Visibility of All Around Light

[lncoop]

The all around light on my party barge mounts on the top of my bimini and is (was) the adjustable folding type. The bracket recently broke and was irreparable. I was unable to find an OEM replacement in stock anywhere but did find one of these, which I actually prefer for various reasons. http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_12673_-1?N=581131708 I was able to get it mounted and wired with no trouble, but I noticed that it cants forward a little bit, maybe twenty degrees or so. Doesn't bother me, but I was just wondering whether that would adversely impact its visibility from certain angles. Thoughts?

 

[robert graham]

Re: All Around Light Visibility

Re: All Around Light Visibility

I can't tell from here. Did you try to blame your wife for busting that light?...

 

[lncoop]

Re: All Around Light Visibility

Re: All Around Light Visibility

I can't tell from here. Did you try to blame your wife for busting that light?...

Started to, but I was afraid she'd make me get rid of my little Merc. And, you can't see it because it isn't on right now. It's daytime after all. Sometimes I wonder about you Robert.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: All Around Light Visibility

Re: All Around Light Visibility

I'd imagine the only time you wouldn't be able to see it from the cant, would be when you're right under it, and my god, I sure hope whoever is boating around you notices it long before that, because by then, it'll be too late!

 

[Mark42]

Re: All Around Light Visibility

Re: All Around Light Visibility

I don't think it will impact visability much, if at all, because the globe is just white frosted plastic with no focusing. In other words, the light radiates out in all directions, so tilting will have no real impact. The alternative would be lights with a fresnel style lens concentrates the light in a horizontal plane, focusing the light where its needed. Those need to be mounted fairly level. Like this halogen light by Aqua Signal:

It costs about 1/3 more than the one you linked to, but after seeing the Aqua Signal in action, it is worth the extra cost. Also, if you leave the light on all night while anchored, and battery use is important, the Aqua Signal uses a 5 watt halogen bulb compared to a 9 watt conventional bayonet bulb. The halogen is bright, and uses nearly half what the other bulb draws.

Probably more info than you wanted, but maybe someone else will benefit.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

I've got one of those fresnel lens ones, and strapped just below it, a $5.00 solar charging sidewalk light I picked up at Home Depot. If Im not on the boat to turn the anchor light on, at least I have something lit.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

If you are worried about the angle reducing its visibility, you could place a shim under the base to make it more vertical.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

Yup, a wedge shaped shim will level it and make it properly visible. I"d get some hard plastic for the shim, it doesn't corrode.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

So do you guys think the angle will be an issue? My problem of course is that I'll never see it from the water, so I can't be sure.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

Well if it's tipped forward someone with a low seating position might overtake you from behind and have a hard time seeing it. To check go try it out some night.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

guess i don't understand...

but I noticed that it cants forward a little bit

i got me a perko replacement a few years ago. the pole is straight except for the very end where the lamp mounts too, it's canted too (has a bend in the pole). i just assumed that the cant was to compensate for the fact that boats sit with the aft end lower than the bow end... the cant would make the lamp level when the boats in the water..

 

[lncoop]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

Well if it's tipped forward someone with a low seating position might overtake you from behind and have a hard time seeing it. To check go try it out some night.

That's what I was wondering about. Probably drop 'er in the river tonight, but I still don't know how I'll check unless another boat happens to be out there and I can flag it down to ask. Possible, but unlikely on a week night.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

If it's on the trailer you can get some idea. You could turn it 180 degrees it so it's more visible from behind. I don't know though, I'm anal enough that I'd want to make it level.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

Turning it 180 degrees would have no impact since the pole is straight. It cants forward when the bimini is deployed. I think I'll be better off just getting a folding model so I can use it without deploying the bimini. Guess that's why the factory used one initially. No biggie. I can just order one and hopefully some day I'll find a use for the $15 one I stuck on there.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

So do you guys think the angle will be an issue? My problem of course is that I'll never see it from the water, so I can't be sure.

Don't worry - if it's an issue, the CG or Local LE will let you know.

You can always put a shim under it to tilt it.

And just for clarification, does your bimini have to be up for the light to be mounted?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Visibility of All Around Light

Don't worry - if it's an issue, the CG or Local LE will let you know.

You can always put a shim under it to tilt it.

And just for clarification, does your bimini have to be up for the light to be mounted?

I finally found the right folding model locally. It mounts on the bimini but can be adjusted so it's vertical whether the bimini is up or not. All set. Thanks guys.