What are people using for a cockpit light?

[Don]

I tried the Davis Mega Light but was not impressed. It didn't give much light though it was supposed to use very little power. I am sending it back. They do make a cockpit light but it is 65 dollars. Too expensive.
On Duane's website he talked about a light he built, but no picture that I could find. How about posting a picture and information.
Anybody else got any ideas?
Thanks

[Paul S]

I replaced the running light with a running/foredeck light. It lights the deck very well. Some light does get to the cockpit.

I also just installed a light under the console. I will hook it up to a switch...on my to-do list. It will only light the footwell though..

I generally don't like a lot of light..kills your night vision...

Paul

[Don T]

Hello:
I made a light out of 1/2" pvc some plexi and a standard automotive single filament socket (slides perfectly into a 90* elbow). It goes under one of the table mounting screws and stands 24" above the table. It has a reflector so a small bulb can be used and the light goes down instead of up into the heavens. It plugs into a power tap on the pedestal. The bulb draws around 250ma but The socket design will take bulbs up to 2A draw and down to 100ma. I have all the part numbers at home but not here at work. It got broken last year so when I fix it I will post a pic in the mod section. Seems you can't throw the extra anchor on top of it and expect it to survive.

[Matt M]

It's been along time since I posted on this site, so hopefully I don't mess it up. I have a 12 volt outlet under the steering wheel and use a small light that plugs into that outlet. It lights the floor for safety but dosn't hinder my night vision.

[tidalwave]

I installed three red LED lights...they have an upper half cover so they
only illuminate downward. I put one near the stern so it lights up
the motor-transom area. I installed another down and forward on the
pedestal, this one lights up the main cockpit floor. And one just inside the cabin, this one illuminates the hatch and the cabin steps...and a little
ways onto the cabin floor.
I used red to preserve what little night vision I still have (at my age)

The lites are rated at 100,000 hrs lifetime, and take less than 5% of the
amperage of an incandescent. They are waterproofed...sales statement
said I could use them inside a live baitwell if I wanted.

On the mast I have a white deck lite which shines over the bow area.
I decided that red light doesn't give me the contrast I need if I have to
go forward and work on sheets or the anchor lines.

[Carl Noble]

Tidalwave, where did you purchase your lights? Sounds like a good Mod.

[Tom Spohn]

Tidalwave,
Could some other boat mistake your stern mounted red light for the Starboard nav light? Personally I would limit my use of red or green lights to inside the boat to avoid confusion to other boaters.

[Don]

I should have been more clear, I was referring to a light for use while at anchor or in a slip.

[baldbaby2000]

I installed three red LED lights...they have an upper half cover so they only illuminate downward.

I've been thinking of doing the same thing. Red lighting at night is what we used in the Navy. I think if one was careful, the cockpit could be dimly illuminated without the red being visible from another boat.

[Paul S]

mount a red utility light down from the backstay (or topping lift) maybe? Like BB said..as long as it is not visible to other boaters. A bright white light would kill your night vision big time...possibly bother other boaters in the area as well.

Have not come across a need for it yet. On the right night...just relaxing in the dark in the cockpit is nice

Paul

[Zephyr]

I just upgraded my 26X lighting system to LED lights (interior and exterior). They only use up 60 milliamps. I have mounted two (triple) LED's on either side of the pedastal in the plexi glass part at the height of the seats and mounted a switch above the RPM gauge. I used the white light and it lights up the cockpit very well at night with a natural light feel. I am going to post the mod soon. I got the lights from http://www.autolumination.com/ which are waterproof and are pretty cheap ($5).

[craiglaforce]

I mounted a 2 bulb (fore and aft type) masthead light on the port stern rail and ran the wire down and forward to a switch just inside the companionway.
originally I did this because I wanted a light that was brighter than the stern light and could be turned on quickly to illuminate 360 degrees after almost getting clobbered at anchor by a arge powerboat when my perko deck plug lost contact and the mast mounted anchor light went out.

The side benefit though it that it really puts out a lot of light for general cockpit lighting and is way brighter and less apt to get covered by the bimini in the down position.

It uses more power than a single bulb, but is VERY bright and with 3 big batteries and never really far from a powered slip, no problems.
Might not be such a good choice if you cruise far away from a power plug.
THis looks like the thing I bought.
I think a single bulb version would probably be better (use less power anyway)

by the way, the Davis megalight I have came with 2 light bulbs. One is brighter than the other and uses more power. Maybe you were using the llow power bulb? Mine gives decent light, but nothing close to what the perko light puts out.


http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... 8&id=64724

[Idle Time]

I bought a couple of solar lanterns for the yard and take one with us on the boat. I hang it from the boom if we want a bit of light to eat by if eating out and then take it below and sit it on the table. Cant read by it but is great mood lighting. Put it in the head at bedtime.

[Sloop John B]

Hey, what's the matter with you guys? It gets dark, it gets darker. Accept it.

Can't find your way around the boat at night. Heavens to be.

Turn on that built in light the boat came with, the one over the galley and the one over the dinnete.

Yes, it uses too much power. Just leave it on enough to sight in on what you're grasping for.

Hey, you want to sit up all night and read? Well, save that till you get home again. Least till the sun comes up again.

Edit the following morning: Oh my. Must have been a good one. Anyway, I use the rechargeable Coleman that Moe mentioned. Florescent one or two bulbs. I use it for an anchor light also. Only good for two nights. Have ordered a 4 D cell LCD lantern that's supposed to last 108 days. I'll let you know how that craps out.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

When I cruise, I live on Island Time. When it gets dark, I go to bed. When it gets light, I get up.