FYI - R-27/OB Owners - Underwater lights being left ON

[baz]

Subject: R-27/OB Owners - Underwater lights being left ON

I've been troubled by a sudden increase in my moorage electrical bill for past two months. I do believe I've found the culprit.

It's the underwater lights having been left ON accidentally.

How does this happen one may ask ? ......

Well, the underwater light toggle switch is located on starboard corner of the transom above the transom door's hinge. In this location it's very easy to hit the switch and toggle it on as one exits. In addition, if you have a full cockpit enclosure when zipping up the doorway panel it's also easy to nudge the toggle switch and not realize it. 🙁

With the underwater lights ON during daylight it's very hard to know they've been left on, whereas at night time not so much as they glow the water at the stern a nice blue color.

Take care not to leave your underwater light ON. 🙂

 

[Brian B]

You can prevent this from happening by making a U shape wedge that will fit over the toggle switch. I made two, one for the cockpit lights and one for the wash down pump. I used 1/4" starboard and drilled holes and attached them with fishing line to the switch.

 

[baz]

Thanks Brian for that advice & solution.

Now I have to train my grandkids not to dislodge weird looking things as well as my main electrical panel switches that are all fully exposed in the cave. 😱 :x

 

[Champ]

Why would one want or need under water lights? Purpose?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Hang on.
The underwater lights are LED.. ? would you notice it on the marina electricity bill?

The underwater lights draw 9.6 watts each. so 20w total or 0.18amps on 110v only!

http://www.apexlighting.com/boat-lights/underwater-lights/oceanled-pro-x4/


I think something else is going on if you have a large bill... perhaps your batteries are toast and the charger is running full time or you have a heater running?

 

[baz]

Hang on.
The underwater lights are LED.. ? would you notice it on the marina electricity bill?

The underwater lights draw 9.6 watts each. so 20w total or 0.18amps on 110v only!

http://www.apexlighting.com/boat-lights/underwater-lights/oceanled-pro-x4/


I think something else is going on if you have a large bill... perhaps your batteries are toast and the charger is running full time or you have a heater running?

I did have both Refrigerators set at #2, but that has been the case for 6 months prior to the big electrical bill.

 

[Irish Mist]

Champ
The underwater lights prove to be quite entertaining at night watching all the underwater life..we have some great jelly fish pictures, taken in Victoria BC and interesting marine life in Ft Myers Florida.. neat little things that look like flying angels.. Here in our slip in Victoria the growth on the floating dock is very colourful.. As well we cruise at night sometimes in Ontario Canada and backing into our slip it provides a nice illumination. No real practical function curly entertainment 🙂
I would not be with out them in any future boat.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

baz there must be something else.
worth double checking with the marina to make sure they did make a mistake!

 

[baz]

Possibly.... the meters are read manually so mistakes can be made. However manual meter readings typically correct themselves over a two billing cycle. I'll check, nonetheless. Thanks....