Who would want to see a strobe light while at anchotage? That would be very annoying and power consuming
Benny, I see your point about an LED-specific fixture, but for a high quality fixture like Hella and Aqua Signal Series 40 lamps, swapping out the incandescent bulb for an LED results in a system just as reliable as before, which is excellent for a properly installed fixture. Further, you shouldn't use anything other than a USCG approved light, which covers LED bulbs. These are typically not available for $10. My experience has been in the $35. to $50. range.The advantage I see with an LED fixture is reliability as it will likely outlast your ownership of the boat. Replacing the bulb in an existing fixture with a hybrid LED bulb adds very little reliability as the majority of the problems are cause by rusted bulb sockets or poor electrical contacts. A quality fixture will sell for around $160+ while a bulb could be had for under $10. Not having to climb the mast when you are not prepared or just do not feel like it may be worth the $160.
Reading the 2015 safety alert issued by the CG, https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/1015.pdfFurther, you shouldn't use anything other than a USCG approved light, which covers LED bulbs.
The certification is based on the light fixture with an OEM bulb. It is listed somewhere in CFR 40 something. Don't have time to do the research.It specifies the word navigation “Light” not navigation “Bulb”. Is there something in the regs that specifies “bulb” certification?
The light and bulb are certified together. The fixture should be marked with the bulb type required for certification and the words USCG Certified. I believe using any type of bulb other than what the lamp was certified with invalidates your USCG certification. This makes sense as the bulb influences both distance and light angles. Yes most LED’s from MarineBeam or SBO probably exceed the spec and are arguably brighter, but who is going to the USCG and pay for a new cert. unlike “normal” bulbs which are standardized as to filament height, orientation to the pins ..... Each LED vendor has only using the standard base, number of LED’s orientation, color are all different.Reading the 2015 safety alert issued by the CG, https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/1015.pdf
It specifies the word navigation “Light” not navigation “Bulb”. Is there something in the regs that specifies “bulb” certification?
Unless the lights are grossly non-compliant the USCG or LEOs will probably not bother with lighting issues.I always get a kick out of concerns expressed on these forums if replacing bulbs is going to invalidate the certifications by USCG, or some other regulatory body.
I don't think it is illegal, but it would be confusing, as it would mean something else. And you would need to have the anchor light, anyway (that is legally required).And is it possible to install a strobe light instead or is that illegal?
The simple answer is yes. The new lights are designed to work with the LED "bulb", so that would work better.Would it be recommended to replace this housing and LED at the same time?
It's a lot easier, and probably less expensive, to put an LED bulb into an existing fixture. USCG certified combinations are available (Dr. LED). Why buy entire fixtures, re-install/rewire, and throw away expensive fixtures when you can just replace bulbs? (My nav light fixtures add up to over $500.)I don't think it is illegal, but it would be confusing, as it would mean something else. And you would need to have the anchor light, anyway (that is legally required).
The simple answer is yes. The new lights are designed to work with the LED "bulb", so that would work better.
Depends. I replaced the whole fixture on my TriColor light, it was ~25 years old, the wiring was funky, and the mast was on saw horses. I don't have to worry about corrosion now and the wiring is much better.It's a lot easier, and probably less expensive, to put an LED bulb into an existing fixture. USCG certified combinations are available (Dr. LED). Why buy entire fixtures, re-install/rewire, and throw away expensive fixtures when you can just replace bulbs? (My nav light fixtures add up to over $500.)
Yes, indeed, it certainly is. I don't think I've spent a single night in any anchorage in the Caribbean where at least one boat wasn't showing his ignorance.Who would want to see a strobe light while at anchotage? That would be very annoying and power consuming
I tried that with my nav lights and it was an expensive failure. The Aqua Signal housings weren't actually watertight enough nor were the contacts particularly good at conducting power. Since the new LED fixtures are 100% sealed AND come with heat sinks, there is no good reason to use old fixtures with the new tech LEDs, IMO.It's a lot easier, and probably less expensive, to put an LED bulb into an existing fixture. USCG certified combinations are available (Dr. LED). Why buy entire fixtures, re-install/rewire, and throw away expensive fixtures when you can just replace bulbs? (My nav light fixtures add up to over $500.)
You can do a little research beforehand, assuming you know what's on your boat.Compared to heading up to figure out the bulb size then getting the right one and heading up again to switch it out.
YupYou can do a little research beforehand, assuming you know what's on your boat.
If I'm going with LED does the housing need to be replaced? The 38 is 10 years old and I'm almost certain that the housing is just as old. Would it be recommended to replace this housing and LED at the same time? And is it possible to install a strobe light instead or is that illegal? I got the anchor light and steaming light confused.