LED retrofit for flourescent cabin fixtures

RobertKnight · Apr-26-2008, 07:14 PM

Here's something Ive been tinkering with for my dads Skippy. the materials are a bit crude, but it makes for a very effective lighting alternative. The LED strip lights are available on E-bay, either in rolls or remnants, and draw so little energy you can run them on an alarm remote battery (see pic). These srtip lights are a great resource if you can get them cheap enough, and Im in the process of installing the bits and pieces I have left in the various drawers and cabinets in my pop's boat, on a single master access switch. If i ever get those done Ill add more pics.

The basic idea is that the flourescent guts are stripped out completely intact, so they can be reinstalled if the need ever arises. A layer of clear shipping tape is laid down over the aluminum body to prevent the possibility of water condensation ever causing a short. The rest is simple soldering of connections and addition of a replacement pushbutton switch. The old lens diffuses the light very well so you dont get that LED 'row of dots' effect.

Outlawman · Apr-26-2008, 07:55 PM

Sweet & good thinking. Can you take a pic in the dark with it on and post it? Any idea if it is as bright as the flourescent?

RobertKnight · Apr-26-2008, 09:04 PM

Here's some darktime pics. Not sure if its totally the same lumen output as the flourescent (neither worked at the time) but its certainly bright enough to cook by. I think the power savings is worth it.

Surg · Apr-26-2008, 10:15 PM

Very cool! What kind of draw?

Double Z · Apr-26-2008, 10:36 PM

That's sweet! I'm sitting under my LED anchor light right now. It's amazing how much brighter they are and how much less draw. I'm planning on converting everything to LED. More piece of mind on the water.

RobertKnight · Apr-26-2008, 11:48 PM

I'm not sure of the total draw, but Im using a 12 volt car alarm remote battery to test them (see pic) so I'd guess its pretty low. If i can get my meter to register a milliamp rating I'll share the info.

Got Wasabi · Apr-27-2008, 10:11 AM

Has anyone found a LED replacement for spreader lights? I've done my nav lights and they work great. Those spreader lights are an unbelievable draw...

Dirtguy · Apr-28-2008, 02:19 PM

Where did you get the navlights?

Colored as well? Grn and Red?

DG

Surg · May-12-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got Wasabi

Has anyone found a LED replacement for spreader lights? I've done my nav lights and they work great. Those spreader lights are an unbelievable draw...

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How's this for you?

Bogii · May-12-2008, 01:41 AM

How much DICK weed?????$

looks great how many Lumens?

Thanks for all the help surge
c u this summer in PV MX

Bogii

Surg · May-12-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogii

How much DICK weed?????$

looks great how many Lumens?

Thanks for all the help surge
c u this summer in PV MX

Bogii

$180 Ret + Shipping & Tax.
594 Lumens.
Total end foot candels= 2525cd/15° 1069cd/40° 208cd/95°
The tighter the beam the brighter the light.

Anything else Puskweener!

piperca · May-12-2008, 09:42 PM

I have a question.

How do you retrofit architectural landscape lighting, like the one posted above, for the marine environment?

I think what you're looking for is more along these lines. A couple of websites are showing a price of around $150.