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Old 31-01-2016, 09:07   #1
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Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

Anyone else suffer from the horrible 65mm recessed halogen G4 downlights from Cantalupi?

My boat had about a million of them all throughout the boat.

I converted most of them to LED, but broke at least half of them because of the hideously engineered fixing mechanism with springs in slots cut right into the brass body, which shatters (and can cut your fingers to the bone -- don't ask).

I replaced some with MR16 reflector bulbs, which are quite bright, with very cheap and good spring fixtures. But these are very deep and don't fit everywhere.

Now I want to replace a few more -- if not all of those horrible Cantalupi jobs.

Has anyone come up with a "magic bullet" for this problem?
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Old 31-01-2016, 09:12   #2
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

Maybe.....maybe not. Without a picture I don't know what you're talking about.
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Old 31-01-2016, 09:31   #3
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

I'm not on the boat, so can't post a photo just yet, but they are recessed, round halogen downlights, as found on many boats of this era (early 2000's). They go into 65mm holes in the headliner and are held in place by springs. The G4 halogen bulbs backed by reflectors and covered by a frosted glass lens, surrounded by a chrome bezel, almost flush with the headliner.

Cantalupi is a well-known name in marine lighting, own by Benetti Yachts and used in lots of boats, like Swans and Princess motor yachts.

Nevertheless, carp.
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 31-01-2016, 17:40   #4
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

Imtra, Scandvik, and the other top marine light brands have recessed lights with Springs like that.. They have them in LED as well so no more bulb change. I'd look for replacement as they break instead of hurting yourself from bad design. Plus halogen puts out heat and is a high energy consumer compared to LED.

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Old 01-02-2016, 02:31   #5
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

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Originally Posted by SailRedemption View Post
Imtra, Scandvik, and the other top marine light brands have recessed lights with Springs like that.. They have them in LED as well so no more bulb change. I'd look for replacement as they break instead of hurting yourself from bad design. Plus halogen puts out heat and is a high energy consumer compared to LED.

See more @ redemptiverepair.com
Thanks.

I replaced all the halogen with LED years ago, but some of the Cantalupi fixtures are loose because of broken tangs. I just want to get rid of them.

I'll look at the links you provided; thanks.
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 01-02-2016, 08:51   #6
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

They are not cheap but, I used the Lopolight PN400-123's. They used to offer them in combinations of white/red or white/white with two different levels of brightness. They look the part, real boat candy!
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Old 01-02-2016, 09:18   #7
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

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Originally Posted by Dockhead View Post
Thanks.

I replaced all the halogen with LED years ago, but some of the Cantalupi fixtures are loose because of broken tangs. I just want to get rid of them.

I'll look at the links you provided; thanks.
I understand, I did the same thing with the halogen reading lights on our boat, they were cheaply made so we replaced them with Imtra lights.

The other brand I could not think if yesterday was Apex lights, check them out too.

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Old 01-02-2016, 10:33   #8
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

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Originally Posted by svfinnishline View Post
They are not cheap but, I used the Lopolight PN400-123's. They used to offer them in combinations of white/red or white/white with two different levels of brightness. They look the part, real boat candy!
Very pretty, but 200 euros each -- yowza!! I have about 30 of them in my boat -- 6000 euros!

Thank God they are too small (overall diameter 65mm) so I couldn't be tempted!
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 01-02-2016, 12:18   #9
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

We had a customer switch from cantalupi to I2 lights. I believe the cut out is close but slightly different. This was on a line of new boats a few years ago.
Apeiron™ Recessed LED | Waterproof LED Lighting – i2Systems

As mentioned IMTRA is worth checking out as well.
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Old 01-02-2016, 14:23   #10
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

If you want to stay with downlighters then I suggest you visit your local electrical wholesaler.....the guys who supply electricians. There are bound to be simple but good quality fittings that will fit the existing holes and to which you then can fit LED reflector lamps. This type of thing: LED 12V MR16 Lamps - Toolstation

You may need some form of voltage stabiliser but as you already use LED lights you may already have this under control.

The fittings will be much cheaper than anything "designed" for yachts.

Cheers,

Mike
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Old 01-02-2016, 23:05   #11
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by captmikecoin View Post
If you want to stay with downlighters then I suggest you visit your local electrical wholesaler.....the guys who supply electricians. There are bound to be simple but good quality fittings that will fit the existing holes and to which you then can fit LED reflector lamps. This type of thing: LED 12V MR16 Lamps - Toolstation

You may need some form of voltage stabiliser but as you already use LED lights you may already have this under control.

The fittings will be much cheaper than anything "designed" for yachts.

Cheers,

Mike
I think I mentioned that I do have some MR16 fixtures now.

MR16 LED bulb units (and G4 ones) are available with buck regulators built in so they can take any voltage from 10v to 33v, so you don't need any other voltage regulation.

The problem with MR16 is that they are very deep and don't fit everywhere. Plus they are uncovered, so no good anywhere there is a risk of a splash.

So some shallow marine type units are also needed.
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 18-02-2016, 19:02   #12
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

I could sure use some help with suggestions on getting them out without destroying the headliner. I did break the first couple but I found if you take a pair of needle nose pliers and bend the edge of the coil spring over it will catch and hold the light in.
I also included a picture of a replacement spring assembly that may work.
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Old 19-02-2016, 05:32   #13
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

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Originally Posted by waltdrechsler View Post
I could sure use some help with suggestions on getting them out without destroying the headliner. I did break the first couple but I found if you take a pair of needle nose pliers and bend the edge of the coil spring over it will catch and hold the light in.
I also included a picture of a replacement spring assembly that may work.
I eventually learned to get them out intact.

You tension one of the springs by holding it against the cutout as you withdraw the fixture. With your finger push up the other one, the jam it in against the cutout. Once both springs are held back against the cutout, you can gently work it out.

But they are utter carp and best thrown in the trash, if you can find a decent replacement.
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 19-02-2016, 12:37   #14
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Re: Replacement for Cantalupi Downlights?

You may want to have a look at the Prebit Lamps. Not cheap, but cheaper than Lopolight and excellent quality.

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