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Old 31-07-2008, 05:23   #1
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Night Lighting

We are still local cruisers, and I enjoy sailing at night because there are less people on the water.
My eyes are still young enought to adjust well to the night, but I am blinded when a light it turned on down below or in the cockpit.

I want to install some red lights down below, and a "log light" in the cockpit.

I was thining of going LED to save on the amps, but was wondering what everone else out there did, and how much you find the red helps?

tnx again for imparting your opinions... dare I call it wisdom?
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Old 31-07-2008, 06:35   #2
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We did the same when preparing for some racing requiring us to be offshore at night.

We used the small white cased rectangular REDs in the cockpit. They are mounted to the instrument box at the binnacle.

We also used similar LEDs for the companion way steps and in front of the head.

Lastly, we put in a combination LED white /red dome lights at the galley and nav station. The nav station also has a white / red flourescent that we keep on all the time.
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Old 31-07-2008, 07:28   #3
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FWIW, night vision is "eye dependant", that is to say if one eye is shut and the other is exposed to bright white light, only the eye exposed loses its night vision. At a pinch, you can shut one eye and use the other if you need to duck below and use a white light. Not as good as fitting some red lights of course.
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Old 31-07-2008, 07:52   #4
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Sailorsams sell 12v. and 24v. red LED rope lights . I mounted the ropes under the edge of the couters in the main cabin and around the edge of the bunks in the staerooms. They provide an even red glow through indirect lighting.
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Old 31-07-2008, 10:35   #5
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FYI See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tion-3711.html

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Old 31-07-2008, 10:53   #6
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I bought a little "mini" LED flashlight with a cord for hanging it around my neck. Comes in handy when you want to preserve your night vision, either at the wheel, or down below reading a chart or looking for gear.

This isn't the one I bought (lost the link), but this is the idea: Company Seven | Rigel Systems Skylite Mini - Red/White LED Flashlight
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Old 31-07-2008, 12:37   #7
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I find that most red lighting although red, is still too bright. On my boat I went to Tap Plastics and bought some clear red plastic and cut it to size which helped to dim it down even more.
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Old 31-07-2008, 12:37   #8
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I have a switch in the cockpit instrument cluster, called "NIGHT LIGHTS". When I want to go grab a bite, find my jacket, use the head, all of those little things that keep you happy on watch, I press the switch. It turns on a whole bunch of little red LEDs (some brighter than others) at the companionway steps, at "toe-stubber" locations, floor lighting in the head and galley, and other locations where I will want a brief, non-distracting light to orient myself or do some critical function (like find the cookie jar). It doesn't wake the off-watch, nor make the boat feel like a submarine about to surface. It uses teeny amounts of current, and gets switched off in the cockpit when I get back.
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Old 31-07-2008, 12:46   #9
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The color of the light is not as important as the intensity. The Air Force did a study that found blue light had the least effect on night vision but balancing the light in the cockpit to the ambient light is more critical. Every time you look from in the cockpit to out side your eyes have to adjust to the changing light. The closer the light is balanced the less your eyes have to work and the less tired your eyes get. You’re better to add a rheostat to the lights so you can adjust the intensity.

I was a night freight pilot for 18 years and have had tons of training on the subject.

Tim
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Old 31-07-2008, 13:16   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zephyr's Aura View Post
The color of the light is not as important as the intensity... Tim
Night Vision ~ The Red Myth
http://stlplaces.com/night_vision_red_myth/

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Old 31-07-2008, 15:30   #11
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Great reference Gord. Thanks.
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Old 01-08-2008, 02:16   #12
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Thanks for imparting some great wisdom all. I will now be able to make the adjustments I am looking for.
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Old 05-08-2008, 12:38   #13
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i can cheat, i have a higher end night vision monocular that is not magnified at all. the only problem is i look silly with a bike helmet and night vision attached, but i can see in very dark conditions just fine
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Old 09-08-2008, 20:20   #14
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pirate And pirates wore patches

so during the daytime....if they went below....they could uncover the eye and be able to find the rum, booty, or BOO-TAY!!!!!There should be a good pirate smilie

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Originally Posted by Wotname View Post
FWIW, night vision is "eye dependant", that is to say if one eye is shut and the other is exposed to bright white light, only the eye exposed loses its night vision. At a pinch, you can shut one eye and use the other if you need to duck below and use a white light. Not as good as fitting some red lights of course.
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