I want to replace my fluorescent tubes with the following: 12" F8T5 LED Tube for Fluorescent Fixtures (FL-T5-66)
These are from Marinebeam. Has anyone done this change and what brightness did you choose?
The original came from West Marine and are working fine, need more light.
Thanks, Paul
I replaced the OEM light fixture in the head with the following:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-dome-light-fixtures-non-waterproof/105-oval-dome-light-led-fixture-with-switch/1490/3465/
It provides plenty of light and fits where the previous fluorescent fixture went, a pic is below.
Just in case, another light which I found very useful was the following:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/swivel-led/18-12-heavy-duty-swivel-led-utility-light-bar-w-12-leds-and-rocker-switch/1230/
These come in a variety of lengths and rotate 90 deg, I installed one in place of the fluorescent bulb above the Ice box and one for the Nav desk. They come in handy because they only require two screws to mount, are lightweight and can be adjusted to shine directly down or back towards the bulkhead. I mounted them on the teak piece which is underneath the trim mounted at 45 deg.
Noticed your mirror is on the wall to the right of the sink. Mine is on the bulkhead by the toilet.
Anyone know which is the original OEM location?
Quote from: Jon W on November 28, 2016, 05:04:01 PM
Noticed your mirror is on the wall to the right of the sink. Mine is on the bulkhead by the toilet.
Anyone know which is the original OEM location?
Doesn't really matter, does it? I'm not even sure there was an OEM mirror. :shock: :shock: :shock:
Mine is on the forward bulkhead. :D
Mine is foward too, and when I got the boat there were cheapo bayonet round incandescent puck lights not fluorescent. On a 30 year old boat with many previous POs, the term "standard" is kinda moot. I changed all fixtures to LED, using a variety manufactures to fit the location: from Dr. LED, to Hella chart light to Luna Sea, to Alpenglow, which are my and Practical Sailor's favorite.
Mirror is one the forward bulkhead in the head, the mirror in the picture I posted is a small medicine cabinet mounted to the aft bulkhead.
I agree with Stu's comment... On a 30 yr old boat it's hard to know what was standard.
As an example I have Maxwell winches, I was told there were original. I also had three water tanks, one in the V berth, one starboard side under the settee and a great big water bladder under the aft berth.
No, doesn't really matter. Just curious.
Paul
Note that Nate is developing a red/white LED replacement for fluorescent tubes -- that will operate just like the red/white switchable LED fixtures and bulbs. The last I heard it isn't in production.... maybe soon.
-ken
Quote from: Paulus on November 28, 2016, 01:17:11 PM
I want to replace my fluorescent tubes with the following: 12" F8T5 LED Tube for Fluorescent Fixtures (FL-T5-66)
These are from Marinebeam. Has anyone done this change and what brightness did you choose?
The original came from West Marine and are working fine, need more light.
Thanks, Paul
I replaced the 2 fluorescent tubes with the 12" F8T5 LED tubes. Had to remove or disconnect the ballast and rewire following their instruction. Installed the light on the boat yesterday. Very pleased with the extra light.
This company was easy to deal with and great customer service.
https://store.marinebeam.com/marine-led-fixtures/
Paul, did it come w/ printed instructions you can post?
I need to do the same, though I think I'd be able to figure it out. Is the new tube indexed (a pos and a neg end?)
ken
It came with instructions for a 1 tube light but their web site has a link for the 2 tube light. I can post it if you want. Let me know.
Paul
That would be great. here or wiki Thanks Paul. It never hit me that we'll have to remove the ballast, etc.
D'oh. 12v is 12v right? LOL
Here are the instructions
It has been mentioned here before... Some of the older incandescent light fixtures may not be suitable or work efficiently as they should/could using LED replacement bulb technolgy and it might be better to just replace with new LED fixture. May have issues with both light dispersment pattern/shape using existing lens as well as heat issues?
This is the video for replacing a 2 tube fixture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dudp2a--TI&feature=youtu.be
Paul
Noah,
You are so very right. Need to check if your incandescent tube can be replaced by a LED tube. Marinebeam was very helpful with this technical info.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Paul
Noah, as I also mentioned below (but will repeat anyway LOL) Nate is coming up with a strip "fluorescent" light with both red/white on the "tube". Currently the only option is a double tube (one red -- WAY too bright -- and white.)
The new one will be red SMDs mounted on the same tube as the white (I think it will be a ratio of like 3 or 4 white to one red) and may be more useful to some owners than refitting an old fixture. The switching will be like his other switching combo red/white LED bulbs. This should be a giant improvement over replacing old fixtures where you want both red and white.
The only beef I have with his double "tube" fixtures, is they are RV, not 'marine" -- e.g., (1) there's a WIRE NUT on the switch wires inside, (2) the plastic cases look way too fragile, and (3) they look like they will yellow badly with any UV exposure (I'd hope not, but....) I hope the new combo red/white tube fixture will be much better quality. :think :think
ken
I am not familar with the OEM dual tube flourscents as there weren't any on my boat when I purchased it. I was just speaking of being cautious of LED replacement bulbs in old fixtures, not specifics. I opted to switch to a variety of manufacturer's dedicated LED fixtures, for didn'r area in the boat--with all offering dual red and white settings and most dimming and highb and low setting, as well. Take a look at Alpenglow: https://www.alpenglowlights.com/store/product/product_id-12/name-led-9-watt-dual-power-with-night-vision.html. One, but the best in my opinion. I use two of these in main salon overhead.
Noah,
I did look at these lights. My boat came with small square type(6''x6') with one regular bulb in each, located under and above the shelf. I replaced them later with flourescent fixtures with 2 tubes. They about 5''x17". My 12' tubes had numbers on them so that I could match these with LED tubes. I just do not want to but additional holes in my boat.
Thanks,
Paul
Not sure what you meant about not wanting to put holes in your boat, but...? I want/need a lot of (efficient) light so I switched all my fixtures to LED and used these Alpenglows mounted on the main salin coachroof to light up the entire cabin. They feature high and low and white and red settings. Here is the link from my earlier post on them.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8195.msg57366/topicseen.html#msg57366
Noah, your pics look great. By holes I mean were the lights mount into the ceiling. Small screw holes.
Paul
Thx! Many ways to skin a cat 8)