LED Navigation light bulbs indented base

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

In my case, I do very little night boating, and when I saw the price of LED nav light fittings I nearly fainted. You can change many old style filament bulbs for price of LED.

If I did lots of passages at night, then I can see the benefit maybe, but when I use them for only a few hours per year, I don't think it's worth it for me.

On a RIB/motor boat where the engine is always running whilst passage making (one hopes!), I don't particularly see the need for LED's anyway. For me, the main benefit is energy saving, which doesn't really cont for much when you have an engine running. Some of the modern (expensive) LED ones look much trendier and sleeker, but my Ribtec doesn't really need that. Maybe on a Goldfish or something...

We have swapped to LED fittings for everything all over the sailing yacht, including nav lights, as we do quite a lot of overnight passages on longer cruises, and the much lower draw of the LED's whilst under sail alone makes a massive difference.

But on my RIB, similarly - even though I do use it at night, personally I'm still happy with the AquaSignal's and filament bulbs, and haven't bothered with the expense and hassle of upgrading!

[Pikey Dave]

I fitted LEDs when I rigged the current boat from scratch. I’d had so much grief with the previous boat’s nav lights that I bit the bullet. They’ve been on 5 years now & never been touched. So for me, that justifies the slight extra expense.

[paulbrown22]

Agreed - if I was starting again from scratch with a brand new build (whether RIB, sailing yacht, motor boat, etc), I'd absolutely fit some good quality LED nav lights (and indeed all lights as LED!) - in the grand scheme of a new build makes very little difference cost-wise compared to other decisions you'll be making.

I just can't find a massive reason to bother swapping the existing ones on my RIB, potentially needing different mounting holes, new wiring runs through the stainless tubing, etc. Maybe I'm lucky though that I replaced some bulbs/wiring when I first bought it 8 years ago, and not had any lighting issues since - they are tucked away around the T-top framework and don't really get wet or knocked.

But who knows - if a lockdown continues for too long I might be looking for more jobs to do on the RIB.

[leehebs]

all interest points gents, thankyou. I was only looking as the bulb was dead anyway so had the idea to change to leds to lower power draw. I think reading I stick with what I have , if I can find the indented bulbs.

[Davie]

Originally Posted by leehebs

all interest points gents, thankyou. I was only looking as the bulb was dead anyway so had the idea to change to leds to lower power draw. I think reading I stick with what I have , if I can find the indented bulbs.

It’s easy to sort out. You have the bulbs with the indents at each but all you can find is the type with the points at each end? Take a 4mm drill and drill out your holder so the points fit in the holes, job done!

[Old Spice]

[leehebs]

Originally Posted by Davie

It’s easy to sort out. You have the bulbs with the indents at each but all you can find is the type with the points at each end? Take a 4mm drill and drill out your holder so the points fit in the holes, job done!

Now that is an interesting idea , thanks

[leehebs]

Originally Posted by Old Spice

Attachment 133146

thanks just order a couple

[spartacus]

Upgraded mine with red and green festoon LEDs on Osculati lights.

Filament bulbs are unpredictable at the best of times. I rarely have navigation lights on, but if I do then have experienced failure on at least one on ocassion.

Apologies for the boat, everything is getting dumped in her or on her just now.