WE are all trying to save power on the hook. Has anyone tried a solar light on the mast head? If so is there anyway to turn it off when at the dock?
Solar mast head lights
- Thread starter Blane
- Start date
- Status
Any anchor light should have an I/O at the electrical panel, regardless of how it is powered. Many solar lights have their own built-in daylight switches, assuming you have an I/O wired in anyway. Many skippers have used LED anchor lights with solar lights in the cockpit in addition. Your boat, your choice. Good luck. The trick is simply finding out what's on the market. If you do a search on LEDs on this or any other forum, you'll be reading for weeks. There was a post here last week about LEDs that included lots of links to LED providers.
Do you need to meet Coast Guard Rules?
There are requirements for the visibility & strength of all navigation lights (portion of rule 22 below). However, from what I can see, there is no such requirement for a light used only as an anchor light (portion of rule 30 below). So, if you are going to use it as both, whatever light you do must comply. If only at anchor you just need to be sure you can be seen. Mulf
From: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule22
Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights
The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:
(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in length:
(i) a masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 1 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 2 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.
Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:
(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
There are requirements for the visibility & strength of all navigation lights (portion of rule 22 below). However, from what I can see, there is no such requirement for a light used only as an anchor light (portion of rule 30 below). So, if you are going to use it as both, whatever light you do must comply. If only at anchor you just need to be sure you can be seen. Mulf
From: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule22
Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights
The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:
(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in length:
(i) a masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 1 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 2 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.
Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:
(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
We bought our masthead LED anchor light from Cruising Solutions. It has a photo sensor to shut off at dawn and on at dusk. Works great, USCG approved.
Interesting that a United States Coast Guard rule, pertaining to the marine environment, mixes meters and miles yet the rest of us normally use feet and nautical miles, even in Canada.Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights
The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:
(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in length:
(i) a masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 1 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 2 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.
Consider the following:
using an led anchor light powered by the batteries and a separate solar panel attached to the batteries
reduces the power by using led and you get power over and above that required to power the light. Solves 2 problems at the same time.
using an led anchor light powered by the batteries and a separate solar panel attached to the batteries
reduces the power by using led and you get power over and above that required to power the light. Solves 2 problems at the same time.
There are requirements for the visibility & strength of all navigation lights (portion of rule 22 below). However, from what I can see, there is no such requirement for a light used only as an anchor light (portion of rule 30 below). So, if you are going to use it as both, whatever light you do must comply. If only at anchor you just need to be sure you can be seen. Mulf
From: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule22
Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights
The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:
(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in length:
(i) a masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 1 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 2 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.
Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:
(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
Hi Mulf, we met at the Hunter rendezvous last summer.
Whenever I have purchased a new anchor light it came with a certificate indicating its compliance with Coastguard visibility requirements and warning it might not if the bulb was not replaced with same model. So I have been hesitant to replace the bulb in my anchor lights with an LED bulb if it did not have the same certificate.
The way I would interpret the above reg 22(iv) is that any all round white light must be visible for 2 miles, so are they not then specifying the visibility of an anchor light ?
I don't know, I am certainly no expert on any of this stuff.
We also like to keep a couple of solar lights in the cockpit when anchored out as some motor boaters may not notice a masthead light when approaching an anchorage and felt the extra lights would help in advertising our presence.
regards, Bob
Is this the one. Does it stay on all night? One problem with solar is not lasting throught he night. Looks very interesting.
http://cruisingsolutions.com/dusk-to-dawn-automatic-photocell-led-anchor-light-bulb/
Scott, I think this just an LED bulb that replaces the bulb in your existing masthead housing, so not a solar powered unit but probably draws so little current it would be negligible.
Bob
Thanks for the responses. My concerns were turning the light out while at the dock. I'll be the only boat with the masthead light on. On the other hand that has some positives if you get loaded and trying to find your slip.
- Status