Lighting Question

[Freesail99]

I have a oil fired brass light 11 inches tall and about 8 inches in diameter that I would like to convert into electric power. I want to hang this light in the main cabin over the table. While AC power is not a problem and I can find parts and a socket anywhere. I would like to make this into a DC powered light. Where can I find the sockets and such to make this happen ? My searches haven't turned up what I am looking for.

[Cruisingdad]

You could take the parts out this product. I have two of them mounted on the bulkhead. 25w, 12v lights. Looks like a standard light bulb but 12v. They work well.

- CD

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|328876|771379&id=65881

[Freesail99]

Thanks, and it may even turn out to be cheaper.

[USCGRET1990]

Also might want to check your local auto parts store, they should have all kinds of 12v lights/sockets you could work with.(even cheaper) Even the LED lights. I know they have a good assortment in our local Advance store.

[Bill Mc]

Try Lowes,

look in the hardware dept where the have the drawers for the special fastners, they also have a couple of drawers full of little nic-nacs that are useful for science experiments such. light bulb sockets, magnets rubber bumpers, coils srings etc...

Fair Winds,

Bill

[pigslo]

I would atempt led as the power consumption per lumen is a fraction of in candescent.
Pigslo

[tdw]

Go to a Tandy/Radio Shack/ whatever. They'll have all the bits and pieces you need to convert.

Pigslo will disagree but if it was me I'd accept the higher power consumption and go with halogen. More efficient than standard incandescent but still capable of producing a warm light. I still don't see LED as a practical light source for , let's call it, mood lighting. I work with the stuff and would not install it in my own boat except as foot lighting, chart table, reading.

BTW you can get dimmers for 12v lighting.

[rhaley]

The biggest issue that I see with LED "mood" lighting is that the proper color temperatures aren't readily available yet in plug and play fixtures. If you want to build your own LED lights, you can get the warm color temperatures that you would need. But it is certainly not the simplest route and if that is what you are looking for, I agree with TDW, go with halogen and pay the power penalty. I have LEDs lighting for my boat, but then again, I design and build LED lighting all day

[pigslo]

I think you can get off the shelf leds now in a wider range than just a year ago but I can see if you want an unavailable colorthen halogen puts out alot of light but also alot of heat.
pigslo

[tdw]

Originally Posted by rhaley

The biggest issue that I see with LED "mood" lighting is that the proper color temperatures aren't readily available yet in plug and play fixtures. If you want to build your own LED lights, you can get the warm color temperatures that you would need. But it is certainly not the simplest route and if that is what you are looking for, I agree with TDW, go with halogen and pay the power penalty. I have LEDs lighting for my boat, but then again, I design and build LED lighting all day

Correct me if I'm wrong but even the warm white leds are 3000k. standard gls lamps are 2700. Basic Halogen is also 3000 but the colour temp lowers as you dim.

I'd still pump for led chart light, led for night lights, led reading lights and for on deck use, halogen for general lighting but for "hey darlin' let's get all smoochy like" I'd stick with the oil lamp or candles. LED nav lights are still not fully approved as they suffer from lack of range (meaning projection distance) but I'd bet that will change. I am told that in fact the newest LED nav lights are up to par and it's just a matter of time until they are approved.