HOW DO I INSTALL LED LIGHTING?
G4 halogen bulbs can be replaced directly with a G4 SMD/LED.
Dimensions are given for each product, so please measure your light fitting to make sure the one you choose will fit. The pins are on the back or side of the LED units.
The 12 dot G4s draw 2.4 Watts and give a slightly brighter but more directional light than 10 Watt G4 halogens,
and slightly less light light than the 10 Watt halogen bayonet light bulbs that are common on many boats.
Installing LED lighting on your boat just got easier with the arrival of the SMD/LED bus bulb. Just take out your 20W filament bulb and replace it with one of these.
At only 1.5 Watts you'll save a lot of power by changing over. (Please note that this LED/SMD bulb will not be as bright as a regular bus bulb. (If you know what to expect then you won't be disappointed). As a rough "rule of thumb"...
A 20W incandescent would need to be replaced with a 4W LED bulb
A 15W halogen would need to be replaced with a 4W LED bulb
A 8W fluorescent bulb would be replaced by a 4W LED bulb
to give a similar amount of light. However you can have more LED bus bulbs on than you would ever dare normal bus bulbs, so you know those lights you never use because they're too power hungry? Replace them with these. LED lights turned on give off more light than bus bulbs which are always left switched off.
You can replace the smaller BA15 bulbs with an adapter and a G4 LED. Check if you need single or double contacts and check there is enough room in your light fitting. Dimensions for all my LEDs are listed. From the product range page click on each photo for the details.
Fluorescent tubes can be replaced with the self-adhesive flexible strips of SMDs. One length is 300mm long and you can chain upto 4 of these together. Ideal for over the stove as they're waterproof too.
The warm white colour that I stock is approx 2800 Kelvin unless otherwise specified and is pretty indistinguishable from a normal bulb colour. The light output and colour quality are similar* to incandescent bulbs for around one-fifth of the power, and around half the power of a fluorescent light. (If you really want cold white I can get hold of that for you too).
The colour temperature scale was created by heating a piece of iron and observing the colour change. At 2000 degrees K it was a red-orange colour. As it got hotter the colour changed from red to white, with blue being the hottest at 10,000 degrees Kelvin. (Kelvin also being one of the kids from Musical Youth of course, whose favourite meal was curried goat and peas).
You should be aware that LED lighting is different*. It is more directional, so it needs to be pointing at where you need it. Don't rely on reflectors, they don't work well with LEDs. LED lighting appears to be brighter the nearer it is to the surface it is shining on. So if you have a reading lamp above your bed and it is only a foot above the book you read at bedtime you will probably only need a 9 dot. If you want to read under a ceiling light, use a brighter one. Be aware that some diffusers cut a lot of LED light.
Current best tip: as the bus bulbs are the same size bayonet as regular household bulbs, you can buy a household light fitting from the DIY store, cut the 240v plug off and wire on a 12v plug (whatever you use on your boat; caravan plugs and cigar lighter sockets on mine), replace the bulb with an SMD/LED bus bulb and hey presto a new LED light for your boat.
Fuses: the fuse on your lighting circuit needs to match the amps you are drawing. If you need help with this please contact a qualified boat electrician, or read this article written for Baddie by Jim the qualified marine electrical technician.
If you would like something other than you can find on the product range page please get in touch, I might be able to help. If you need further info please contact me.
Feeling befuddled? Making an informed decision about how and when to purchase LED light bulbs is difficult as it is still a new area and somewhat shrouded in mystery, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Boaters can catch up with Baddie the Pirate and arrange a close-up look at the LED range. That way you know exactly what you are going to get for your money.