Legal nav lights on the Mac?

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

Davis Masthead Light

i mounted this which came with two bulbs. a low draw, low output and a high output. I have the larger bulb installed.

"Mega-Light Masthead consumes just 0.110 amps (approximately 1/10th amp). It features a light sensor that automatically switches on at dusk and off at dawn. The dual-function Fresnel lens projects light for up to two nautical miles (3.7km).
Mega-Light Masthead comes mounted to a stainless bracket for easy installation to a masthead, interior wall or bulkhead. Comes with 12" (30 cm) lead wire. On-off switch and fuse holder for hard-wire installation not included.
Comes with two easy-to-change light bulbs. One bayonet-type bulb draws just 0.110 amps and can be seen for up to two nautical miles (3.7 km). The other bayonet bulb draws 0.320 amps (approximately 3/10th amps) and is more than twice as bright. Includes a standard lighter plug and 15 foot (4.5 m) cord with easy hanger."


isn't this one USCG approved as an anchor light?

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI & '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Catigale]

Thats the one I use Bobby, and Im pretty sure it is NOT USCG approved...anything so approved has to be clearly marked as such per CFR's, and mine (and the ones I have looked at in stores) are NOT so marked.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I have the same Davis Mega light but the flavor with the hanger instead of the metal mount.

It is not USCG approved as an anchor light. My new LED light is USCG approved.

By the specs the Davis may meet the requirements but it has not been tested and approved. It does not carry any USCG approval stamp like those sold as anchor lights do. I believe Davis even states this at their web site.

Still something is better than nothing. I doubt any patrols would come to your boat if you are showing the Davis light. They can't tell that the light didn't have a stamp on the box when they are cruising around looking for people to ticket.

[James V]

I doubt any patrols would come to your boat if you are showing the Davis light.

Only if they smelled something funny.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

Still something is better than nothing. I doubt any patrols would come to your boat if you are showing the Davis light. They can't tell that the light didn't have a stamp on the box when they are cruising around looking for people to ticket.

especially when it's 30' above the water on the top of your mast.

[marsanden]

I would want to know how you have passed the electric thread inside the mast from the top to the base .

[Catigale]

The dont have flotation in the mast, so in my case Caitlin pushed the fish tape, and I pulled....priceless...

[mike uk]

Or you can lower the mast and insert a weight tied to a length of nylon fishing line in the top (twice the length of the mast of course!) and then raise the mast - voila!

Mike

[March]

Bob:
That sounds good. The light comes with a photoelectric sensor, right?

Where can you get it from?

I've been looking for something like this: a 12 V sensor to switch the light on when I'm not on board. I sometimes leave the boat anchored in a little cove on the local lake overnight.
Thanks,
March

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

Bob:
That sounds good. The light comes with a photoelectric sensor, right?

Where can you get it from?

this one is from (click)WEST MARINE(here).
but you might find a better price at other boat stores.

what many do for install is run wire down mast and exit near same location as masthead light cord. install the same Perko plug (male end). then when at anchor, remove masthead plug end and replace with anchor plug end.
then use the masthead "on-off" switch at your interior fuse box.
once done at anchor, replace anchor light Perko plug with the masthead plug.

or, you can utilize a 3-way switch located on the mast with one Perko plug.
or, you can use a 3-way switch located on the inside ceiling and have two Perko plugs and two deck connector ports.

three ways to do it.

[Craig LaForce]

If the Davis light truly has a 2 mile visability, then it should be fine for an anchor light. But I recall their advertisement said it was not CG approved.

Maybe there is a difference between approved and compliant.


You can google "CFR nav light rules" and find the actual law. Not thrilling reading though.

You would think that Davis would publish the lumen output or the visability of the light. Seems like this would cost about 5 cents to check and could improve their sales marketdly if they can advertise as having CG approval.

[ronacarme]

I see at svhotwire.com that Orca Green Marine has a new Led anchor light = OGM LX, which advertises a single 3 watt Luxeon, 62 lumen, .25 Amp at 12 volts, in what appears to be a cylindrical Fresnel lense, for about $120. If I recall correctly a 2 nm rating was mentioned at that web page or at the OGM website.
I run a DIY anchor light using a Megalite Fresnel lense housing a single Luxeon one watt side emitter LED operating at about half amperage (so about a half watt) thru a crude voltage dropper and it is much brighter than the stock small bulb Megalight....so I imagine a properly regulated 3 watt Luxeon side emitter in a cylindrical Fresnel lense could be pretty bright. The OGM is too pricey for me tho.
Good luck....Ron

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

This is the LED light I installed except mine is a version with a stainless steel base. Same top.

CSI Speco Vision Series LED Navigation Light Allround Pedestal Mount Stern Light

It's a 3 watt luxeon LED with a great all around reflector lens. Very bright, very low current draw, only $69.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Thanks for posting links guys. I've been contemplating putting in an anchor light when I rebuild my mast (which is now finally on order and will hopefully arrive with next boat sent to Florida). As with many others here, I have always used the hanging Davis mega light which I usually just slide partway up the topping lift. I presume that to mount one like Duane has on the mast top, you would have to build some sort of custom bracket. Or maybe even better, fabricate a mast cap which seals off the top of the mast at the same time... This would be good for avoiding wasp nests as well as the slight safety factor if you get knocked down.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

I presume that to mount one like Duane has on the mast top, you would have to build some sort of custom bracket.

two things:
- I believe that Duane has his mounted on the rear mast trailering support. it's actually a low mount location. see pic...

- I mounted my Davis Mast Top Light using their bracket. all it takes is a couple of holes & nut/bolts thru the top of the mast. very easy install without having to create a cap. bracket mounts on the inside of the mast. although there are a couple of good mods on this site that show how to make a good mast cap for mounting accessories.