Blinded by the light

[dsiekman]

Re: Blinded by the light

I've posted this pic before, but in the interest of not having to remember when and where...the attached is my dash with blue led's

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Blinded by the light

Have the same issues, helm lights way to bright!!!

Thanks to this thread I plan on blue or red LEDs with a dimmer switch...

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Blinded by the light

I boat into my cabin at night all of the time, going up again on Sunday! When I got my new boat I had the same problem. I just bought a nice toggle switch from the automotive store and hooked it up to the dash light wire. It's great.

I rarely need to see anything on the dash board so I couldn't think of a reason to mess with a dimmer, but I suppose there is nothing wrong with it. On the rare occasion that I want to verify my speed, RPMs, or fuel status, I just flip on the light for a second and then turn it back off. The lights look really cool but I can't think of any good reason to have them on.

 

[Turn-n-Burn]

Re: Blinded by the light

or a map light......http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0P234M2JESY1MWHY9Y75

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Blinded by the light

I rarely need to see anything on the dash board so I couldn't think of a reason to mess with a dimmer, but I suppose there is nothing wrong with it. On the rare occasion that I want to verify my speed, RPMs, or fuel status, I just flip on the light for a second and then turn it back off. The lights look really cool but I can't think of any good reason to have them on.

I guess I just don't have that kind of confidence in my engines. I like to keep an eye on temp, oil pressure, and engine synchro.

 

[gdombroski]

Re: Blinded by the light

If you go red or blue you won't need the dimmer.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Blinded by the light

I like red, it's the best for retaining night vision, however many emergency vehicles/boats will use blue since blood is too hard to recognize under red light.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Blinded by the light

I guess I just don't have that kind of confidence in my engines. I like to keep an eye on temp, oil pressure, and engine synchro.

Yep, they put lights on the gauges for a reason.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Blinded by the light

All my gauges came OEM with red bulbs. No need for a dimmer switch. The LCD displays create 5 times the problem.

I had one of my gauge lights burn out a while ago and was able to pick one up at corner service station. Set me back $1.50 if I remember correclty.

My helm light is pretty neat too. The light supports two light bulbs. Push the button once, I get a white light. Push the button a second time and I get a red light.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Blinded by the light

The LCD displays create 5 times the problem.


My helm is is pretty neat too. The light suports two light bulbs. Push the button once, I get a white light. Push the button a second time and I get a red light.

+1 on the LCD. I have a Garmin 4208 and the thing is blinding at night.

The gauge package you have sounds really cool! Any pics?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Blinded by the light

Have the same issues, helm lights way to bright!!!

Thanks to this thread I plan on blue or red LEDs with a dimmer switch...

I don't think regular dimmers work properly with LEDs.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Blinded by the light

Just by adding red, blue, green tint to a lamp, you reduce the light output, by 30-40%.
No, you can't use a conventional dimmer on an LED.

 

[Ronder]

Re: Blinded by the light

Very good thread gentleman! I hate my white lights in my console. Have used the towel method but am going for new red bulbs.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Blinded by the light

Someone (Faria, I think) sells a red 'condom' that simply slips over the OEM white bulbs...problem solved, and unlike the standard condom, is reusable!

Happy boating!

 

[rwidman]

Re: Blinded by the light

No, you can't use a conventional dimmer on an LED.

If you reduce the voltage to an LED it will be dimmer. You might have to experiment.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Blinded by the light

I guess I just don't have that kind of confidence in my engines. I like to keep an eye on temp, oil pressure, and engine synchro.

I'm sorry to hear that. The reality is that many boats don't have much for gauges these days. My dash has speedo, tach, gas, and voltage. Everything else is a dummy light (oil/temp/etc). Why would you need to see those while underway at night? You shouldn't be going fast enough to break any speed limits. You should at some point learn to correlate the sound of the motor with speed and not need the tach. If you didn't know your fuel levels before you left, that's bad captaining. Who drives at night looking at their volt meter?

Honestly, none of those gauges are needed when boating at night. You should be concentrating on locating other boats, obstructions, and finding your way to the intended destination. I told the OP to put a switch on so he could check those things as needed. I'd much rather be safe than know what speed I'm going.