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Old 27-09-2020, 01:02   #1
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Solar Anchor Light

Does anyone have a Solar (masthead) Anchor Light they would recommend?

Automatic on / off, with remote override for sailing?

I want to reduce wires in the mast.

Thanks
Paul
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Old 27-09-2020, 01:11   #2
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

But you already have wires in the mast right? LEDs use 0.1ah ...your solution above will cause more maintenance and reliability issues over time. Also might not be bright enough for Colregs
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Old 27-09-2020, 01:12   #3
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

You will have a problem when it is cloudy which would break colregs
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Old 27-09-2020, 01:14   #4
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuss View Post
But you already have wires in the mast right? LEDs use 0.1ah ...your solution above will cause more maintenance and reliability issues over time. Also might not be bright enough for Colregs
Objective is to remove 100% of wires from mast.

Starting with wind instruments (wireless) and anchor light.

Radar I am thinking about. There is WiFi radar now, so maybe only need power which can be unplugged.

VHF is the last hassle.
Plan there is two antennas. Only connect masthead antenna when needed.
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Old 27-09-2020, 02:21   #5
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

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Originally Posted by Fuss View Post
But you already have wires in the mast right? LEDs use 0.1ah
In how long?
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Old 27-09-2020, 02:25   #6
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

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Objective is to remove 100% of wires from mast.
What are you going to do about a masthead (aka steaming) light?
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Old 27-09-2020, 02:29   #7
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

An anchor light doesn't have to be on the mast or permanently mounted.

You can just hoist an all round white light "where it can best be seen".
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Old 27-09-2020, 02:38   #8
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

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In how long?


Sorry, did I say something not clear here?
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Old 27-09-2020, 02:44   #9
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

Plan B is to run mast on isolated power - DC to DC converter (48-12) with very light gauge 48v wires and a small 12v battery

All data (excl VHF) to wireless
Switching of 6-8 channels also wireless

Leaves only 2 wires as a "fuse" for lightning, but still allows 12v power.

Also could be easily bypassed if equipment failure.
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Old 27-09-2020, 03:24   #10
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

you don't really need your anchor light on the masthead

just get a battery powered LED camping lantern and pull it up 5-10m on a halyard.

or plenty of folk around here use solar LED garden lights. not really bright enough and don't last for more than 6 months or so, but better than nothing

cheers,
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Old 27-09-2020, 03:27   #11
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuss View Post
Sorry, did I say something not clear here?
An ah (amp hour) is an amount of energy consumed. It is NOT a rate of energy consumption. Actually, it is not even an amount of energy, since how much energy it represents (i.e. watt hours) depends on the voltage.

Hence, does the light consume 0.1 Ah (presumably at 12V) overnight or in one hour or in 1 minute?

If you are going to post advice on electrical matters, you really should be able to use the correct units.
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Old 27-09-2020, 03:34   #12
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuss View Post
Sorry, did I say something not clear here?
Unclear yes, incorrect? Well that depends on what you were saying which is unclear!

Ah is a unit of energy which will continue to grow with time - if you say LED's use 0.1Ah then you would need to say how long it takes to consume that energy - 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month?
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Old 27-09-2020, 03:36   #13
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

Oops, answered while I was typing.
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Old 27-09-2020, 04:55   #14
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

Quote:
Originally Posted by StuM View Post
An ah (amp hour) is an amount of energy consumed. It is NOT a rate of energy consumption. Actually, it is not even an amount of energy, since how much energy it represents (i.e. watt hours) depends on the voltage.

Hence, does the light consume 0.1 Ah (presumably at 12V) overnight or in one hour or in 1 minute?

If you are going to post advice on electrical matters, you really should be able to use the correct units.
Could you write the exact units to use assuming that the light at 12v uses .1ah (amp hour)
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Old 27-09-2020, 05:24   #15
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Re: Solar Anchor Light

If it draws 1 amp it would use 1Ah in 1 hour, 2Ah in 2 hours, 3Ah in 3 hours etc....
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