Replacing Halogen spreader lights with LED

[ageless]

I have struggled for years trying to grasp electricity and I just cant seem to get a grasp no matter what I read or am told. The various systems on my 55c are my nemesis, yet I am trying again to better understand them. Here is the present dilemma, the Halogen spreader lights are inoperable and seriously deteriorated. I would like to replace them with smaller profile LED units. I have read that with Halogen units you change the bulb to match the electrical equivalent, but haven't found how to do so with LED units.
I am guessing the first step would be to determine what system the current units are on and proceed from there?

 

[krush]

Are the original lights 120VAC or 12VDC?

My boat had 120VAC on the front for spreader lights, and 12VDC for cockpit lights. All will be changed to 12VDC LED for safety, ease of use, and no need to run 120VAC up in the tower.

 

[Reefgeorge]

A starting point is to look for led lights that have a similar lumen output and color temperature. There is also the angle of projection. It is easier to meet the lumen level if the light beam is narrower. It takes a surprising high level led system to replace a 300w or 500w halogen bulb as most led lights are much bluer (higher color temp), lower output (less lumens) and narrower focus (beam angle). Next you have to figure out the voltage and match your system wiring or modify.

I am designing an led replacement because I cannot find a proper replacement for my high output halogen setup that fits in the space I have. I finally have enough output, color temp and angle but it took multiple transformers, very high output led wafers and substantial heat sinks, as well as multiple dry runs in place up in the tower. Now I have to finish the housings. It has been a major undertaking to get an equivalent replacement but that flood of lights in front of and behind my fly bridge tower is part of the charm.

George

 

[Boatsb]

10 years ago I changed out the 300 watt gloves for compact fluorescents. I changed out the lamps 7 years ago when I found one that was whiter and brighter

There are led versions available today but I have not had the chance to test the ones I though were best. I have found a few manufacturers of good led products for marine and tv productions. My favorite so far is a 240 watt single led that will replace the lamp in a lighthouse with a color rendering index of better than 96.

I was looking at high output floods for the boat knowing the area in the forward cockpit woukd have it's own smaller lights so I could light up the aft section and 20 feet of water like a stadium from the hardtop.

 

[rsmith]

Any lighting is only as good as its reflector.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Spreader lights on 55C are AC. Look for "Spreader Lights" breaker on ER AC panel.

 

[MVCaprice]

Not sure on the AC vs DC topic but If I was in the market for spreader lights I would be looking at Vision x lights. They build lights for Westport up here in Washington and seem to be pretty good quality. I have also have good experiences with Imtra although not sure what they have for spreader lights.

https://www.visionxusa.com/industry/maritime/

 

[Cricket]

We switched ours over to 24 volt DC, never liked having the AC voltage in the pipework etc. Lumitec has a lot of available options, and others, LED lights are getting better and cheaper all the time. Lots of people are making a fiberglass or PVC flat insert to fit their current opening and then mounting the new light in the flat stock.

 

[omecojh]

I installed 50 Watt, 120 V on my 42 sport fish.
Try www.Lunasealighting.com also 800/272-0170

Their outdoor floodlights are available in both AC and DC.