LED Lamps Don’t Work On Inverter

[GaylesFaerie]

The main problem I have is that several of the overhead LED's in my C-30 CB are also linked to the "chart light" switch which makes them turn red when you activate that switch...

mmmm, it looks like you have a C30 (year unknown) and I have a 2012 Ranger 27. My cabin overhead lights consist of 4 sets of two lights (total 8). The 4 overhead white lights work off a rocker switch just port of the door entrance at hip height. The 4 red chart lights are operated by a breaker switch on the DC panel at the helm. Sorry if I am adding confusion here. Gary

 

[DenverReds]

I purchased two 150W Power Inverter 12v DC to 110v AC car plug converters (PSFAU Store) from Amazon with two very short black extension cords to solve the lamps working at anchor on the inverter issue. We plugged the converters into the “cigarette lighter” outlets (one port/one starboard) at both the Helm and 1st Mate stations - then plugged the lamp std. plugs into the extension cords which we hid behind the cabin wall overhangs port and starboard and dropped near the lamps. Presto! The lamps with LED bulbs now work on either shore power or inverter power settings.

Next challenge: switching out the new 3 stage replacement bulbs (low, med, high) in the 4 cabin headliner light fixtures. I bought the silicon pads at the hardware store, per Gary’s (@GaylesFaerie) recommendation, to remove the bezels. I also received the 4 new light from the source Gary recommended above. 1st attempt at removing the bezels was a frustrating failure! The combination of reaching overhead and trying to grip the bezel without any leverage is a tough one. I’ll try again when I’ve recharged my patience reservoir. Gary mentioned he made three attempts so I figure I have at least one more frustrating afternoon of bezel removal attempts before I have success!

 

[GaylesFaerie]

1st attempt at removing the bezels was a frustrating failure! The combination of reaching overhead and trying to grip the bezel without any leverage is a tough one.

LOL. Yup, welcome to my frustration. I actually gave up on changing out the lights after my first attempt. But 2 months later, resolved to not wimp out and be beaten by 1/4 oz of plastic. Just keep trying under different conditions, it'll release eventually.

 

[it4llc]

As a follow up on my attempt to install the 3 way LEDs, I finally found a fixture that would fit in the existing holes, had a replaceable bulb, and wasn't crazy expensive - $12.95 from Great Lakes Skipper. https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/quick-boat-teo-down-light-famp0032x000a00-marquis-12v-halogen.

In hindsight I probably would have just done the lamp as well, but once i had the bulbs ordered, I got stubborn. The fixture swap was fairly easy on the test unit. I've got 3 more ordered now to replace all of the fixtures in the v-berth area. Hopefully they all have plenty of extra wire like the first one... fingers crossed