Led Lights on the mast top
We have had a number of failures of the Led systems from the more expensive manufactures when operated with a SSB. Seems that the never planed their lighting circuits to have ANY resistance to HF.
However we have had great luck with the Aquasignal 40 lights with the DR Led Lights in them. The cost is fairly reasonable too, and the visuals in our albeit limited tests, and in Dr. Led Extensive tests (USCG approval was granted), Tests were superior to the incandescent bulbs.
The cost is nice too, about $50.00 for the bulb fits into your existing aquasignal light. Goes from about 2 amps down to .04 amps... Really .04.
Leds are not the end all of the world however.
Check out the chart of Lumens per watt. Florescent lights are much more economical for interior lighting than leds are, and if they use modern t-9 or t-10 bulbs much easier on the eyes. The Alpenglows are wonderful. bulb life is about 5 years of constant use on a CF for about $2.00 a bulb. If you want to make something of your own that is similar to an Alpenglow, or convert existing fixtures the ballasts are available from a number of sources, as are the bulb sockets, however Alpenglows are very well made, and are very good looking.
The following chart should provide some information on various options.
Where LEDS really shine is in severe environments where they can be completely sealed from the environment. Such as the top of the mast. There are numerous methods for getting the maximum lumens per watt, including pulse and pulse width modulation of the led etc.
Hope the table helps.
Type Light, Luminous Efficiency Lumens Per Watt
Incandescent, 15 Lumens Per Watt Best
Halogen, 21 Lumens Per Watt
1980 Led 5 Lumens Per Watt
1990 Led 20 Lumens Per Watt
2000 Led 50 Lumens Per Watt
Todays best Led 75 Lumens Per Watt
florescent 1940 70 Lumens Per Watt
florescent Now 105 Lumens Per Watt
Mercury Vapor 60-65 Lumens Per Watt
Metal Halide 110 Lumens Per Watt
Hi Pressure Sodium 125 Lumens Per Watt
Lighting is an advanced subject. There is a lot of information available, but the above chart is one of the hardest to find.
Guy