Replacing the cabin lights

dj2210

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Feb 4, 2012
337
Catalina 30 Watts Bar
My 1990 has four florescent fixtures located in main cabin and four of the incandescent square lights in V berth, head, and aft berth. The florescent fixtures are kinda ratty, yellow looking. I was thinking of replacing with new fixtures but not sure what to use. I thought about aqua signal Maputo but read that the wire exits the end which would show the wire. I don't see many rectangular fixtures available. Has anybody used these fixtures in their C30? Any other suggestions?
The incandescent square light fixtures could probably be replaced with round dome fixtures.
 
Apr 8, 2010
1,942
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
If you are planning to keep your boat for a few years and amortize out some really nice upgrade lighting........
Check out
http://www.alpenglowlights.com/

I installed one of their 9 watt dual brightness fixtures (red and white) last season. Now we wish we had done this years ago!
http://www.alpenglowlights.com/overhead-light-info.html
They really are that good. Low wattage and the light output is wonderful. State of the art LED.

Anyhow, just a suggestion.

Loren
 

dj2210

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Feb 4, 2012
337
Catalina 30 Watts Bar
Yes, they look good and have seen good reviews. I would need to measure since they are 6 inches wide.
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,759
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
There are soooo many LED fixtures of great quality out there now it's mind boggling. :)

www.Marinebeam.com is one of them that I've used. There are many others. To find something that will work for you, shop around.

They have a good Idiot's Guide on their website. Pick warm white.
 
Jun 29, 2011
142
Catalina 30 Mk II Gibsons
See my posts titled LED light replacement, I am really happy with my new lights
 

dj2210

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Feb 4, 2012
337
Catalina 30 Watts Bar
I ordered a couple of slim (one warm , one red) fixtures from Marinebeam. I'll light em up when I get them to see if I like em. Then I'll attempt to build a base out of teak, aluminum, or plastic. They'll mount nicely to teak winch pads, me thinks.
 

dj2210

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Feb 4, 2012
337
Catalina 30 Watts Bar
yup, seen these and they have gotten good reviews with the RVers. I was also thinking about ordering them. Let us know what you think when you get them.
 

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,771
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
DJ,
I got them and installed one over my frig/icebox. It looks good and is pretty bright but I tested them at work off a battery. Haven't got the batteries back on the boat so I don't know how it will be in the cabin. Has to be better than the florescent fixture that it replaced. I wasn't happy with the lighting in the galley. I also bought a pair of these:
http://ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=543
to mount under the cabinet. I like that they have individual switches. They are very bright. Have to see what they look like in the evening at anchor.
 

dj2210

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Feb 4, 2012
337
Catalina 30 Watts Bar
Just wanted to update the installation of cabin lights. I removed the florescent fixtures and replaced with Starlight RV fixtures. I replaced the LEDs with the marine beam Red & White Switchable replacement LED bulb. Did not change the square fixtures other than install a Red & White Switchable replacement LED bulb. Here is some pictures. Doesn't look to bad, does it?
 

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Apr 22, 2013
17
Catalina 30 Northport Long Island, NY
I have used this site for LED lights throughout my boat and a friends boat. The LED lights are a 5th the price. Direct from manufacturers in China. Select any of the bulbs that fit your base and are Warm White, not natural. Warm White gives off the color spectrum of a regular incandescent bulb. Use the natural light bulbs for the transom/running lights.
http://www.miniinthebox.com/car-led-light-bulbs_c3103

Also just replaced the swivel lamp in the cabin plus added 2 in the forward V berth with these. They have a really nice smoked glass shade. Its amazing how much less expensive RV directed products are than "marine".
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-12-VOLT...Parts_Accessories&hash=item35ce7f6849&vxp=mtr
http://www.miniinthebox.com/car-led-light-bulbs_c3103