LED Anchor Light

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I discovered for myself, by making our anchor light from discrete LEDs, that LEDs are very susceptible blowing from transients, which might come from mast handling, static, or storm activity.

I had to add some additional components for protection from transients and reverse voltages, and so far this has lasted 2 seasons.

(not USCG approved, of course, but plenty visible)

Circuits or it didn't happen !

Dave

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

Nice. Will you stamp my homemade light drawings for free?

HAHAHA. No.

BTW 33 CFR 183.810 deals with the navigation light, that is the housing/lens/ holder and lists the type of bulb used. Bulbs are not certified by their selfs which is the issue with LED's and incandescent bulbs in general.

So if you manufacturer, an anchor light you manufacture must be certified to 183.810 for sale or resale in the US. That does not prevent anyone from making their own or hanging an oil lamp or 100 watt light bulb from the rigging so long as it can be seen from 2nm away.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Circuits or it didn't happen !

Resistor values from memory, but the idea was approx 15 mA into each LED string at 12.5 v. 1N4004 diode absorbs reverse voltages, 0.33 uF caps eat transients.

[FlyingCloud1937]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

I can provide my own engineering stamp as approval in a court of law.

Now that girlfriend will be the reason to convict.

Every attorney at law knows, the number one rule, Never self represent.

It has no credibility.

Lloyd

[RaymondR]

The USCG does not approve anchor lights. Manufacturers pay to have their anchor lights certified by a third party to meet USCG requirements.

As long as your light meets the requirements your good. Me I use a $17 led bulb (current compensating 10V to 30V) in a clear plastic spice jar zip tied to the back stay above the boom for a total outlay of about $23. Yes it meets CG location requirements too.

I'm with you on this Sailorchik34, there is far too much of this xxxxx approved nonsense going on these days.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by FlyingCloud1937

Now that girlfriend will be the reason to convict.

Every attorney at law knows, the number one rule, Never self represent.

It has no credibility.

Lloyd

I hear what your saying, and agree that it's a credibility issue. Yet I could provide expert witness to another engineer on the exact same issue and my testimony would be fine. Delightful...

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

I hear what your saying, and agree that it's a credibility issue. Yet I could provide expert witness to another engineer on the exact same issue and my testimony would be fine. Delightful...

Even better, you could get paid to do it and the courts most likely would not care one whit. Dontcha luv our legal system...

[Hank Kivett]

I am replacing my 30 yr old anchor light with a new aqua signal 20 series and ordered a new LED bulb ($20.00) from supper bright for a total cost of $42.00..Now I will say this...I did try and LED bulb from Dr. LED, in fact tried 5 blubs from him and of the 5 none work...so $238.00 seams high.

[transmitterdan]

Hank,

Please let us know how much interference to VHF this setup causes and how long the bulb survives.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

Hank,

Please let us know how much interference to VHF this setup causes and how long the bulb survives.

I'm actually using a led bulb from superbrightleds.com. With the led anchor light on or off there is no difference in the VHF. Of course my LED is far from my VHF antenna. I had tried a Dr. Led a few years ago and it failed within a year.

[Hank Kivett]

Well my light is within 18" of the VHF antenna...has anyone experienced and interference....I have not installed it yet so this would be info to have at this point...

[SoonerSailor]

Originally Posted by Hank Kivett

Well my light is within 18" of the VHF antenna...has anyone experienced and interference....I have not installed it yet so this would be info to have at this point...

Depends on how current is regulated to the LED. If simple dropping resistors and/or perhaps a linear voltage regulator, no interference. If a switching constant current regulator, a very high probability of hearing hash on some if not most channels. Each method has its advantages and flaws.

Power the module up and check with your handheld VHF before climbing the mast.