Replaced all lights with LED, some special features

[hwhayes]

So, our 2015 R21EC has white halogen overhead lights in the pilot house, a tungsten bulb in the V-birth dome light and tungsten bulbs in the running lights. I changed them all out to LED's as follows:

- The three white halogen overhead bulbs were changed out for LED bulbs that have three brightness levels. Throwing the switch once gives you bright, a quick second time gives you the mid level brightness and a third time is the low level, nice for nigh-time when not needing full illumination.

- The V-birth dome light with tungsten bulb was changed to an LED that comes on red at the first throw of the switch and to warm white with the second throw of the switch.

- The white tungsten bulbs in the Red and Green running lights were changed to Red and Green LED's that are very bright.

- And finally the white anchor light was changed out with a cool white LED

This modification would work for any Ranger Tug if you choose the correct bulb. And that is pretty easy as all mine came from Marine Beam in Charleston SC.

https://store.marinebeam.com/led-replacement-bulbs/

These folks are very helpful.
I have photos of the dome light showing how the red and white looks.
An easy modification.

 

[oceaneyes]

Hello hwhayes,

Thanks for sharing. I’ve been looking for this exact feature.

I’m wondering if you have the same ceiling lights that I have in my CW28. I can’t figure out how to replace the bulbs but I would love if I could make them dim / bright just by turning the switch on and off. Were you able to replace the bulbs in your ceiling lights or did you have to replace the entire light? Mine pull out (firmly) but don’t have any obvious way to replace the bulb alone.

Thanks!

 

[hwhayes]

I was somewhat confused by the light fixture design too. If yours is the same, what I found was that it is composed of two main pieces. That body which holds the bulb socket and a retaining ring that holds the lens of the light. I used a small thin screwdriver to push out the retaining ring from the back of the fixture. There are slots that allow access to push out the ring. I hope this helps. Please let me know if I need to clarify my description. Good Luck

 

[hwhayes]

One more observation. I was replacing the bulbs in a fixture that had halogen bulbs. Some newer LED fixtures may not have the option of replacing the bulb.

 

[oceaneyes]

Great, thanks. I use a small pocket knife to get the piece out and expose the bulb. New LEDs ordered!

Thanks for the help!

 

[hwhayes]

You are quite welcome. Let us know how it turns out when you get them installed.

 

[JeffRad54]

Great post!
I've been thinking of replacing my Nav lights with LEDs for longer life and reduced power drain.
My interior lamps are all LED from the factory. (2019 R-27)

Thanks a bunch!

Jeff Radwill

 

[Snug21]

I’d like to convert my anchor light to LED, but not sure how to open the fixture. It’s an Aqua Signal SNP50 - anybody have any experience and suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Capt’nKarl]

To remove the anchor light cover rotate it a 1/4 turn or so counter-clock-wise. It should come right off.

 

[JeffRad54]

To remove the anchor light cover rotate it a 1/4 turn or so counter-clock-wise. It should come right off.

The first time you remove it requires a bit of force and a firm grip. Afterwards, it is easier.

 

[ridesn]

These sequential dimming LEDs sound like a brilliant solution. Glad I found this thread. I'll attempt this upgrade in the spring.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Hi, my recently purchased 2012 R27 had the Chart lights replaced with LEDs but the White lights unchanged. I'd like to change out the whites to LEDs also but I cannot figure out how to remove the gold retaining ring. In surveying the thing 360 degrees I don't see any dimple to hold the ring or small cut out on the edge to pry it out. I also can't get a good enough grip on the ring to turn it. How exactly is that ring fastened in place and how might I remove it? In the picture below, I think the left light is the red Chart LED and the one on the right is the original white lights. Thanks, GF

Cabin Overhead Lights: https://photos.app.goo.gl/htSB6451guvSyFLF9

 

[scross]

Those gold rings are not easy to remove! You push them in very firmly and rotate. Sorry, I forget if the rotation is clockwise or counterclockwise but they will only rotate one way to the indent. Don’t try to pry them off. Getting them back on and secure is just as hard as getting them off. Glad I had to do it only once.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Thanks scross, did you use your hands or get an assist from some wide channel lock pliers? I don't want to ruin the ring but thought of blue taping them around the circumference and (gently) using the pliers. That may not work though if I have to push in (i.e. up) first. Anywho, not a critical task but a great one for mid Covid winter. GF

 

[wilsonballew]

Hi - I have a 2016 R21-EC and wondering if you can provide the bulb part numbers you purchased for the various inside/outside lights? I will use the vendor in your posting so I can easily order the parts.

Thanks - Tom

 

[scross]

Don’t use pliers! Even with tape on the pliers you may well scratch them up! Ask me how I know! Also, it’s almost impossible to get replacement rings in that brass color. Found one trim ring in gold color and used it in a location far away from the other brass colored rings so it’s not too noticeable.
I ended up just using one palm on the center pushing hard while grasping the edges with the fingers of my other hand and rotating. Some rings were moderately hard to get off and a couple took me several attempts over a few days. Lots of cussing while working finally made the difference.
Same process in reverse for getting them back on.

https://www.hellamarine.com/en/products ... mps/round/

 

[hwhayes]

The Marine Beam web site https://store.marinebeam.com/ has a good description of what led bulbs to choose by first looking at the equivalent incandescent bulb you want to replace. Based upon their advice here’s what I ordered for or 2015 R-21E.

For the white anchor light - LED 42mm Cone End Festoon - Mini-Max (FS-42-30C)
(Output Color: Cool White (anchor & stern lights)) FS-42-30C-CW 1

For the port side running light - LED 42mm Cone End Festoon - Mini-Max (FS-42-30C) (Output Color: Red - for Red Lenses) FS-42-30C-RED

For the starboard side running light - LED 42mm Cone End Festoon - Mini-Max (FS-42-30C) (Output Color: Green - for Green Lenses) FS-42-30C-GRN

For the three white cabin lights - LED Side Mount G4 LED Bulb w/ Sequential Dimming SP-G4-963

For the “dome light” in the V-birth area - Red/White "Switchable" LED for Dome Lights (UN-DOME-15-RWW) (Base Type: Single-Contact (BA15s)) UN-DOME-15-RWW **** (note - this is incorrect, you need a double contact bulb not single, see following post)

Hope this helps.

Harry

 

[hwhayes]

Correction on the above post. The dome replacement bulb is a double contact bulb not single contact.
I had to exchange this because I ordered a single incorrectly. Here's the correct bulb for the dome light that fits and lets you choose red or white light.

Red/White "Switchable" LED for Dome Lights (UN-DOME-15-RWW) (Base Type: Double-Contact (BA15d)) UN-DOME-15-RWW

Sorry for the error in the previous post.
Harry

 

[Bruce Moore]

Try emailing parts@rangertugs.com