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05-06-2014, 12:24
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Apostle Islands, Lake Superior; St. Paul
Boat: Rhodes, Chesapeake, 32
Posts: 155
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Spreader Light Placements
I picked up 2 27watt led 60 degree utility lights. I need to install these and I'm not sure where to put them. I think I would prefer just down from spreaders on both sides of mast.
Any opinions on where best to put them?
I've also thought of just installing one on front of mast for foredeck only.
Thanks
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05-06-2014, 12:36
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Re: Spreader light placements
They're called "spreader lights" because you mount them on the spreaders
Getting them away from the mast helps to distribute the light better.
I have a foredeck floodlight and LED spreader lights, but I have to say, that I practically never use them for anything. Good for lighting up your sails if you're afraid a ship doesn't see you, but even that use is pretty much obsolete after AIS.
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05-06-2014, 13:06
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,442
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
KETCHGOULD:
Middle of each lower spreader on the main mast.
Ann
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05-06-2014, 13:12
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate
Middle of each lower spreader on the main mast.
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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05-06-2014, 13:24
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lived aboard & cruised for 45 years,- now on a chair in my walk-in closet.
Boat: Morgan OI 413 1973 - Aythya
Posts: 8,455
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
I keep my spreader lights near the center of my spreaders; however, I do angle one forward to mid deck and one to the center aft.
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Take care and joy, Aythya crew
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05-06-2014, 13:41
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
There isn't a whole lot of consistency, but having the lights within easy reach of the mast will make servicing the lights easier.
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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05-06-2014, 14:32
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
I've had little luck with spreader lights. I find a simple downward pointing deck light beneath the steaming light suffices, while a decent headlamp does the rest for going forward. Spreader lights clicked on when underway tend to screw with one's night vision, and spreader lights at dock are too dim; if I'm on shore power, I'd would just bring out an AC work light on an extension cord. If you desire them, however, I would consider 12 gauge (tinned) wire. The incandescent ones suck power and you'll want as little resistance as you can get.
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05-06-2014, 17:14
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Spreader lights do what they do. If you're on deck, you need to see what's there to do what's to do. Otherwise, what the heck are you doing there?
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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05-06-2014, 21:35
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 6,252
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Quote:
Originally Posted by markpierce
There isn't a whole lot of consistency, but having the lights within easy reach of the mast will make servicing the lights easier.
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A radar reflector in the catch rain position. Wow. May I use that photo to show folks how it is done?
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As I sail, I praise God, and care not. (Luke Foxe)
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05-06-2014, 21:41
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackdale
A radar reflector in the catch rain position. Wow. May I use that photo to show folks how it is done?
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Definitely you may. (Have no need for reflector, having a steel boat.)
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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05-06-2014, 21:48
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptForce
I keep my spreader lights near the center of my spreaders; however, I do angle one forward to mid deck and one to the center aft.
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Wouldn't the aft-faced light tend to blind the helmsman? I'd consider having the two spreader lights to be on two different circuits. If deck lighting was a priority and the boat had two masts, wouldn't having lights on both masts' spreader (on different circuits) be desirable?
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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05-06-2014, 21:58
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 6,252
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Quote:
Originally Posted by markpierce
Wouldn't the aft-faced light tend to blind the helmsman?
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Deck lights should never be turned on underway at night. They might be used if anchoring at night.
Head lights with red lens are my night lights. I also carry a small mag lite with a red lens.
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CRYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor Evaluator, Sail
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor
As I sail, I praise God, and care not. (Luke Foxe)
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05-06-2014, 22:04
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackdale
Deck lights should never be turned on underway at night. They might be used if anchoring at night.
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Not handy for sail changes and reefing when it's really dark?
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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05-06-2014, 22:48
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markpierce
Not handy for sail changes and reefing when it's really dark?
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Ruin your night vision with them. Headlamps turned way down work much better for this kind of work.
Theoretical discussion for me since I reef from the cockpit, and don't change sails at all.
I guess I might one day use my spreader lights for some really involved work on deck which couldn't wait til morning. Important and involved enough that you don't mind sacrificing night vision.
So far never had such a case.
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06-06-2014, 02:51
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hobart
Boat: Alloy Peterson 40
Posts: 3,919
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Re: Spreader Light Placements
Used to have a very small bulb in the single deck light under the masthead light. It was great, just enough light to work but still kept some night vision. Maybe the same concept for spreader lights would be good, a bright set for major work when night vision isnt an issue, and a very dim set for when night vision is an issue. Prehaps even a dimmer switch?
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