Spreader Light Question

captain465 · 05-08-2009, 18:48

Although I know that almost everyone's spreader lights are the "white" lights that are most common, is anyone of the mind that there might be some validity to consider RED lenses for them???
It seems to me that when you most need the spreader lights on, it is obviously dark,and you are underway, destroying night vision with white light does not seem like a good idea............I would like to find other opinions regarding this....

Badsanta · 05-08-2009, 19:44

Sounds good to me. Maybe a LED truck break light.

**David M** · 05-08-2009, 19:49

For the helmsman and lookout:

Lights off...

Lights on....

Seriously though, it sounds like an idea worth trying.

SkiprJohn · 05-08-2009, 22:57

Could red spreader lights be confused with running lights? If so then maybe not a good idea.
Regards,
JohnL

Wotname · 06-08-2009, 02:33

There are some previous threads on night vision and there is a strong body of evidence that the best light for NOT destroying night vision is very low intensity WHITE light (Gord might remember the links

). Red light was historically used as it is by nature reasonably low intensity but one needs more red light than white light to see the same.

This being so, all you need to do is fit a dimmer to your spreader lights and adjust up from very dim until you just have enough light to carry out your task. Night vision remains safe.

Martinini · 06-08-2009, 20:11

What about Blue?

**David M** · 06-08-2009, 20:18

I have read and tend to believe that red has less of an effect of closing down your pupils than blue. Your pupils opening up is how you get your night vision. Different colors have different effects at closing down your pupils with the higher frequencies having more of an effect for an equivalent intensity. The human eye is most sensitive to the green frequencies....but sensitivity is different than at what frequency the pupil starts closing down.

davidschiff · 06-08-2009, 22:42

try this link, good info
The Eye and Night Vision

davidschiff · 06-08-2009, 22:48

i replaced the courtesy lights just above the cabin sole w red leds
Superbright LEDs[ no affiliation etc]. great selection.
over the chart table i did use automotive red LED brake light module. its bright.
I put white LEDs inside all the lockers w magnetic reed switches, and in the frdge as well so it defeats night vision.. but sure is nice to see in the black holes. the acrlyic over the engine panel is clear and horrible at night so ive gotta change that plastic piece. sorry somewhat off topic of spreaders.
david

captain465 · 07-08-2009, 06:00

Skiper John,
Since spreader lights are oriented "down", I don't believe that there would be any conflict with the "rules" regarding running lights.........they would only be on for a relitively short duration in any case.

GordMay · 07-08-2009, 06:28

Whichever colour light you choose, to preserve your night vision, you want to use the dimmest light possible, whilst still providing enough to safely perform the desired task.

**David M** · 07-08-2009, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidschiff

try this link, good info
The Eye and Night Vision

That's a great article David. Thanks. Well worth it for a sailor to read since so much of a sailors safety depends on vision, especially vision at night.

iiii · 07-08-2009, 09:48

Wear your sunglasses

GordMay · 07-08-2009, 10:14

Extremely dim light of any colour will preserve night vision, since that what night vision is for - for seeing in extremely dim light. At these EXTREMELY dim levels, blue-green is the light wavelength we are most sensitive to, and therefore can be used at lower intensity levels than any other extremely dim colour.

Red light preserves night vision, at a higher intensity level than any other colour, since the dim light elements of the eye are insensitive to red light. This allows you to operate more effectively with red light, as a result of the greater light intensity possible, and therefore more detailed perception of the environment by the red-sensitive elements, of the eye without disrupting your night adaptation.

See also these very important articles:

Night Vision: The Red Myth
➥ Night Vision - The Red Myth

Green or Red for Better Night Vision?
➥ EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm) - Green or Red for Better Night Vision?

Cheechako · 07-08-2009, 13:24

not sure that red will project well enough to the deck.

05-08-2009, 18:48	#1
captain465 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stony Point, NY Boat: 38ft Irwin center cockpit sloop MERIDIAN Posts: 162	Spreader Light Question Although I know that almost everyone's spreader lights are the "white" lights that are most common, is anyone of the mind that there might be some validity to consider RED lenses for them??? It seems to me that when you most need the spreader lights on, it is obviously dark,and you are underway, destroying night vision with white light does not seem like a good idea............I would like to find other opinions regarding this.... __________________ Do not go where the path may lead......... go instead where there is no path........ and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson

05-08-2009, 19:44	#2
Badsanta Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: virginia Boat: islandpacket Posts: 372	Sounds good to me. Maybe a LED truck break light. __________________ That derelict boat was another dream for somebody else, don't let it be your nightmare and a waste of your life.

05-08-2009, 19:49	#3
David M Moderator Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Boat: research vessel Posts: 4,660	For the helmsman and lookout: Lights off... Lights on.... Seriously though, it sounds like an idea worth trying. __________________ David Where land ends life begins. Last edited by David M; 05-08-2009 at 19:52.

06-08-2009, 02:33	#5
Wotname Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Boat: Van DeStat Super Dogger 31' Posts: 1,250	There are some previous threads on night vision and there is a strong body of evidence that the best light for NOT destroying night vision is very low intensity WHITE light (Gord might remember the links ). Red light was historically used as it is by nature reasonably low intensity but one needs more red light than white light to see the same. This being so, all you need to do is fit a dimmer to your spreader lights and adjust up from very dim until you just have enough light to carry out your task. Night vision remains safe. __________________ All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangereous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence

06-08-2009, 20:18	#7
David M Moderator Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Boat: research vessel Posts: 4,660	I have read and tend to believe that red has less of an effect of closing down your pupils than blue. Your pupils opening up is how you get your night vision. Different colors have different effects at closing down your pupils with the higher frequencies having more of an effect for an equivalent intensity. The human eye is most sensitive to the green frequencies....but sensitivity is different than at what frequency the pupil starts closing down. __________________ David Where land ends life begins.

05-08-2009, 22:57	#4
SkiprJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kea'au, Big Island, Hawaii Boat: Cascade, Cutter, 42 - "Casual" Posts: 5,195	Could red spreader lights be confused with running lights? If so then maybe not a good idea. Regards, JohnL

06-08-2009, 20:11	#6
Martinini Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Whereever my boat is. Boat: Allied Princess 36' Posts: 146	What about Blue?

06-08-2009, 22:42	#8
davidschiff Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: napa ca Boat: shannon 43 ketch Celebration Posts: 20	try this link, good info The Eye and Night Vision

06-08-2009, 22:48	#9
davidschiff Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: napa ca Boat: shannon 43 ketch Celebration Posts: 20	i replaced the courtesy lights just above the cabin sole w red leds Superbright LEDs[ no affiliation etc]. great selection. over the chart table i did use automotive red LED brake light module. its bright. I put white LEDs inside all the lockers w magnetic reed switches, and in the frdge as well so it defeats night vision.. but sure is nice to see in the black holes. the acrlyic over the engine panel is clear and horrible at night so ive gotta change that plastic piece. sorry somewhat off topic of spreaders. david

07-08-2009, 06:00	#10
captain465 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stony Point, NY Boat: 38ft Irwin center cockpit sloop MERIDIAN Posts: 162	Skiper John, Since spreader lights are oriented "down", I don't believe that there would be any conflict with the "rules" regarding running lights.........they would only be on for a relitively short duration in any case. __________________ Do not go where the path may lead......... go instead where there is no path........ and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson

07-08-2009, 06:28	#11
GordMay Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 12,576	Whichever colour light you choose, to preserve your night vision, you want to use the dimmest light possible, whilst still providing enough to safely perform the desired task. __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

07-08-2009, 09:48	#13
iiii Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Boat: C & C Landfall 38 Posts: 88	Wear your sunglasses

07-08-2009, 10:14	#14
GordMay Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 12,576	Extremely dim light of any colour will preserve night vision, since that what night vision is for - for seeing in extremely dim light. At these EXTREMELY dim levels, blue-green is the light wavelength we are most sensitive to, and therefore can be used at lower intensity levels than any other extremely dim colour. Red light preserves night vision, at a higher intensity level than any other colour, since the dim light elements of the eye are insensitive to red light. This allows you to operate more effectively with red light, as a result of the greater light intensity possible, and therefore more detailed perception of the environment by the red-sensitive elements, of the eye without disrupting your night adaptation. See also these very important articles: Night Vision: The Red Myth ➥ Night Vision - The Red Myth Green or Red for Better Night Vision? ➥ EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm) - Green or Red for Better Night Vision? __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

07-08-2009, 13:24	#15
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	not sure that red will project well enough to the deck.

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