Replacement rope lighting on 40.5

[hardaground]

Have any of you 40.5 owners (or any others that have the courtesy rope lighting in their boats) replaced this lighting?? my is no longer working and would like to replace with a flexible LED strip I have found 3 suppliers.

MastLight.com sold in 10' sections only (my old one measured 12' 6") so would either just use the 10' section @ $95.00 or would have to buy another 10' section and splice to get 12' or 13'

Superbrightleds.com they have 16' single flexible light reel (can be cut to desired length) and the have a cool dimmer if the LED's prove to be too bright (reel is $100.00)

Imtra sold by the foot ( will be the least expensive) $72.00

If any one has any comments or other sources i would appreciate hearing about them
Thanks in advance
capt ron

 

[kebr]

Mine did not work when I bought my boat last year. The rope light info from Hunter says it is a Vista TAC 15'-3' FR. I called the company and they said that you could call the office in IN and order it from them. I just looked up the number and it is 574-264-0711. The website is http://www.vistamfg.com/

With that said, before I called back, I just checked the voltage at all of the connections and found my problem there instead. A wire had worked loose in the connector on the bus bar on the nav station main panel. I replaced the connector and it works again. I love the simple solutions.

Ken

 

[Luman]

That's a very good thread!

I really like this lighting on mine but never used it much because of the load it pulls on the batteries (see my electrical problem post). Didn't think about changing it for LEDs yet. But now that your asking, I think it's a superb idea. LEDs will be way less of a draw and price seems reasonable. Can't help much, sorry, but will keep an eye on your post for your findings.

Thanks

 

[kebr]

Good point. I missed the LED part and was just thinking that he wanted to replace it.

I do notice that the rope light does draw a lot. I would say it draws at least 5A. Maybe there are others that have some good input on LED alternatives. I would check with the OEM Vista as it looks like the they have LED rope lights too.

Ken

 

[Bill Roosa]

Christmass tree lights

They are cheap and if you get the "all red" type you could have a night sight friendly version too.
I'm planning on re stringing mine this winter with an all white and all red set and installing a selector switch replacing the overhead switch.

 

[hardaground]

courtesy lightning

They are cheap and if you get the "all red" type you could have a night sight friendly version too.
I'm planning on re stringing mine this winter with an all white and all red set and installing a selector switch replacing the overhead switch.

I like your idea I think I'll do the same.

Thanks Bill

 

[Arwen]

I'm curious if anyone has tried this set available from Defender Marine:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|739053|760445&id=763342

Says it draws .07 amps per foot, 12 feet would be only .84 of an amp, and is on sale at $5.69 per foot.

I don't know the light output, but I may give it a whirl.

Roger

Quick update,, I see this is manufactured by Imtra, as was noted in the first post. Anyway, on sale now!

 

[hardaground]

Replacement rope lighting

Roger,

I'm the one that posted the orginal post concerning this subject, when I pulled my old lighting the actual measurment was 12' 6'', I know the extra 6'' wont' make any difference. but I just ordered a roll 16' (minmum purchase for this particular item) from www.superbrightleds.com and I ordered the warm white color because when I saw the actual lights at the boat show last weekend, (there were a couple of LED light vendors there) the white lights were very very bright, and the Admiral wanted a softer light, but If thats not an issue the pricing from Defender is much cheaper that what I just ordered

Capt. Ron

I'm curious if anyone has tried this set available from Defender Marine:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|739053|760445&id=763342

Says it draws .07 amps per foot, 12 feet would be only .84 of an amp, and is on sale at $5.69 per foot.

I don't know the light output, but I may give it a whirl.

Roger

Quick update,, I see this is manufactured by Imtra, as was noted in the first post. Anyway, on sale now!

 

[Arwen]

Thanks, Ron.

The catalogue shows both warm or cool light, not sure of the amount of light output from either. I think I will go with the warm on your suggestion. I never use that light source, because of the huge draw it takes, so it will be nice to have some usable light that won't break the (battery) bank!

Roger

 

[dcfinley]

I replaced the salon, some aft cabin, and two of the three galley overhead lights in my boat with LEDs this weekend. I used high output LEDs, some warm white and some natural. The light output levels are comparable to the original incandescent bulbs (some blade, some festoon configuration) but the current draw difference is incredible! Previously our typical lighting load (interior lights only) was about 5 amps, now for a similar level of light the ammeter barely registers any load change at all when switching on the lights. Our typical current draw is now halved.

I may replace a couple of the overhead area lights with warm whites, and keep the reading spotlights with natural white, which is much whiter. Now to replace the remaining cabin bulbs and nav lights.