Running light Bulbs

W

William Sanborn

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2022
Messages
128
Fluid Motion Model
R-27 Classic
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2746C111
Vessel Name
LOOKAME
MMSI Number
368065320
Last night as I was running the last 25 miles to home dock, it was starting to turn dusk, no other traffic, so I turned on the running lights. Could see the white 360 light on top of the mast was on, but could not see if the Red or Green were on.
Messed with the switch and no change, and at the dock I walked around to discover both sides were dark. Today tested and power at the sockets, and both bulbs were open.
Talked to the guy at the Marine Store and we talked about LED but he advised that the lights would be on when the engine is running and therefore no need to conserve power, and just go with the regular bulbs. Also that the LED require a special bulbs for Red, and special bulbs for Green. Color of the clear LED light thru the colored lens is not right per the the Coast Guard.
I bought the clear old style filament bulbs.
 
My experience is that the filament type bulbs don’t stand up to trailering vibration or rough seas very well. I switched to LED running lights for longevity and durability.
 
Good point, but bulbs at $1.75 each and I already have a screwdriver, that gives me something to do, so I bought 4 bulbs.
Did you notice any color change or problems?
 
I put LED bulbs in my running lights without considering that, when they are on, the engine’s running, so there’s not a need for the lower power draw. Totally true point. Had I thought about that, I might not have swapped them out.

But having done it, I can say that I don’t now regret it. First thing I noticed was that one of the old incandescent bulbs was burned but not burned out. I put it back in to see if it was still good. It was, but very dim. Second thing I figured out was that the LEDs were way brighter thab the incandescents, even the one that was not burned and looked to be in fine shape. So knowing what I know now, I’d change them out again for the sake of the added brightness and long life spans (I run at night probably more than the average recreational boater).

Gini
 
What are “running lights”? Not familiar with that term related to boats.


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Running lights, IE Navigation lights, definition, a set of lights shown by a ship or aircraft at night to indicate it's position and orientation, especially with respect to other vessels or aircraft.
 
Nav lights I get. Just wanted to verify that’s what was being discussed.
 
My experience is that the filament type bulbs don’t stand up to trailering vibration or rough seas very well. I switched to LED running lights for longevity and durability.
Click to expand...

Ditto here. Also, The Nav lights on my 2012 27 are run off a switch on the DC panel on the dash. They work without the engine running so it is a good idea to use a very low amp light, and if I'm not mistaken the LEDs are in general brighter than the incandescents while consuming fewer amps (i.e. more lumens).
 
The LED's stand up to the vibration etc. Additionally they are better when you order the color spectrum you need. The lenses are red or green and they actually block out all the other spectrums except the desired color. So when you use a regular white bulb, because of filtering, you get the correct color, but it is muted. If you order an LED with the correct color it is much brighter and can be seen for a longer distance. I usually do not run at night, but if I do I want to be seen as best as possible.
 
When I’m running on the kicker, it’s got a 6amp alternator, I usually am at a deficit on electrical as I have the chartplotter on, sounder, radar, AIS… and possibly the nav lights.

If I had to use the kicker as a backup engine to get home and it was after dark, I’d be relying solely on my house battery bank. Led running lights would be a worthwhile electrical savings. It’s 10 watts per bulb… 20 watts total, (2 amps). The led bulbs would cut that by 80pct.

I haven’t swapped out my port and starboard running lights with led bulbs yet, but’s it’s on the to-do list for Channel Surfing.


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Can someone provide specs and vendor for the LED running light bulbs for a 2022 R31 Sedan?
 
Barry Cohen":1y2vk0ua said:
Can someone provide specs and vendor for the LED running light bulbs for a 2022 R31 Sedan?
Click to expand...

Same for your R31.
 
For my 2018 R31S I used the following

FS-42-30C-CW
FS-42-30C-RED
FS-42-30C-GRN

All from marinebeam.com

30-LED 42mm Cone End Festoon - Mini-Max

I got green and red for side lights, even though the housing is colored.
 
i just bought the 3 colors too...ordered yesterday...used the old ones for back ups..which will probably be never!
 
Just bought them for my 2022 R31 Sedan. The same replacement bulbs I bought for my 2011 R27.

Thank you for the reminder of vendor info.
 
Appreciate the replies,anybody with a Cutwater CB30 replace the anchor light bulb up on the radar tower and have the
Type bulb used info? I would like to have a replacement before I go through the - lower the tower exercise,it’s not just like replacing the bulb.
Thanks,
George
 
Call MarineBeam. Have make model and year and they should be able to help and get a good LED (there are bad LEDs) to you quickly.
https://store.marinebeam.com/
 
Gwkessel said:
Appreciate the replies,anybody with a Cutwater CB30 replace the anchor light bulb up on the radar tower and have the
Type bulb used info? I would like to have a replacement before I go through the - lower the tower exercise,it’s not just like replacing the bulb.
Thanks,
George
Click to expand...
Hello - did you find the right light bulbs for the anchor light? Appreciate your help
 
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