Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

[Mark42]

Im planning the interior lighting for the Capri now that the hard top is getting closer to being complete. Some simple surface mount lights like these will give general lighting in the cuddy and cabin when anchored.

Also some LED strip lights mounted low will illuminate the deck while underway, so they don't interfere with night vision.

The question I have is if there should be some red lights in the cabin ceiling by the helm so maps can be read without ruining your night vision. I have a couple of chrome goose neck reading lights from a limo that I can fit a red bulb in, or just use a double light flush mount like this one, with one white and one red bulb.

I'm wondering if red light is necessary or if a low watt regular bulb in a goose neck light (that can be pointed where you want it) will work.

I plan on being out late and that means navigating in the dark. The "dash" of the Capri is large and can easily hold a chart folded in half. And believe me, the few times I have come home in the dark, I really relied on the charts to identify the buoys, channel markers, etc or I would have been in some serious trouble. So being able to read and not get blinded is important.

How do you folks manage in the dark?

 

[danond]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

Gps!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

Gps!

GPS is for sissies! I use CHARTS! And I don't mean these newfangled mult-color, charts on water proof paper, no sir! I mean real charts used by real Captians that are on PARCHMENT!

Actually, GPS would be nice, but I just don't have the money for it right now.

Although you can make a donation to my GPS fund by making a payment to my email addy via pay pal!

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

Go with indirect lighting (the gooseneck) and a red bulb or lens. It takes about 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to night vision and only a second to destroy it. The rest of the lighting should be set up so you also have the option of red lights by any other places you might be interupted by a bright light. If you smoke, an automotive type cigarette lighter will eliminate the use of matches or other flame. At least that's the way we did it back in the canoe club when we were at periscope depth or surfacing at night.

If you haven't done so allready, check to see how colors appear to you under red light. It may be a non-issue to some but for me, the red on aviation sectionals is a very faint gray under a red light. A good idea to find out beforehand instead of when you're under pressure to read the chart.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

I'm planning on using some rope light in my cabin

 

[barryll]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

I'm planning on using some rope light in my cabin

Just an example of rope light I installed on my Fishmaster for fishing at night. And for the same reason as PiratePast40 - night vision! Just enough light so you don't stumble on things dropped on the floor and just enough light to tie a knot when you lean towards the rod lockers.

I'm still messing with this upload picture thing, so I hope this turns out. This one strand runs through the rod locker, through the three bays in the stern, (left oil/gas, center bilge, right batters/breakers/elec) and up the port rod locker. I have dimmers but haven't had to install them. I have another strand running in the bow deck section and it even lights up the small storage in the bow. You can be real creative with rope lights.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

For courtesy lights I bought a bunch of 12v LED lights at Menards, the kind you string together with modular cable. They work nicely and give as much light as the "real" marine courtesy lights. All I did was cut the modular cable in half and wired it into the 12 volt system.

For a map light I'd go with a red LED on a swivel or gooseneck.

For interior lighting where you want to see anything, I'd use 12 volt halogens myself. The white light is very nice, although they do get hot.

Basically use LEDs wherever you can.. low power consumption plus long life plus waterproof... very handy.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need suggestions for cabin lighting!

I would be more than happy to set you up,

www.mrbrightidea.net

I checked out that website. The high-tech fancy-smancy online store is a pain in the *** to use. The darn pictures are postage stamp size, and they flip around. Why not just lay out all the products like a traditional online store?

The prices are premium and shipping is too.

If you want to get a reputation and generate sales from these forums, look at gregs marine wire website. Low prices, simple web store, low shipping and great personal service.