Problems with LED Wholesalers Lights

[RobertB]

Last year, I replaced all three navigation light bulbs with bulbs from LED Wholesalers. $15 each sounded like a good idea - NOT. All three have failed with less than 20 hours on them. I used http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/ind ... ductId=454 this type.

Now to upgrade and spend real $$$ on ones that will actually turn on.

Any recommendations?

[Russ]

Hmm... what exactly failed about them? The model you linked to has multiple LEDs on the fixture.

I have all LEDs on my boat and have not had any issues. Some, I've left on for days, week at a time.

[Catigale]

Welcome to the global supply chain. The source for most of these type items changes weekly.....

[RobertB]

Hmm... what exactly failed about them? The model you linked to has multiple LEDs on the fixture.

I have all LEDs on my boat and have not had any issues. Some, I've left on for days, week at a time.

Mode of failure - fixture with multiple LEDs stayed DARK. Total failure, no light, boat invisable at night, turn lights on and nothing, voltage at bulb OK but dim to the point of darkness (reversing bulb maintained mode of operation - nada on the bright stuff).


Now, looking at the Dr. LED bulbs and having trouble working out the choice between two bulbs:
P/N 9000241 (Defender 701285), warm white, LEDs mounted in a single plane on a card
P/N 8001566 (Defender 700488), white, LED mounted above a cone reflector.

Both bulbs are indicated in one form or another on Dr. LED website.

My questions are two:
1) Do I choose the warm white for the bow and the white for the masthead and stern? (Warm white is supposed to work better with colored lights)
2) Will the 9000241 give the roughly 180 degree light that is needed?

[Russ]

Wow! Sounds like you had some extremely poorly manufactured bulbs. From what I can learn, failures are rare and are generally caused by poor manufacturing (soldered leads etc.) that don't take vibration. Heat is also a big reason for failure. Overpower will fry them as well. Shame. Mine have been working for several seasons without issue. Guess I was lucky and you got some bad junk. Either way, save your receipts if you are paying a premium for LEDs.

Go with the warm white. I tried a pure white LEDs for nav and they made the red look pink and the green look teal.
My only concern with the Defender bulb is that it is only forward facing. Will it emit light sideways?



My $15 LED Wholesalers (via Amazon) bulb has been working great. See below. By the shadow you can tell how much brighter it is than the incandescent it replaced.

[windypatrick]

I am not a sparky, but I have electrical engineer friends. I am building my own LED red/white internal light fixtures (MOD article to come soon) and I consulted with my LE friend ('Lectrical Engineer) about using reversing polarity to achieve red vs white. He mentioned that it may be fine, But that some LEDs were not built for a sustained reversed current. I knuckled under and have gone to a three wire plan. Could that be your issue?

[FinallySailing]

Cheap LEDs won't last long. Like many cheap imports. But there is also the question if they are actually suitable and safe.

I've pondered for a while to change my navigation lights to LEDs. The consensus I've heard over here (and it mirrors the advice by the MCA) is to ensure that the replacement is fully identical or equivalent, in brightness and colour with the original incandescent marine light bulbs (which to my knowledge vary in colour and brightness from automotive ones). LED replacements that are equivalent are usually much more expensive than automotive ones. The MCA in their publications even go so far that the manufacturer of your lights should be consulted to ensure that the type of LED is suitable for the navigation light it is intended to be used in. Otherwise your navigation light may not be visible over the same distance and in the same conditions as intended (or not at all as it happened to you ) and as per MCA you are basically sailing without approved navigation lights.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mgn393.pdf

[raycarlson]

I've had great luck with all my LED"s that I purchased online at SuperbrightLED's.com , had them 3 years now no failures and not expensive either. I beleive the most expensive one was 11 dollars for the forward nav light 40mm festoon bulb with 9led's in a 270 degree broadcast layout.They are polarity sensitive.

[RobertB]

Ray, thanks for the word on Superbrightleds.com, they sound like they have worked well - my only reservation is that from what I see, they reference automotive applications only. I want to make sure that the bulbs I install are backed in writing as applicable to the fixtures I install them into (reference extensive litigation responses on this thread).

I am going to buy the DrLED lights - they are cross referenced specifically for the Hella 3562 fixtures on the

I finally spoke to DrLED and the P/N 9000241 bulb is specifically recommended for both the bicolor and white fixtures (this replaces the 8001566 bulb). See picture above from RussMT response - DrLED states this is a 360 degree bulb.

[mastreb]

I've had great luck with all my LED"s that I purchased online at SuperbrightLED's.com , had them 3 years now no failures and not expensive either. I beleive the most expensive one was 11 dollars for the forward nav light 40mm festoon bulb with 9led's in a 270 degree broadcast layout.They are polarity sensitive.

I have had interior cabin lights from superbrightLEDS.com for two years now, no issues. But I've not yet replaced my nav lights.

[Divecoz]

Me Too Ray and It May Have Been YOU who turned me onto them.. If so a belated Thank YOU!!!!!

I've had great luck with all my LED"s that I purchased online at SuperbrightLED's.com , had them 3 years now no failures and not expensive either. I beleive the most expensive one was 11 dollars for the forward nav light 40mm festoon bulb with 9led's in a 270 degree broadcast layout.They are polarity sensitive.

[raycarlson]

RobertB not sure what liability your concerned with, but there are many items out there that are identical to boat-marine products we all use but but are much more reasonably priced when you remove the word "marine" and replace with auto or RV.

[RobertB]

I was not really concerned with liability as much as someone else certifying compatibility. There are alot of variables on light bulbs that are not uniformally published such as color wavelength (important when using in a bicolor fixture) and light intensity (important on maintaining required brightness). The price was a bit more but I went with a supplier that I can put on the hook if things are not right.

I do not feel any need to have the word "marine" on all products, but I do try to take care that the products are compatible and will hold up in the environment I am using them in.

[Divecoz]

Ain't That The TRUTH!! $$$$ Remove the little drawing of the boat and the price is Half..I admit I buy from WM Defender and others.. BUT NOT.. before looking for it elsewhere.. $$$$

RobertB not sure what liability your concerned with, but there are many items out there that are identical to boat-marine products we all use but but are much more reasonably priced when you remove the word "marine" and replace with auto or RV.

[mastreb]

The only thing "marine" that actually ads real value is 316 stainless. Unfortunately typical 304 stainless just does not last in a marine environment, so you either need to use hot dip galvanized steel or 316 stainless for pretty much everything metal. Otherwise, I completely concur, it's just 2X the price for the same shinola.