converting boat to LED's

[salty87]

ok, reading the post about LED trailer lights (sealed trailer lights), i'm thinking about switching to LED's on the boat.<br /><br />i'm looking for brighter lights that take less juice. i can count on my starting battery eventually succombing to the dead battery gods at night.<br /><br />i've seen LED lights but haven't converted anything so i'm not sure what issues i'll run into.<br /><br />does the 12v power supply need to be regulated differently?<br /><br />are there replacement type kits or do you have to put your own together from raw parts?<br /><br />need to run new wires?...i suspect the old, original wiring is adding to the battery drain.<br /><br />what about light poles, can you swap out the old bulbs for new LED's or is a new pole necessary?<br /><br />anyone done this?<br /><br />a lil' help please....<br /><br />thx

 

[salty87]

Re: converting boat to LED's

please move this out of the trailer section, forgot where i was<br /><br />thx

 

[JB]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Okay, Salty. <br /><br />Going to Boat Questions.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: converting boat to LED's

There needs to be a resistor with the LEDs. I couldn't tell you what value it would be. There are replacement LED units, for automotive use that plug into the bulb socket, are self contained with the proper resistor, and just pop right in. You may have to wire in a new socket to match the bulb, I am not sure the marine bulb socket and automotive bulb socket match in size and contact position. I had never thought to try this, it is a good idea. I may research it further. You could also go to Radio Shack and tell them what you propose, they may be able to hook you up with LEDs, the proper resistor value, and circuit panel to mount it all to, but I would check the automotive aftermarket first. Good luck...

 

[Mettaree]

Re: converting boat to LED's

salty : You can get an LED for your bow and stern lights, just insert in socket. I have a LED assy. inside my center console for night use. Check out Cabela's, thats where I got mine. The bulb for bow and stern you can get at Auto Zone. They draw about one tenth the power of a normal bulb. At Cabela's they also have walk around lights, recessed and surface mount. Plenty of stuff out there.<br />Jim

 

[kd6nem]

Re: converting boat to LED's

LED's are always a good idea if they are bright enough and can be seen from all the directions they need to be seen from. They do use a lot less juice, and do last far, far longer, period. Two unsolicited comments, though:<br />1. I will never trust someone down at any chain "electronics store" to tell me anything accurately. Some folks there are great and can practically design something, but most are absolutely clueless but won't admit it. Use a properly engineered device whenever possible unless you are able to truly engineer it yourself. If it fits the socket already and is designed for 12 volts it ought to be fine.<br /><br />2. If my battery is the real concern, especially if I run at night, I will be running a newer, properly maintained battery that I can trust, or at least carry an extra good, charged one in the boat if the old one is indeed old. Just no substitute for a trustworthy battery. If you are beginning to not trust it, get a new one.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: converting boat to LED's

To use a raw LED, you need to know the forward voltage drop of each LED, and the maximum forward current. For example, if you have a single LED that you want to connect to 12v, and it has the following (typical) characteristics:<br />Imax=20ma (Maximum forward current)<br />Vdrop=1.7v (volatage drop)<br />First, assume your 12v system will hit, say, 16v. Then subtract the forward voltage drop (Vdrop). Now you want the resistor to limit current to 20ma at 14.3v. So applying ohms law (V=IR), you get:<br />14.3v = 0.020A x R<br />14.3v / 0.020A = R<br />R = 715 ohms<br />Select a resistance of 820 ohms, since it's available. Now calculate the amount of energy it must dissapate as heat:<br />W = V x V / R<br />W = 14.3 x 14.3 / 820<br />W = .25 Watts<br />Although you could theoretically use a resistor rated for 1/4 Watts, it is too close to burning out. Give yourself a good saftey factor and use a 1/2W one (minimum) instead. Your saftey factor should be at least 150% on that resistor.<br /><br />If you want to use a bunch of LEDs in series, simply add all the Vdrops together, and use the least Imax. If you used four of the above LEDs in series, for example, you'd get:<br />Vdrop = 6.8v<br />Imax = 20ma<br />Current limit resistor: 460 ohms (Select 470)<br />Resistor Wattage: Dissapates .18W (Use 1/2W again)<br /><br />Cool huh? Of course, you can't connect too many LEDs together in series or the forward voltage drops (added together) will exceed the supply voltage. None will light then!<br /><br />I too would be concerned with viewing angle, since most high output leds also use directional, focusing clear lenses rather than fogged lenses.<br /><br />Good luck! (And don't listen to anything someone at Radio Shack tells you! In fact, doubt the specifications on the back of the packages.)

 

[JasonJ]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Paul, you got the skills, but every once in awhile I have come across someone at Radio Shack that knows something. It isn't always the case, but it is often enough to be worth mentioning. He asked for options, his Shack might have someone with a brain, don't tell him to rule it out. If they can't help him, they often know a local outfit that can help him. That has been the case with my local Shack. Overall I don't use the place except to get bridge rectifiers for every single **** outboard I have bought, but it does exist...

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Must be different down (up?) there in the 'States... I haven't seen one who knew anything in almost 20 years. But they all thought they knew something. :><br /><br />Thanks JasonJ - your right. Try finding someone who knows first.

 

[dixie420]

Re: converting boat to LED's

just thought this might help some of you looking to replace your light bulbs with leds. this is not to hard. skip past the electronics store and head down to the autoparts store. there is a company called pilot that makes a ton of lighting stuff for 12v apps. the sell these leds in a pack of three for less than 10 dollars. they already have the proper resistor soldered into the wires. each also has about 12 inches of wire with them. ive used red leds all down the sides of my boat for interior lighting. i didnt want it to be to bright so i used red ones. they sell white, red, blue and green that i saw. leds arent cheap though so be ready to pay more than a normal bulb. i think to get 3 white leds with resistors and woring already attached less than 10 bucks is a deal.

 

[BajaHombre]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Perhaps you might find something you could use at this site. <br /><br /> http://www.superbrightleds.com/

 

[Link]

Re: converting boat to LED's

BajaHombre <br />Good site. Plug and play for autos and boats.<br />Which is what I think most people want.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: converting boat to LED's

For tail lights on the trailer, probably so. But as Paul and I were trying to point out, if you try this in you boat's running lights you'll very likely not be visible from many angles, and from not as far even at the best angle. The website mentioned even shows how narrow most of these are, and plainly states that these LED arrays tend to not be as bright as a more conventional lamps. If one was clever and could build a large enough array it could be done, but don't expect these wonderful devices to work where they are not suited without some hassle. I would like to use some of these (diffuse not focused)for instrument lights, personally.

 

[Mettaree]

Re: converting boat to LED's

If you don't think the bright LED's aren't very bright try looking directly at one of the new LED flashlights. I have a couple and they have a quite intense blue/white light almost blinding. The LED stern lights are approved and very, very visible. These new super whites are something else and extremely long lived, upwards of 100,000 hours and very low current drain. Check them out - just insert or wire them up and turn them on. No long, long beam like a Q-Beam but extremely bright for local visibility and long range recognition. My .02

 

[kd6nem]

Re: converting boat to LED's

I have a few LED flashlights also, and absolutely love them. Makes the batteries really last, and it is amazing how much light they do throw. There are some ways they are being further enhanced, too. Pelican has its second generation about to come out, sounds terrific. But the brightness is due in large part to the narrow beam. I just don't think it would be quite so plug and play for navigation/running lights. Does anyone market a setup for converting running lights yet? I'd like to hear. Would have to have many LEDs pointing all horizontal directions yet still fit inside the regular housing. It would have to be made specifically for that purpose; any old LED lamp upgrade would not work there. And the red/green lens of the bow light maybe could be replaced with clear and just use red & green LED's. But for most other things? Go for it!!

 

[Link]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Bearcat Powered <br />Good point!<br />Even though you printed it in BOLD I spaced over it! DUH It will be interesting to where the market goes with LEDs<br /><br />Link

 

[Mettaree]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Bearcat: Check out Cabela's for their LED running lights and other LED lights for boats - Must check in latest catalog<br />Jim

 

[Mettaree]

Re: converting boat to LED's

To Bearcat Powered and anyone who is interested:<br />For marine LED use :<br /> Check out: SeaSense Navigational Lights<br />Google is what I use to search with. My .02<br /> <br />Jim

 

[kd6nem]

Re: converting boat to LED's

Well how 'bout that! I guess I should have figured. Haven't looked at them yet but if it is even halfway well designed it is a great idea. Reducing unnecessary maintenance and boosting reliability is always a great idea. <br /><br />Good tip, JKW.