LED Navlights, Anyone tried these?

Markyboyo · 31 March 2011, 04:51

Just looking around for a replacement for the NASA Supernova all round white that has failed after 3 years and about 15 hours of use. I'm going to approach NASA about it as this sort of failure seems common after a very low number of hours but I'm not holding my breath.
I will prob try to fix it using some replacement components from RS but I came across these at seascrew:

http://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?N...-&l=0000000785

Anyone tried them yet? I already have some of the Austrailian Pt/Stbd lights which still work perfectly so I am also going to search Ebay.au to see what I can find there too.

Mark

Cookee · 31 March 2011, 07:49

The yachty lot over on YBW have had a few things to say about Supernova's, one of the potential causes is some types of battery charger spiking the circuit whilst the lights are on?

Markyboyo · 31 March 2011, 09:24

I've read all of that stuff too....Only thing that could cause a spike on mine would be starting the engine as no other charger has been used when the battery is in the boat. They come apart easily enough so I will get the multimeter out and see what's what.

shame as it was really really bright when it was working. Only half of the LEDs work now and they are half the brightness they used to be!

boristhebold · 01 April 2011, 08:41

How funny, im in exactly the same position, my all round white light failed last weekend. Ive been to a couple of shops but can't find an exact replacement, there seems to be a lot of LED type replacements lamps but I would prefer the normal bulb type.

Markyboyo · 02 April 2011, 03:24

I'm tempted to go back to normal bulbs if I can't get the Nova working again. The Leds are nice when I go camping and leave the white on all night. No worries about flat batteries.

Other option is a normal navlight but with an Led bulb in it so I can replace it when I need to.

Not wanting to have more holes appearing in my Aframe every couple of years as the lamps crap out and get replaced!

Channel Ribs · 02 April 2011, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markyboyo

I'm going to approach NASA about it as this sort of failure seems common after a very low number of hours but I'm not holding my breath.

Anything back from NASA yet? It will make for an interesting direct comparison with Hella Marine who replaced Erin's lights out of warranty when a known fault was suggested.

Markyboyo · 02 April 2011, 08:27

Still haven't got in touch with them yet, Been out of the country for the past 6 weeks. I will drop them an email just as soon as I get home. I'm certainly very sceptical about buying another if they only last a few hours!

Rodan · 02 April 2011, 10:54

I bought some from an online place in Oz and they are excellent, much brighter and smarter than the old Hella ones....

Hightower · 02 April 2011, 12:15

I mentioned on another thread about LED nav light a few weeks ago, and how brilliant the ones from OZ were.

When I came back into port last weekend I had to use my lights for the first time this year. The Port side one is playing up and now only half the LED's work

so not so impressed anymore.

Markyboyo · 03 May 2011, 18:54

FYI guys I emailed NASA and they have asked me to return the light and they will "inspect and repair it as necessary". I'll post back with how it pans out but it is looking promising so far....

BruceB · 03 May 2011, 19:58

I have one of the ARW lights on the seascrew website. Worked perfectly for the last three years.
I have just fitted a EM230 with a ARW lazilas light on top and to convert it to LED I cut out the module and potted into the lazilas. Seems still to work fine and now its even better potted than it was originally.......

Eddy Stone · 03 May 2011, 19:59

I had a port and starboard set of Hella Naviled 1nM Navigation lights and both have failed within 15 months of purchase. I replaced the port one with a 2nM one at end of 2010 and now the starboard one has failed. Quite disappointed with the short life of these. They have been used extremely infrequently on my rib and they just do not seem of the quality I was expecting. I have emailed Hella but had no response which again is disappointing.
I wonder if this is a common complaint of this product?
Many thanks

willk · 03 May 2011, 20:37

This is becoming a theme on here - i.e. failed LED nav lights.

Personally, I'll be sticking with incandescent bulbs for Navigation Lights. A spare bulb set and a bit of fine sandpaper will sort any problem they can have, sod the extra few watts they burn. With a fecked LED cluster, you have no quick fix to hand.

Hightower · 03 May 2011, 21:22

I've investigated the source of my failure and it's water ingress. The chrome reflector has no more chrome on it as it's turned black and only half the LEDs work. The circuit board is encased in resin, but it can't be that well sealed! I'm going to exract the board carefully this coming week with a dremmel and see whats going on there, I'll report back any findings.

spartacus · 05 May 2011, 22:07

Anyone any experience of Perko LED lights? They look like the dog's danglies, but I was quoted an 8 week wait for a 48" stern light pole, as it has to be shipped in from the States.

Shipped in... I could paddle there and back bleed'n faster!

BruceB · 08 May 2011, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

This is becoming a theme on here - i.e. failed LED nav lights.

Personally, I'll be sticking with incandescent bulbs for Navigation Lights. A spare bulb set and a bit of fine sandpaper will sort any problem they can have, sod the extra few watts they burn. With a fecked LED cluster, you have no quick fix to hand.

In all honesty I had my incandescent lamps fail regularly. Haven't had this issue on fitting LED lamps over three years ago, still going strong.

martini · 08 May 2011, 14:03

I've got Aqua Signal S32 led nav lights. Stbd light failed near the end of their second season, fitted a new one then a week later the port side went

Trouble is I designed the a-frame to suit these lights so changing type would be a real pita

Pikey Dave · 08 May 2011, 21:07

I have a Lopolight all round white, still ok after 3 years, touch wood. I had to sell a kidney to buy it though

My Hella Stbd incandescent has failed twice in the same time.

willk · 08 May 2011, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

had to sell a kidney to buy it though

My Hella Stbd incandescent has failed twice in the same time.

Yes, and each time you sorted it handy and still kept the other kidney safe for the pub...

Pikey Dave · 08 May 2011, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Yes, and each time you sorted it handy and still kept the other kidney safe for the pub...

Well, when you put it like that.....