LED Rope Lights for Boats?

[SpcAlan1]

Anyone have a good link to buy LED rope lights to use in the cabin for lights ?

12v or AAA battery powered is what I am looking for.

[Minnewaska]

If you are looking for illumination, they aren't a very good choice. They are typically more for decorative purposes. I'm sorry to add, questionable decorative purposes if it isn't Christmas.

Amazon.com: 12V Rope Lights; 10Ft Pure White LED Rope Light Kit; Christmas Lighting; outdoor rope lighting: Automotive

[rmeador]

I agree with Minnewaska that they should only be used decoratively. I've been thinking about using them (or LED tape lights, which are basically the same except flat instead of round) to light up the bookcase above my port settee. Sailor Sams seems to sell a lot of them, and I think Sailors Solutions does too, but their site is down at the moment. I also have a nagging feeling that I found a really cheap source for them recently and I've forgotten...

[MikeinLA]

I've often thought that red LED rope lights mounted along the edge of the cabin sole would be great for night sailing. I have static red lights mounted, so I never pursued it.

Mike

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by MikeinLA

I've often thought that red LED rope lights mounted along the edge of the cabin sole would be great for night sailing. I have static red lights mounted, so I never pursued it.

Mike

You might have something there. I do have installed red floor lighting and its remarkable how handy it is, particularly since there is one step down into each cabin and the galley.

[tomperanteau]

Originally Posted by MikeinLA

I've often thought that red LED rope lights mounted along the edge of the cabin sole would be great for night sailing. I have static red lights mounted, so I never pursued it.

Mike

I agree. We have them at our law office and they are hidden behind a skirting around the ceiling. They look very nice, as you might think when you have a certain level of appeal that is required in a law office.

Hidden around and behind so that the light glows from around are a great idea and probably what the original poster had in mind. I doubt that someone would just string them in plain sight.

[travlineasy]

Having used them for years in a rigid strip light form I think they're the best thing since sliced bread. I use a 20-inch LED strip light to light up a sign on the front of my keyboard stand while playing music. I use another 20-inch light to light the top of the keyboard while performing in dimly light bars and nite-clubs. The put out an enormous amount of light, almost no heat, seem to last forever, and they're relatively inexpensive.

Great post,

Gary

[hellosailor]

Alan, 12v makes sense since it is the usual "ship's power". But AAA?

Why on earth AAA? I hate AAA gadgets, because the AAA cells cost just as much as AA cells, but have only a fraction of the power. You wind up paying something like 2x-4x times more for AAA compared to AA. And all considered, if I was going to use battery powered lighting on a boat, I'd rather use D cells, since they're again so much cheaper and the extra space really doesn't make a difference on something the size of a boat, does it?

[tomperanteau]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Alan, 12v makes sense since it is the usual "ship's power". But AAA?

All good points. Ds are by far the most efficient, but the ship's power is the best way to go.

[poopdeckpappy]

super bright led