headliner lights...again...

[Capt. Tobb]

I am going to be replacing my headliner and want to get the modern looking recessed lights. In previous posts I have seen Yachtlights.com and ordered one Newport style fixture. I got the halogen bulb and the LED cluster to compare the two. After testing the light with both bulbs I decided that there was not near enough light. I wanted to know the specfic brand and style (part #?)that some you have used and are happy with... thanks.. Tobb

 

[garyd]

I used the white hatteras light from Imtra. It does take a bunch to throw enough light. But it does work. I have 15 lights and when they are all on, at full brightness it is plenty bright. I bought one to start with to check it out. I too was worried it would not throw enough light but they do.

garyd

 

[Capt. Tobb]

Thanks Gary, are your lights LED...they are around 90.00 the halogen is about 20.00.. I am concerned about heat with halo.. Also, the 15 you have, are they in the salon only, or throughout the boat..?

 

[garyd]

They are Halogens and are located in the salon with one above the fuse panel in the companionway.

Don't really notice the heat. The a/c runs almost all the time here in So. Florida LOL.

garyd

 

[34Hatt]

I used halogens from Lowes you buy the pack and it comes with a 110 ac to 12v dc converter discard the converter and wired to 12 v dc. These are very reasonably priced. Then I added the blue seas digital controller to dim them that is like $60 bucks but worth it. While dimming you also knock down amps drawn nice feature while on the hook. I mouted 5 per side and wired then to two switches so I can turn on 4 or 6 or all 10 while dimming any or all of them.

I made blocks to mount them in and if you look there are holes on each side of the block to let heat out. Been over 3 years no problems.

 

[first big boat]

Dan,
Nice install! I have a question though, I'm in the same boat (pun intended) as Capt. Tobb as I would prefer LED lights. don't know if I'm just paranoid but the halagon lights seem so hot to the touch and I have this reoccuring nightmare of leaving them on while we go out to eat and finding my boat on fire when we return. doesn't the headliner around the lights get very warm? My other concern is that they are attached to a block of wood. Seems to me that this could be a receipe for disaster.

I spoke with a lighting company at the FLBS and they showed me their next generation of led lights and dimmers. seems they have gotten the brightness up and warmed up the cool whitequite a bit. My wife threw away all my brochures including the offical directory so I have no way of contacting them, let alone remembering their name. I only remember they were in one of the large tents, north end, around the corner form the guys with cantilupi lighting

I did chain my wife in the engine room for 30 days for this in ase anyone was wondering.

Any "light" you could shed on my concerns or if anyone else was talking to the lighting guys at the show, please let me know. Thanks!

Tom

 

[34Hatt]

Like I said 3 years now NO problem the headliner around it does not get warm I am sure the wood gets warm but that it. They reflect most of the heat out plus they are only 10 watts ea. I have had them on for day and night and have had to pull them out to get into the roof. Headliner is put up with velcro so lights have to come out for access and No signs of any problems. Have a friend with a 36 Hatt did it almost same way and he too has had no problems.

 

[DeeRow]

...Headliner is put up with velcro so lights have to come out for access and No signs of any problems. ....

What material did you use for your headliner panels?

 

[MikeP]

I am also interested in some better headliner lighting. Are the lights being referred to in the posts above 120vac or 32vdc(or something else)?

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Still unhappy with the lighting in our saloon. But have 4 18" lights and do NOT want to redo the headliners so need something to go into the existing opeing.. I have 110V power.

 

[roundIII]

Charlie:

I had a person here make a square off white acrylic panel sized to cover the existing hole from the original lights in my 1988 40' DC. I had them install the shallow "hockey puck " type low voltage lights with Xenon bulbs that burn cooler than halogen. I then installed these over the existing holes and wired them to either the 12 volt system, I did 2 that way for emergency lighting in case the gen or shore power was not working and the rest on the 110 system by using a transformer on each one. I am able to use standard dimmers on the 110 system in conjunction with the transformers. The installation was quick, connecting the wires to existing wiring with butt connectors and then using one screw in each corner of the acrylic panel to mount to the ceiling. Screws were countersunk and edges were beveled. Panel color almost matches the a/c vents exactly so I did not paint anything or change any headliner. No worry about heating the headliner to hot because the lights do not touch the headliner. The cost was $50 per panel for each 12 volt and $75 each for the ones with the transformers. This included all lights and bulbs. Installation took about 15 minutes.

I will send you a picture of the installation and if you want put you in touch with this person.

RoundIII
Ron

 

[roundIII]

Here are some not to great pictures of the installation. You can use up to 20 watt xenon bulbs whichh is plenty of light. I have 10 watt in some of these lights. Also available in white finish instead of the stainless steel as shown.

RoundIII
Ron

 

[Capt. Tobb]

Thanks to all for the help.....Dan, I am planning to use the velcro method also, did you use 1/4" luan?

 

[34Hatt]

Thanks to all for the help.....Dan, I am planning to use the velcro method also, did you use 1/4" luan?

I used coroplast with a 1/8 foam. It worked o.k was hard to keep a good edge. If I was to do it again I would use luan. Get some small staples and glue and staple both side of the velcro.

 

[Capt. Tobb]

Thanks Dan, would recomend using the 1/8" foam with the luan?

 

[34Hatt]

Thanks Dan, would recomend using the 1/8" foam with the luan?

Yes you need just that little bit of pading for the right look. Plus it will help hide any small inperfections.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

dan,

did you glue the foam to the luan? also, when the luan bends to follow the roof arch, how did you get the material to not sag?

jim

 

[34Hatt]

dan,

did you glue the foam to the luan? also, when the luan bends to follow the roof arch, how did you get the material to not sag?

jim

Yes you glue the foam to the panel first, then the naugahyde to the foam rap it around back side glue edge's then staple. For gluing like this you need to spray it I used a old binks no7 spray gun works great. Also don't make it to wet and let it tack of before putting the pieces together.

 

[Capt. Tobb]

Dan, thanks again.....one more question, where did you get your naugahyde?

 

[34Hatt]

I got a roll thru a friend that does big laminating jobs so he got from a costumer of his. I think a got a roll that I could barely lift for a little over $200. That was a steal you can just Google it to find a distributor If you don't use naugahyde brand use another good quality one.