Replacing Halogens spots with LED

[fractionMan]

I've been looking at the power consumption and (6x20w) = 12a per hour. (at least this is a calc I've seen someone else use)

I estimate I can put in about 60 amps an hour running the engine, meaning 5 hours of lights = 1 hour of engine at the moment I had no idea it was that bad.

replacing the lot with 2w leds (yeah, I know, not as bright) would make it 50 hours = 1 hour of engine! Who built the boat with such massive power draining lights

 

[gentlegreen]

replacing the lot with 2w leds (yeah, I know, not as bright) would make it 50 hours = 1 hour of engine! Who built the boat with such massive power draining lights

Presumably they used to hook up when they were moored ?

I would go for PIR switching, and task lighting. General lighting is a luxury.
You could buy a shed-load of small LEDs (cheap when bought by the 100 from Hong Kong) and use them to light obstacles and exit routes etc ... it's going to be important to be able to evacuate in the dark anyway ...

 

[fractionMan]

Presumably they used to hook up when they were moored ?

I would go for PIR switching, and task lighting. General lighting is a luxury.
You could buy a shed-load of small LEDs (cheap when bought by the 100 from Hong Kong) and use them to light obstacles and exit routes etc ... it's going to be important to be able to evacuate in the dark anyway ...

This is one of the main problems I've found. I try to leave only one set on, but moving back and forth through the boat involves turning on and off all the time. Perhaps I'll get some sort of led ropelight and run it down the gunwales.

 

[fractionMan]

Bargain?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-x-12v-38-Le...ulbs?hash=item2302ad2660&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-x-12V-38-Le...in_0?hash=item255616b5eb&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
8 2watt 12v bulbs for £30 including packaging. 3.75 each. (urgh cool white - I'm sure he's got warm too)

 

[paolo]

Bargain?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-x-12v-38-Le...ulbs?hash=item2302ad2660&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-x-12V-38-Le...in_0?hash=item255616b5eb&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
8 2watt 12v bulbs for £30 including packaging. 3.75 each. (urgh cool white - I'm sure he's got warm too)

Does it say how many lumens they are? (Can't see - ebay blocked at work)

 

[gentlegreen]

Does it say how many lumens they are? (Can't see - ebay blocked at work)

The advert claims they're equivalent to a 20 watt halogen - which is bollocks.

I bought a couple of very similar lamps for my bike - on red, one white, but they weren't up to the job.
I have 4 x 4-ish watt LED lamps on my bike.

Perhaps I'll dig them out and hook them up at home to see if they're any use.

I reckon you need 7 to 9 watts to not feel like you're camping - and that's best supplied with a small CFL.

If I was stuck with limited power, I would concentrate all my watts into one useful lamp.

I have to fix one of my PIR security lights soon - I'll have a look to see if the PIR unit will run from 12 volts. Purpose-made "occupancy sensors" are stupidly expensive.

 

[derf]

I've replaced the position lights on my motorbike with LEDs. I've added a pair of red LED clusters to the back and a white on on the front. Hellishly bright that bugger is but not good enough for a headlanp.
I understand there is talk of Honda producing an all LED motorbike soon.