEDs I had installed (cabin & nav) with radio on both AM & FM, there was no static or interference at all.