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CSY Man · 14-02-2016, 14:34

Work light on a new power boat.
12 Volt, 55 watts.
Trying to find a matching LED bulb to save power as I usually hang
out at anchor. No luck so far. The dealer is no help.
Anybody?

Hartleyg · 14-02-2016, 15:25

Hi CSY,

That looks like an H3 bulb size, though you should take it down to the auto parts store and compare to be sure. They are very common in driving lights, bed lights and the like. You can find LED replacements, but they may not be as bright as the 55w Halogen you have now (sold as "DRL bulbs"). Another possibility would be to buy a complete LED flood light assembly, as they aren't all that expensive anymore.

Hartley
S/V Atsa

glenn.225 · 14-02-2016, 15:37

You could try these:https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...led-tower/152/

Not sure how bright.

Stu Jackson · 14-02-2016, 15:38

You can find bulb replacements on most any LED marine vendor's website.

www.marinebeam.com is a good one.

Cruisingscotts · 14-02-2016, 16:03

You can probably find a bulb replacement but its ulikely to give you the same amount of light. LED spot and work lights are made to a specific range and pattern, a grid of LED's There are lots of good ones, Rigid industries makes a 20watt one that is comprable tothe 50watt halogen putting out 1500 lumens, not cheap but its a boat, and a power boat at that.

M-Series - Dually LED Light - Rigid Industries | Fisheries Supply

cabinboybob · 15-02-2016, 08:13

I've been on a mission to replace every bulb everywhere with LEDs. I have have not failed to find an LED replacement for any type of bulb on the boat. I even changed the level gauge backlighting bulbs with leds (pretty blue ones).

If you can carefully measure the bulb, there are size charts online with very specific measurements of lead spacing, length, overall length, diameter, etc.

Blaine · 15-02-2016, 08:29

Echo marinebeam.com. Jeff is an excellent resource and has helped me completely re-lamp my GB.

Rockyscience · 15-02-2016, 09:27

I have used these and like them, if you want to replace a 400W halogen.
The problem is you need a driver to use them on 125VAC or about 40VDC to get full output. They are sealed and very rugged and dimmable.

LMH2 LED Modules - Cree | Mouser

sailersteve · 15-02-2016, 10:28

I bought the LED's from superbrightled.com to interchange from Halogen and the LED's are not as bright and they also make like a flower pedal efect with light-dark light -dart circles in the beam . I've also bought a pair of Rigid spreader floods for around $200.00 and $35.00 ea for the 7/8" - 1" tube mounts they are nice and bright, but i found a pair of off brand spreader lights on ebay very close to the same as the Rigids only brighter and without dark spots in the beam for only $25.00 for the pair . Just make sure you can return if not happy with whatever you buy. Just saying .

glenn.225 · 15-02-2016, 10:37

Also if you did want to go the replacement route, tractor work lights are much less expensive than boat lights. Most are sealed as well.

CSY Man · 15-02-2016, 10:46

Thanks for all the replies Ladies and Gentlemen..

First Of all, yes If I could find a new light with the exact footprint I would install it. No such luck so far as the location on the hard Bimini Top is molded excatly for this light. Let's say the boat is built around the light.

Yes, I am looking for a bulb sizing guide. Have not found it yet, but started this process just a few days ago. Been to West Marine and looked at all their lights and bulbs, no cigar. Checked out a couple of LED web sites, no cigar and also asked around on the Glacier Bay Forum.

Part of the problem could be that the bulb is really one piece with, or soldered into the little silver base with wires on it:
I had to pull a bit to free the bulb, but perhaps it was not meant to be removed.
Still waiting to hear back from the factory but they have been busy at the Miami boat show, so has the dealer. Things should be back to normal soon however and I will try again.
As for an LED bulb giving less or different light than a halogen bulb: Yes of course and not a problem: I don't need a flood light on the aft deck as I don't fish. Nor do I need a hungry halogen bulb drawing 4-5 amp/hrs as I don't have a generator and only a small house bank.

Will take more pictures of the base, hoping some will recognize the base/bulb combo.
Thx again and keep it coming.

Hartleyg · 15-02-2016, 10:55

Hi Again CSY,

The H3 bulb includes the entire base (including a short wire) - take your assembly (base, bulb, etc.) to the auto-parts store and you should be able to confirm that it's a match. If it is, you will then be able to search for an appropriate replacement - though, as several others noted, a LED replacement likely won't be as bright as the 55-watt halogen you have.
There are, unfortunately, some good engineering reasons for this, centered around the need for cooling of the LED dies, which that form factor won't allow for. The ones I've seen run around 4-5 watts, which equals maybe 35 watts of halogen light.

73 DE Hartley

S/V Atsa

socaldmax · 15-02-2016, 10:58

I've bought quite a few LED replacements on Ebay, all have been the same or brighter than the bulb they replaced (mostly 1156s, some T10s.)

My recommendation is to measure the dimensions of the lens assembly you have, and look for an LED replacement on Ebay using multiple Cree LEDs that fits your housing/mount. You might end up with a 15 or 16 watt LED or possibly 20 watt assembly, but it will be equally as bright for a fraction of the power.