LED Auxillary Anchor Lights

[Junk Viking]

Or should I say: Go all in.

Optolamp
Brighter, safer, more durable, less energy.


Tri-Color Anchor Strobe Light

Horizontal range: minimum 2,0 NM.
Power source: 10,6V to 14,4V.
Consumption UBC®: 0,126A to 0,155A.



One anchor light down on the boat
(SIRIUS LX-Plus" 4 in 1 DIGITAL BI-DIMENSIONAL)

Horizontal Range: minimum 2,0NM - Strobe light up to 3,5 NM.
Power Source: 9,2V to 14,4V.
Consumption UBC®: 0,126A to 0,145A.

Some may think it is overkill.
I think my life and my boat is worth it.

[Sailon1]

Sorry, previous message was cut off. Just wanted to say that I ordered the light strip. Also ordered a solar light (solarkandle) with pedestal clamps (another tip from Cruisersforum!) from Amazon for $24--all good suggestions!

[wrwakefield]

We always mount 2 of these dusk-to-dawn these portable anchor lights about 6-8 ft above deck level (bow and stern; ~45 feet apart) when at anchor- along with our mast head anchor light.

They have the added advantage of shining down so the deck is well lit in addition to the fresnel lens distributing light to the horizon for a couple of miles.

We prefer the brighter 15 LED model, which still only draws 0.1amp...

This same source [Cruising Solutions...] has LED spreader lights [and LED bulbs for many existing spreader lights] as well.

We will turn on our deck lights [2- one on each mast...] if there is a lot of traffic or we need to go on deck in the dark.

We are also conservative and leave the AIS transceiver on when at anchor, sometimes even a RADAR zone alarm, along with anchor alarms, automated fog sound signals, etc. It all adds up to making your vessel known to others...

In case this is helpful.

Cheers!

Bill

[Anchorage Frank]

I have climbed up the mast too often to try to replace the bulb in my anchor light. First, I installed an LED bulb that only lit on 180 degrees; when I went up to restore the original bulb, having not found a true 360 LED, I broke the fixture and had to run off to get another one. Again, still not an LED. There has to be a bulb that works in the AquaLamp 25. At anchor last weekend, I noticed a newer boat that had a very bright light up top; I'm sure it was LED.

[PuttingDoctor]

I have 4 solar pathway type lights on my aft arch. And now if I need to be seen my new bi-color Caprera2 spreader lights do the trick. The blue pair draw a meager 1.3 amps at full brightness. They light up the deck and surrounding water quite effectively.

[a64pilot]

Buy a "real" LED anchor light and you'll be glad you did.
I bought this one, a little pricey, but with the at the time Active Capt discount, a little more palatable.
Just leave the switch on, it turns itself on and off.
Signal Mate LED Anchor Light with Auto On / Off

[exMaggieDrum]

One other factor is that I have seen on the forum that you shouldn't display any lights that would/could confuse another vessel, e.g. red or green lights, steaming lights, etc. That would really be important for any numbnuts who might anchor in an active channel, not that any of us have ever seen that.

[mjcook]

On Rainbow Dreaming I got a strip of white LEDs and put it in clear plastic tube and sealed the ends. I plug into an outlet connected to the solar regulator which comes on at sunset and off at dawn. The draw is minimal. I wrap the light around the mast as high as I can comfortably reach. Works great.

[tkeithlu]

All our lights are LED, interior and exterior. There are substitute LEDs for every sort of bulb made, and they are not very expensive. They are also more reliable than filament bulbs. This is one area where you can lower your energy budget and improve your safety as well.

[knockabout]

we are a small boat but have had to assist after smaller boats Were rundown hidden in the town lights behind them/fitted 3 Mile rated led mast light/3 mile rated stern light and use a led waterproof headlamp(elastic strap type) facing forward strapped to the samson post to light up the bowsprit and furled headsails to help provide a silhouette/most of the problem seems to be powerful back lighting in plotters,sonar etc/the time it takes for eyes to adjust to the dark again at 15-25 knots leaves a large blind spot all happening in 3-5 knot anchored boat zone

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I installed LED cockpit lights, cheap day time running car lights from Amazon , with a wireless dimmer, lighting the cockpit up at night makes the boat visible to drunks, and I hope discourages middle of the night visitors.
It's my belief that criminals will avoid being brightly lit and will move to a dark boat for their breaking and entering.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Less than $10 for both

These look great. Can you tell us which wireless dimmer you're using?
Thanks!

[barnakiel]

Yes. I too think you are less likely to get a break in if your boat is well lit.

This is what I gathered from a police officer working in the field.

b.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by kas_1611

Another option to consider instead of festooning yourself with additional lights is reflective strips around your boat..........................

Reflectors only work if the approaching boat has headlights. They won't do anything for boats operating the way they are supposed to operate.

I agree with the person who suggested adding a second anchor light about twelve feet above the water. Masthead sailboat lights can be a bit too high at times.

[Celestialsailor]

Here is my design and version. I machined a base to fit a Perko Frezno lens with an LED that turns on at dusk and off at dawn.
1st pic...10ft. away
2nd pic...100ft.
3rd pic across the boat yard, maybe 800 ft.
4th pic during daylight.

There is a definite advantage not having the light atop a mast but lower where the offending vessel does not have to look up to see it.

[Adelie]

I am going to be installing 6 Amber marker lights for road trailers on my boat. 2 each side and 1 on each side of the stern on beveled seats angling a bit outward from straight back. On each side one at the bow angled forward as much as possible and one a bit act of amidships.
They are sealed so water proof.
Each draws 0.06a so 0.36a plus the masthead anchor light
Being Amber they are color that can't conflict with any other COLREGS light.
Actually I intend to run them whenever any nav light is on.

Optronics MCL13 or 14 seem to be the best bets.

This is one supplier: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lig...s/MCL14AB.html