LED navigation lights

[T-town Fred]

I'm considering installing a set of LED navigation lights on my 94Mac . I'm thinking on the cabin sides just aft of the windows, with the white one on the stern. Has any one else put in new navigation lights?

[Doug91mac26s]

Why would you want to move them to the cabin sides aft of the windows, as opposed to keeping them on the bow?

[Captain Jim]

Has anyone just replaced the bulbs in their navigation lights with leds? If so, what kind and what is your experience? It would seem to me this would be much easier and more economical, if it is possible.

Thanks for your input in advance.

Fair winds,
Jim
BOLD VENTURE

[Captain Steve]

I moved mine to the sides of the cabin, forward of the windows. Duane Dunn posted pictures of how he did it and it was an easy wire run to both lights. I moved it from the bow as I broke it 2 times by stepping on it and using it as a hand hold while raising the anchor. Search for his post on this mod.

[T-town Fred]

I am planning to mount the LED navigation lights on the cabin sides mostly because I just don't like them up on the bow. I bought some Aqua signal series 32 lights, and I'm thinking of connecting them to a pair of 12 volt batteries mounted in the V berth and connected in series to give me 24 volts. I think is't important to be able to easily see a boat's navigation lights, so I don't like the idea of mounting lights on the mast top. Anybody out there have other thoughts?

[whamo_2]

Catalina Direct sells led buibs especially designed for navigation lights that have a 2 mile visibility. They also have some tips on selection and mounting. Many led bulbs designed for automobiles aren't suitable, because they don't have the visibility at the vertical and horizontal viewing angle required by the coast guard. Also, some led bulbs don't emit the correct wavelength of light to show the proper color thru a red or green lens. A drawback of nav lights mounted on the sides is they may be hidden when healing, or hidden by the jib/genny. To achieve the rated brightness of the bulb, they say you should use red leds behind a red lense, and green leds behind a green lense. They carry a bayonet type bulb that has both red and green leds for use in a bow-mounted nav light.

[kragwulfe]

Help,
I'm trying to replace the bulbs in all the Hella snap-lock navigation lights to LEDs. I can't figure how to open the snap-lock design with out the tools; that the Hella site promised as per their design. Do the lenses poop out or do the bodies slip along the seems?? How do they unlock?
By the way I am physically handicapped (spinal cord injury resulting w/hemispheresis ) I picked the 26X as the perfect boat for my needs. I especially like the opening aft portion that makes it simple for me to enter the boat even from deep water by myself.
I am greatful for the forums in this site they are entertaining and illuminating.
this is my first ever post
thank you.
kragwulfe

[argonaut]

If the nav lights are moved to the cabin, are they still visible under sail?
Looks like my genny would obscure a cabin mounted light from being seen.
If so another boat coming toward me could see a single light and it would make me appear to be on a more oblique (crosswise) heading than I would really be on.

Dunno... I was thinking cabin mount then decided just raising mine to a higher position on the pulpit seemed to be better for visibiilty.
Just haven't figured out how to do that and not interfere with the mast bracket.
I've seen clamp-on type brackets that would let the forward light be moved to a better position like
Nav light bracket

I'm thinking about going this route, but I'd prefer led type lights.

[Catigale]

macgregor moved them up to the pulpit in year 2000 IIRC, FYI..My 2002 has them on the pulpit.

[TAW02]

might want to check into http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... swodN05ubQ

Got good prices and a wide variety of led lights to choose from. Ordered from them a few times and trust me they are good people.

[DaveB]

Steve, I am going to do the same on the side decks with Led's. I originally plan on a welded stainless steel bracket on the pulpit like the 2002 plus years of the X but much easier and low voltage draw having twin lights useing Led's.
Reason for moving is I am bolting on a Anchor roller that I leave in sleave while sailing for quick release.
Would love to have a windless but deck area and deck strength with bilt in Chain locker is going to be a major project. I am doing this for single handed ease.
Dave

I moved mine to the sides of the cabin, forward of the windows. Duane Dunn posted pictures of how he did it and it was an easy wire run to both lights. I moved it from the bow as I broke it 2 times by stepping on it and using it as a hand hold while raising the anchor. Search for his post on this mod.

[Hovez]

I just changed the bulbs on my 26M.
The style was similar to this, but was 41 or 44mm long:
http://www.usporneosvetleni.eu/113-220- ... m-bila.jpg
price approx 3,-USD per 1 bulb

[Laika 26X]

Late model owners take note...I can attest these are brightest set on the bay (sources/part numbers included):

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1225

"Sub" Ed Tordahl
S/V LAIKA
USCG Auxiliary
Qualified Crew
Qualified Aids (Nav) Verifier
Qualified Instructor
NYS Qualified Instructor

[Doug91mac26s]

I have a 91' 26S which has the running lights mounted up on the bow pulpit, doesn't get in the way of anything. I think argonaut is making a good point, putting running lights on the side of the cabin could pose a problem, while the boat is heeled over, the headsail is likely to abstruct the view of the light. IMHO I think leaving the light on the bow is the best place for it, just move it up to the pulpit.

[Catigale]

Kragwulfe... Iirc the body of the lens is squeezed slightly, then the lens slides out on the grooves

I'm on anchor at cuttyhunk so maybe I can peek at mine this morning

Watching the sun come up and listening to the fishing boats head out