LED Navlights

Simon B · 19 May 2009, 16:37

Is there an issue with LED nav ights for marine use? A mate metioned it but didnt go into much detail. I know some car led lights arent allowed as they arent type approved, correct me if I'm wrong please.

jyasaki · 19 May 2009, 16:45

Quite a few (over here) are USCG approved; I'd assume approval would be the same over there.

Perko and Hella seem to the the most popular, but I'm sure there are other vendors as well (seem to recall someone on this list had some Australian ones...)

jky

bedajim · 19 May 2009, 17:17

Hi

I've got these

http://www.boatshop.com.au/prod142.htm

Mollers · 19 May 2009, 18:24

I have Hella 2Nm P&S with an Aqua Signal top/masthead. The Hella top/white is a tiddly effort of a thing.

Very happy with all three. I thought that they were enough money though.

Have a look at the Perko online catalogue, it only has about 3000 items.

Channel Ribs · 19 May 2009, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon B

Is there an issue with LED nav ights for marine use? A mate metioned it but didnt go into much detail. I know some car led lights arent allowed as they arent type approved, correct me if I'm wrong please.

Some are approved, some are not. Whoever you buy them from should make it very clear. Any chandler selling LED Nav lights will need to show that they are suitable.

By the way, they are marvelous! Crisp, clear, bright, sharp, I could go on!!

bedajim · 19 May 2009, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Hi

I've got these

http://www.boatshop.com.au/prod142.htm

Whoops this set even

http://www.boatshop.com.au/prod131.htm

hobbit555 · 20 May 2009, 07:09

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-mn...A8FD9E3276F400

Simon B · 20 May 2009, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbit555

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-mn...A8FD9E3276F400

Cheers, that's what I was looking for.

Erin · 20 May 2009, 22:22

Biggest problem is that a cheap cluster of LED's which replace a festoon bulb don't emit a 'point source' of light. This means the specific angle (135 deg) that a port or starboard light should be seen though increases slightly. In fact they overlap so that from dead ahead a boat could give confusing light patterns.

I've got dedicated LED nav lamps made by Hella. They are therefore designed to be fitted with LED bulbs and are approved. As it happens you can't change the LED's themselves cos it is a totally sealed unit.

jyasaki · 20 May 2009, 23:32

In that case, it doesn't use LED bulbs; it has discrete, circuit card-mounted LEDs.

jky

Simon B · 21 May 2009, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Biggest problem is that a cheap cluster of LED's which replace a festoon bulb don't emit a 'point source' of light. This means the specific angle (135 deg) that a port or starboard light should be seen though increases slightly. In fact they overlap so that from dead ahead a boat could give confusing light patterns.

I've got dedicated LED nav lamps made by Hella. They are therefore designed to be fitted with LED bulbs and are approved. As it happens you can't change the LED's themselves cos it is a totally sealed unit.

I'd wondered about that, lot of talk on Land Rover forums a while back about tungsten/glass bulbs being replaced by LEDs and it not being compliant with something. New boat is factory fitted with them so I'll let them do the worrying.

DJL · 21 May 2009, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I have Hella 2Nm P&S

Have you had any problems with them Mollers?

I've just had to buy my second replacement starboard light after it filled up with water again. The design of the new one is quite different to that of the old ones.