On a recent cruise I found myself dissatisfied with the hodge-podge of saloon and berth lamps, and the heat some of them caused in simply lighting up. Now, a mere $700 later, I feel much better by a factor of 2 watts vs. 9 watts. If that does not seem much of a return, you didn't ride AOL down like I did.
There are eight dome lights on my boat and seven reading lamps. Five years ago I painted the former owner's , since although corroded they were at least LEDS, although circa Who Knows When, with ancient complicated insides that cast very little light. They worked, and didn't look bad. I replaced them with these.
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The brand is Mars, from Defender, and I had installed two as tests a few months ago, in the head and main saloon overhead. These domes come in 5.5" or 6.75" base diameter and cast a strong light under 12v, with the option of white or red always available. My main beef with dome cabin lights is the on-off switch, and the Mars product does OK, more or less. The three-way selector is covered with a waterproof plastic casting, and it only takes a couple of tries to turn on or off. But you can't have everything ("where would you put it?"--Steve Reich). See comments. The switch covers pop off if not needed--thanks, Jerry VB.
I had installed new V-berth reading lights five years ago, and choose at that time to keep them incandescent. I think they were Sea Dog brand, and corroded right on schedule. Incandescent? Well, the LEDS on board made a harsh dim florescent illumination reminiscent of a morgue in Mogadishu, whereas real bulbs cast a merry and heartwarming light, although they burned your ear if you got close.
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These are much brighter. And of course make no heat at all.
In the saloon, I had built extensions for the reading lamps--necessary so I could get my head under them whilst semi-reclining at sea. Their Mars "Titanium" (brass) plating coating has held up well, much better than the Sea Dog "brass."
In fact, all the new lamps are much brighter than the ancient LEDs, with their feeble and insufficient diodes. And the incandescents, of course, cost 9 watts to run whereas LEDs are only 2. I am perhaps the last to recognize that, as well as the fact that the new iPhone 13 has no button and is incompatible with all my iPhone 6s cords. I am going to have to throw away a lot of cords, including the curly-wired 25-footers I saved in case kitchen wall telephones ever come back. (Mine swivel , if you need one)
For my boat, 6.75" worked for saloon overhead and head. The rest of the domes are 5.5".
Also listed as Blog entry.
There are eight dome lights on my boat and seven reading lamps. Five years ago I painted the former owner's , since although corroded they were at least LEDS, although circa Who Knows When, with ancient complicated insides that cast very little light. They worked, and didn't look bad. I replaced them with these.
..The brand is Mars, from Defender, and I had installed two as tests a few months ago, in the head and main saloon overhead. These domes come in 5.5" or 6.75" base diameter and cast a strong light under 12v, with the option of white or red always available. My main beef with dome cabin lights is the on-off switch, and the Mars product does OK, more or less. The three-way selector is covered with a waterproof plastic casting, and it only takes a couple of tries to turn on or off. But you can't have everything ("where would you put it?"--Steve Reich). See comments. The switch covers pop off if not needed--thanks, Jerry VB.
I had installed new V-berth reading lights five years ago, and choose at that time to keep them incandescent. I think they were Sea Dog brand, and corroded right on schedule. Incandescent? Well, the LEDS on board made a harsh dim florescent illumination reminiscent of a morgue in Mogadishu, whereas real bulbs cast a merry and heartwarming light, although they burned your ear if you got close.
......These are much brighter. And of course make no heat at all.
In the saloon, I had built extensions for the reading lamps--necessary so I could get my head under them whilst semi-reclining at sea. Their Mars "Titanium" (brass) plating coating has held up well, much better than the Sea Dog "brass."
In fact, all the new lamps are much brighter than the ancient LEDs, with their feeble and insufficient diodes. And the incandescents, of course, cost 9 watts to run whereas LEDs are only 2. I am perhaps the last to recognize that, as well as the fact that the new iPhone 13 has no button and is incompatible with all my iPhone 6s cords. I am going to have to throw away a lot of cords, including the curly-wired 25-footers I saved in case kitchen wall telephones ever come back. (Mine swivel , if you need one)
For my boat, 6.75" worked for saloon overhead and head. The rest of the domes are 5.5".
Also listed as Blog entry.
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