Switches with LED or no LED on sailboat..?

groundhog · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007

Hello,

Looking at switch panels.

Some have LED indicators (or incandecent lamps..) and some have just the switch and fuse/breaker.

Lots of activities on sailboats are done without the engine running.

Are the LED indicators on the switches an issue with power draw on the batteries?

pigslo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007

LEDs draw very little power.

groundhog · #3 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007

5-10 mA a piece? Something like that.

One of the panels I am looking at has a red LED for indication, and an amber for backlight.

I guess the amber one is on continuously? Or why would you have 2 LEDs?

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007

BTW, on most of the panels, you can disconnect the LEDs. however, the LEDs are useful to remind you that you may have turned on something that you may not want to leave on, or something that you can't tell is on as it doesn't have any other visual or audible indicators. A pressure water system is an example of that. If the water pressure pump is on, you may not realize it, since it doesn't make any noise and you can't see it, until someone uses the water and causes the pump to operate.

Valiente · #5 (**permalink**) 06-23-2007

Same with the water heater at dock. Shortly after we purchased the boat, I had a full tank on shore power warming up nicely because I didn't actually notice it was on. Did you know hot water expands? Well, I do, now.

No damage, but it gave me a bit of a turn when the relief valve whistled and spurted hot water while I was changing the oil!

I rarely turn the thing on, truth be told, while at the dock. We shower ashore, and if I need hot water for washing up, I hang a 10-litre black bag off the boom. 20 minutes in the sun and it's 50 C...perfect for dishes.

Anyway, an LED-lit switch would've been my friend in this situation.

SimonV · #6 (**permalink**) 06-23-2007

Go with the led, on lights, they will save your arse, especially if there are little hands around. And defiantly on the gas solenoid.

PBzeer · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2007

When I put in new panels, I got them with LED indicators and backlights. The backlights though, I put on a switch, for use only when needed. Works well for me.

Currently at 35 32 10 N 76 37 21 W