How to upgrade to LED cabin lights ?

[curtis from carlsbad]

I've got the boat at my nearest Evinrude authorized repair shop because of an oil or grease leak coming out of the side (It looked like to me) of the propeller. After running a $102.95 diagnostic on the outboard, the computer results were as follows: Scan engine run time = 7.20 hours
Starter cycles = 33 ,no codes
Break in = 24 minutes used
Hook up fuel tank, test run engine ok
Ok gear & lube
Oil on skeg from exaust housing
Everything is good to go according to mechanic.
So now I'm thinking while the boat is there why not upgrade to LED? Mechanic says that simply putting in LED bulbs won't work and to do it right I need to change fixtures (I have four).Labor rate is $95 per hour and it would take about 2 hours to change all four fixtures plus cost of new fixtures. I am thinking of adding in a four foot strip of LED lights above the Port setee and Stbd dining area (running fore to aft) as I want the cabin to be extremely bright inside and not run down the battery quickly. Is the mechanic telling me the truth about changing the fixtures rather than simply putting in LED bulbs to my existing factory fixtures?

[Paulieb]

Curtis,

I have not converted to LED yet, but I know from reading this board, that you do not have to replace the fixtures in your boat to upgrade to LED. Do a search on the forum for LED and I am sure you will get many hits.

There are off-the-shelf LED fixtures that will fit our existing fixtures and you can do it yourself. Tell your mechanic to go blow.

What your mechanic meant to say was (for me to make any money) the only way to change to LED is for me to change all your fixtures and charge you labor.

Your cost should be minimal.

Paulieb

[Russ]

There are off-the-shelf LED fixtures that will fit out existing fixtures and you can do it yourself. Tell your mechanic to go blow.

What your mechanic meant to say was (for me to make any money) the only way to change to LED is for me to change all your fixtures and charge you labor.

Your cost should be minimal.

Paulieb

+1

I'd love to charge you $95/hr to do that.

I'd go to http://www.superbrightleds.com/

--Russ

[1st Sail]

Curtis,
Regarding the oil leak. I had a similar oil problem. The oil reservoir was approx 1/2 full when I received the boat from the previous owner. Mid season I topped off the reservoir and stored my Etec 50 in the up storage position on the trailler. I didn't sail for several weeks. When I did my walk around inspection prior to launch I had an oil the driveway which was collecting on the cavatation plate.

If you are running an Etec then check the oil reservoir. There is an air vent on the back side of the reservoir between the engine block and back side of the tank. If you top off the oil level and then tip up the engine to the up (lock) position the vents occassionally leak. The oil runs down the back side (between block and container) of the block, down to the lower unit and then collects on the cavitation plate. Take a clean paper towel and wipe the oil off the plate. Wipe a little oil from your refill bottle and check the color most likely they will match.
Check the back side of the reservoir /block and upper lower unit body for oil. Hopefully, this is the problem.
I have the same issue. Currently i just don't top off the reservoir and that curred the problem.
Repair was a little pricy as you have to remove all the oil distribution lines.

[Irafatsar]

I did all mine in about ten minutes. all you need to do is change the bulbs. superbright was great I ordered the wrong plug the first time they took them back and sent the correct ones in about 5 days.

[Québec 1]

I did all mine in about ten minutes. all you need to do is change the bulbs. superbright was great I ordered the wrong plug the first time they took them back and sent the correct ones in about 5 days.

Which are the correct ones to replace the 4 stock interior lights?
Q1

[Hamin' X]

Your dealer charged you to run a computer diagnostic for an oil leak?

~Rich

[Kelly Hanson East]

Is the mechanic telling me the truth about changing the fixtures rather than simply putting in LED bulbs to my existing factory fixtures?

no

[Boblee]

Unbelievable that your dealer charged for the oil leak it is a warranty issue and don't be surprised if your oil tank has a crack, I believe it is/was a fault but it took about three visits to get BRP to wear mine, fortunately or unfortunately there were other issues why the boat was at the dealers (200k round trip).
As for the leds I think you need a new mechanic and as suggested go to the superbright website or ebay.
Curtis
I was told exactly what you said but that was not the problem and the new powerhead doesn't leak when tilted with a full tank, the tank was cracked (very fine) near the top but it eventually leaked down to a third full and I unfortunately couldn't get oil from a major dealer?

[Laika 26X]

Mr. Dunn had posted (2 yrs back?) replacing the incandescent bulbs with LED’s in the existing Cabin Light Fixtures.

I am currently doing the same thing aboard LAIKA .

In fact I purchased a second set of fixtures for red LED's (I do a lot of night sailing)

Here is the url (again) for the LED's http://www.superbrightleds.com/

Part Number for the Warm White (Cool White ALSO available): White LED Cabin Lights: 1156-PCB-WWHP9 Price is about $22 US each.

They are worth it since current draw is rated at 190 mA as compared to ~ 1A for the incandescent. They are bright! Also, they should well outlast the conventional bulb.

Just pull the old bulb, replace, and adhere the PCB using 2 sided 3M foam tape. Cake walk.

Also, here is the Brand and maker of those Cabin Light Fixtures if you ever need to replace them.

Mfr: Bargman. Model: Bargman Single Euro Interior Light Optic Lens. P/N: 34-93-113
You can purchase them from Dyers RV for about $9 US each.

I will be posting a mod shortly about this which will include the additional fixtures and red lighting for night ops.

“Sub” Ed

[Boblee]

Regarding the red leds I am installing the superbright leds 91 led courtesy lights with the on/off/door switch but have rewired the switching to switch a 2 red led marker light beside it on in the door position haven't tried it yet but should work?

[Laika 26X]

switching to switch a 2 red led marker light beside it on in the door position haven't tried it yet but should work?

Boblee,

Without a schematic, I'm having a difficult time visualizing what your describing.

All I can say is what I did, works.

Please refer to page 3 of the following Schematic to see how I wired up the cabin lights to selct between "WHITE" and "RED" Cabin lighting.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2887041/LAIKA-SCHEMATIC.pdf
This allows you to easily select only one color on at a time. Red when your underway at night to avoid disturbing your night vision, white at all other times, like docked, anchored, rafted up etc.

Works for me.

"Sub" Ed

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I used what I guess you could call replacement bulbs from http://www.superbrightleds.com in the stock fixtures

1156-PCB-WWHP9, $21.95 each


They simply plug into the standard bayonet base like changing a bulb. I then put a layer of insulating material on the back of the PCB board and just cable tied them to the base. Once in, the plastic lens from the light just snaps back on. Each took a couple minutes to install.



Be sure to get the warm white color temp for that natural light look. The type of LED used on the PCB models has a much wider light pattern than a normal LED and is very bright. They easily match the brightness, wide coverage area and color temp of the standard incandescent bulbs that came in the fixtures.

My wife could not tell I had changed the bulbs in the stock fixtures and she actually hated the first LED fixtures I put in. Their light was very directional, rather than all around and a very harsh white. If you do change out the fixtures for something else make sure you buy ones that have a built in switch. Changing one fixture for another involves two simple crimp wire connections and takes about 5 minutes to do.

[raycarlson]

just to add a note, I to used superbright led in the cabin, and running and anchor lights. and had to send some back because i thought they were bad bulbs, they werent. some of the bulbs are polarity sensitive. or if they don't light just switch the wires on your fixture and they will then function fine.

[TAW02]

Most led replacements for bulbs are polarity specific. In other words you have a 50/50 chance that plugging in that led replacement bulb that it will light up. If it doesn't, merely pull the bulb socket and reverse the two wires.

Big T