Changing to LEDs

[bdurham]

im no electrician, but im wondering how hard it would be to change an older boats lighting system to a newer led system to save on energy. what is required in doing this and would a someone with not much experience be able to figure it out by himself, or would an experienced electrician be required?

[Palarran]

It's so easy, even an electrician could do it!!

Just get replacement bulbs. If you use Amazon.com for anything they have a large selection. I have saved about 50% over buying them at a supply house. My boat takes g4 sockets and either side or back mount. You want to get the designation WW for warm light. Here is one of the LED's I'm using.
Amazon.com: G4 Base Side with 9 SMD LED Side Pin Warm White, 10-32V, 1117WW: Automotive

[Palarran]

Here's another:

Amazon.com: Tower Type G4 12v Ac/dc 15 LED Holagen Bulb Replacemnt for Rv Camper Trailer Boat Marine 1.44 Watt 105 Lumen Warm White 1411ww: Automotive

[bdurham]

so there is no need for running new wiring?

[svcambria]

These days LED lights are made to fit in older, existing bulb sockets, but they have the problem of needing correction from varying voltages (does that sound like something you might get on a boat?) to survive. The straight bulb replacement won't last. Check out, for instance, Bebi electronics (in Fiji) for some options and a better explanation:

Bebi Electronics-Home of the Finest Marine LED Lighting Products on Sea (or Earth)!

Michael

[svcambria]

Originally Posted by bdurham

so there is no need for running new wiring?

The LED lights require less current than incandescent bulbs so existing wiring (if in decent shape) would be more than adequate...

Michael

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by svcambria

they have the problem of needing correction from varying voltages (does that sound like something you might get on a boat?) to survive. The straight bulb replacement won't last.

I haven't seen or heard of this before. Do you have any other sources of information? The bulbs they sell at Budget Marine, the largest chandlery in the Caribbean, are the same as those sold on Amazon. I bought my first 5 from them for $18/per. Now I'm getting them for around $11.

I will say one thing - they cut my power use down HUGE. It really is great technology.

[Palarran]

If you don't need the warm white, these are a really good deal:

SolidApollo.com- Extensive LED lighting Catalogue. On line sale and distribution of LED lighting products

[Lancerbye]

For all inside lighting I have been using led lamps from RONA at $10 a piece. I just modify the socket to fit. They work great. More light than with the florescents I had, with huge power savings. These things are guaranteed for 10 years. The varying voltage does not harm them unless the top end voltage is so high that the current in the LEDs destroys them. Haven't seen this happen yet. (2 years now) I am a retired electrician and even I can do this. I have also been using the ones in the salon on a dimmer.

[svcambria]

Probably not a real "deal breaker" but here is the explanation of why one wants current regulation (sorry, not voltage regulation) from one of the marine LED light manufacturers:

Bebi Ultrabright White LED Marine, RV, and Off-Grid Light Bulb Assemblies

Just a satisfied customer...

Michael