Re: [Cal_Boats] LED running lights (Chris)

Chris, make REAL sure that any "drop-in" LEDs used to replace bulbs (and they do make them) are in fact designed for use in NAVLights. The USCG standards for NavLights require a certain range (for boats less than 39.4' it will be 1 mile for sidelights, 2 miles for stern and masthead lights) and arc of visability (light needs to be visible for the proper degree arc) and vertical visibility (light needs to be visible at average angle of heel when sailing). Most of the LED replacements for bayonet bulbs that I've seen were intended for use in cabin lights and thus are not going to meet USCG standards for NavLights. Saving electricity is a wise idea on our small outboard-powered (often without battery-charging ability) sailboats, but it is all for naught if the NavLights aren't visible enough and we get hit by some drunk stinkpotter. Rod Johnson (former co-owner: NODROG, 1970 CAL 21) On Wed, 3 Sep 2008 19:05:01 +0000 Michael Robinson <mi… [at] hotmail.com> writes: Chris I replaced my Aqual Signal blubs with LED replacement blubs. They are made to fit the old bayonet fittings. Work great, draw zip amps. http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=851 I don't think WM carries them but most other chandleries do. Not cheap: $25 range, but should last. Mike Robinson Holiday Cal 36 #4 > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > From: cl… [at] charterinternet.com > Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 13:45:05 -0400 > Subject: [Cal_Boats] LED running lights > > Cal sailors, > > I apologize for asking a question that's been kicked around before, but > this is a seasonal concern for me--the days get shorter and my > after-work sailing tends to extend into after-sundown hours. I'm > wondering if there is a drop-in LED replacement for the standard bayonet > base incandescent bulbs in my running lights. > > The goal is to avoid buying a big lead-acid storage battery for the Cal > 20. Even a garden tractor battery is fairly pricey, and it has to be > charged. Incandescents eat up battery capacity quickly. All I need > power for is the running lights. If I had LED bulbs, I could use a > little 12 v. lantern battery, or maybe make up a battery pack using > rechargeable NiCad cells or whatever that newer rechargeable cell > technology is. Those would be easy to cart home from the mooring in a > backpack on my bicycle. > > Feasible? Suggested sources? > > By the way, as I typed the bicycle note, I was reminded again of how the > little Cal 20 has cured me of the gripes over my job's burdens and low > rate of pay. Not only do I have a very cool little boat, but she lies > about a mile from my house, and I ride down to the dinghy's place on my > bike after work. It is truly a wonderful way to live. My friends with > much more money mostly commute long distances on stressful freeways and > have little time for fun things like sailing. I am not prepared to > trade places. > > Chris Campbell > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. See Now Click here to find Medical Transcription Training programs. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nFN9BZZ9DbuAMbaqDNe7nqUpoLdvutupOutBmilYrZJbgeS/

Chris, make REAL sure that any "drop-in" LEDs used to replace bulbs (and they do make them) are in fact designed for use in NAVLights. The USCG standards for NavLights require a certain range (for boats less than 39.4' it will be 1 mile for sidelights, 2 miles for stern and masthead lights) and arc of visability (light needs to be visible for the proper degree arc) and vertical visibility (light needs to be visible at average angle of heel when sailing). Most of the LED replacements for bayonet bulbs that I've seen were intended for use in cabin lights and thus are not going to meet USCG standards for NavLights. Saving electricity is a wise idea on our small outboard-powered (often without battery-charging ability) sailboats, but it is all for naught if the NavLights aren't visible enough and we get hit by some drunk stinkpotter. Rod Johnson (former co-owner: NODROG, 1970 CAL 21) On Wed, 3 Sep 2008 19:05:01 +0000 Michael Robinson <mi… [at] hotmail.com> writes: Chris I replaced my Aqual Signal blubs with LED replacement blubs. They are made to fit the old bayonet fittings. Work great, draw zip amps. http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=851 I don't think WM carries them but most other chandleries do. Not cheap: $25 range, but should last. Mike Robinson Holiday Cal 36 #4 > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > From: cl… [at] charterinternet.com > Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 13:45:05 -0400 > Subject: [Cal_Boats] LED running lights > > Cal sailors, > > I apologize for asking a question that's been kicked around before, but > this is a seasonal concern for me--the days get shorter and my > after-work sailing tends to extend into after-sundown hours. I'm > wondering if there is a drop-in LED replacement for the standard bayonet > base incandescent bulbs in my running lights. > > The goal is to avoid buying a big lead-acid storage battery for the Cal > 20. Even a garden tractor battery is fairly pricey, and it has to be > charged. Incandescents eat up battery capacity quickly. All I need > power for is the running lights. If I had LED bulbs, I could use a > little 12 v. lantern battery, or maybe make up a battery pack using > rechargeable NiCad cells or whatever that newer rechargeable cell > technology is. Those would be easy to cart home from the mooring in a > backpack on my bicycle. > > Feasible? Suggested sources? > > By the way, as I typed the bicycle note, I was reminded again of how the > little Cal 20 has cured me of the gripes over my job's burdens and low > rate of pay. Not only do I have a very cool little boat, but she lies > about a mile from my house, and I ride down to the dinghy's place on my > bike after work. It is truly a wonderful way to live. My friends with > much more money mostly commute long distances on stressful freeways and > have little time for fun things like sailing. I am not prepared to > trade places. > > Chris Campbell > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. See Now Click here to learn more about nursing jobs. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nEvqpVrvSzeREOt6WmVrn83RjGce9qTkoCTGRdQqG1Wtn0i/

Rodney G Johnson wrote: > > Chris, make REAL sure that any "drop-in" LEDs used to replace bulbs > (and they do make them) are in fact designed for use in NAVLights. The > USCG standards for NavLights require a certain range (for boats less > than 39.4' it will be 1 mile for sidelights, 2 miles for stern and > masthead lights) and arc of visability (light needs to be visible for > the proper degree arc) and vertical visibility (light needs to be > visible at average angle of heel when sailing). Most of the LED > replacements for bayonet bulbs that I've seen were intended for use in > cabin lights and thus are not going to meet USCG standards for > NavLights. Saving electricity is a wise idea on our small > outboard-powered (often without battery-charging ability) sailboats, > but it is all for naught if the NavLights aren't visible enough and we > get hit by some drunk stinkpotter. Good points, Rod. The "Dr. LED" lamps that were suggested are designed for Aqua-Signal running light use. I'm trying to find out whether they would fit the cool old bronze light fixtures on my 1961 Dutch-built Seafarer or the 1967 Cal 20. One of my theories is that any light is better than none, which is what the Cal 20 has now with no battery aboard. Also, if we're sailing at night, we need to have a flashlight of usable strength aboard to shine up onto the sail as a further warning for those drunk gas-guzzlers. Chris Campbell > >

On Sep 3, 2008, at 8:47 PM, Rodney G Johnson wrote: > > Chris, make REAL sure that any "drop-in" LEDs used to replace bulbs > (and they do make them) are in fact designed for use in NAVLights. > The USCG standards for NavLights require a certain range (for boats > less than 39.4' it will be 1 mile for sidelights, 2 miles for stern > and masthead lights) and arc of visability (light needs to be > visible for the proper degree arc) and vertical visibility (light > needs to be visible at average angle of heel when sailing). Most of > the LED replacements for bayonet bulbs that I've seen were intended > for use in cabin lights and thus are not going to meet USCG > standards for NavLights. Saving electricity is a wise idea on our > small outboard-powered (often without battery-charging ability) > sailboats, but it is all for naught if the NavLights aren't visible > enough and we get hit by some drunk stinkpotter. In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a year on latitude 38. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 0 # 96 > >

Michael Kennedy wrote: > > In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was > killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running > lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a > deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is > being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a > year on latitude 38. > I guess the guy at the helm of the sailboat ought to have known that there were dangerous powerboaters driving recklessly, and stayed home? It's interesting how behavior changes with context. Can you imagine driving 46 mph on a public road in the dark without adequate lighting? We overdrive our headlight range on the roads all the time but at least we have the illusion of adequate illumination. But people will roar around in a boat in the dark--and it's often much darker on the water, without any ambient lighting--without thinking twice. I assume that the powerboat guy had been sampling some liquid courage. We sailors are safer at night because our boat speeds tend to be commensurate with our vision. Night sailing is fun because you can actually see enough to travel safely. The lights from moon & stars help, as do the aids to navigation and other vessels' running lights. But 40 knots??? We're lucky this is fairly uncommon, at least where I sail. Chris Campbell

Ours is the fuse looking "festoon" type bulbs. But Cal 20s didn't come with lights stock back in the 60s did they? Ours is a 66, and they appear to have been installed by a previous owner - the sealant is a little sloppy looking, unlike all the slick original stuff. Our local chandlery does not have the festoon type LED bulbs; we ought to check these out too. From: Chris Campbell <cl… [at] charterinternet.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2008 7:39:05 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] LED running lights (Chris) Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: Thanks, Chris. Looks like the standard double bayonet. I wonder if they make mini-bayonets. Those are the standard running lights for CAL 25. Note, please, that these appear to be the kind of bayonet with the offset (different height) little locking tabs in the base--the little bumps that lock the bulb in when you twist it. Some automotive bulbs have even-height things and some are different heights (like the combined brake/tail light bulbs, with filaments of different brightness, that must go in one way only). Here's the Dr. LED address, if you want to inquire about other bulbs. info@DoctorLED. com. My hunch is that the only marine bulbs they have are the two models designed for Aqua-Signal fixtures, but it can't hurt to ask. I need to peek at the Cal 20 bulbs to see what kind of base they have. Chris Campbell

The pig that ran those sailors down conveniently did not get tested for alcohol until 24 hours later, in addition to numerous other good-ol-boys type shenanigans. It's a genuine travesty. From: Chris Campbell <cl… [at] charterinternet.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:31:08 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] LED running lights (Chris) Michael Kennedy wrote: In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a year on latitude 38. I guess the guy at the helm of the sailboat ought to have known that there were dangerous powerboaters driving recklessly, and stayed home? It's interesting how behavior changes with context. Can you imagine driving 46 mph on a public road in the dark without adequate lighting? We overdrive our headlight range on the roads all the time but at least we have the illusion of adequate illumination. But people will roar around in a boat in the dark--and it's often much darker on the water, without any ambient lighting--without thinking twice. I assume that the powerboat guy had been sampling some liquid courage. We sailors are safer at night because our boat speeds tend to be commensurate with our vision. Night sailing is fun because you can actually see enough to travel safely. The lights from moon & stars help, as do the aids to navigation and other vessels' running lights. But 40 knots??? We're lucky this is fairly uncommon, at least where I sail. Chris Campbell

Mike, that was the reason for my "drunk stinkpotter" reference! I don't want to start anything here, but I can't see what even a stone-cold sober skipper of a 27' sailboat can do to avoid an overtaking 40+ mph speedboat. Incidentally, here in Massachusetts we had a recent case of a 63' Sea Ray running down a 35' Freedom in broad daylight, the skipper of the sailboat was killed instantly as the Sea Ray crossed the cockpit, the owner of the Sea Ray is now in VERY hot water and facing a 30 month jail sentence plus $3000 fine, loss of boat registration (boat was documented though?), automotive license suspended for 10 years. however, he isn't a Deputy Sheriff, just a used car dealer. The Sailboat owner (who was killed) was a well-loved local sailing coach and race committee member. Rod Johnson On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 09:01:45 -0700 Michael Kennedy <mt… [at] cox.net> writes: On Sep 3, 2008, at 8:47 PM, Rodney G Johnson wrote: > > Chris, make REAL sure that any "drop-in" LEDs used to replace bulbs > (and they do make them) are in fact designed for use in NAVLights. > The USCG standards for NavLights require a certain range (for boats > less than 39.4' it will be 1 mile for sidelights, 2 miles for stern > and masthead lights) and arc of visability (light needs to be > visible for the proper degree arc) and vertical visibility (light > needs to be visible at average angle of heel when sailing). Most of > the LED replacements for bayonet bulbs that I've seen were intended > for use in cabin lights and thus are not going to meet USCG > standards for NavLights. Saving electricity is a wise idea on our > small outboard-powered (often without battery-charging ability) > sailboats, but it is all for naught if the NavLights aren't visible > enough and we get hit by some drunk stinkpotter. In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a year on latitude 38. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 0 # 96 > > Protect your car's interior with great looking floor mats. Click here! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3neknqbSzgdCIDcN7YawsKboAlhjll98h4tmb8Lgk73pJLLw/

Mike, that was the reason for my "drunk stinkpotter" reference! I don't want to start anything here, but I can't see what even a stone-cold sober skipper of a 27' sailboat can do to avoid an overtaking 40+ mph speedboat. Incidentally, here in Massachusetts we had a recent case of a 63' Sea Ray running down a 35' Freedom in broad daylight, the skipper of the sailboat was killed instantly as the Sea Ray crossed the cockpit, the owner of the Sea Ray is now in VERY hot water and facing a 30 month jail sentence plus $3000 fine, loss of boat registration (boat was documented though?), automotive license suspended for 10 years. however, he isn't a Deputy Sheriff, just a used car dealer. The Sailboat owner (who was killed) was a well-loved local sailing coach and race committee member. Rod Johnson On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 09:01:45 -0700 Michael Kennedy <mt… [at] cox.net> writes: On Sep 3, 2008, at 8:47 PM, Rodney G Johnson wrote: > > Chris, make REAL sure that any "drop-in" LEDs used to replace bulbs > (and they do make them) are in fact designed for use in NAVLights. > The USCG standards for NavLights require a certain range (for boats > less than 39.4' it will be 1 mile for sidelights, 2 miles for stern > and masthead lights) and arc of visability (light needs to be > visible for the proper degree arc) and vertical visibility (light > needs to be visible at average angle of heel when sailing). Most of > the LED replacements for bayonet bulbs that I've seen were intended > for use in cabin lights and thus are not going to meet USCG > standards for NavLights. Saving electricity is a wise idea on our > small outboard-powered (often without battery-charging ability) > sailboats, but it is all for naught if the NavLights aren't visible > enough and we get hit by some drunk stinkpotter. In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a year on latitude 38. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 0 # 96 > > Click to begin your health care training online. Request info today. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3oIq80pjQkZEvXvJk53nBgwIT2LtP43uJvKxXUVBGPg64voi/

Mike, is this STILL going on? I thought the state AG was going to get involved?! What a travesty! Marsh Michael Kennedy wrote: > On Sep 3, 2008, at 8:47 PM, Rodney G Johnson wrote: > In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was > killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running > lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a > deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is > being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a > year on latitude 38. > > Mike Kennedy > Conquest Cal 0 # 96 > >

--- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, Marsh Wise <marsh@...> wrote: > > Mike, is this STILL going on? I thought the state AG was going to get > involved?! What a travesty! The guy on the helm of the sailboat is scheduled for trial in January. No charges have been filed against the deputy. It makes northern California sound like Deliverance. I suspect that he will be acquitted in one hour, if the judge does not dismiss the charges first, and then there will be one hell of a wrongful death lawsuit. I hope the county is a defendant for failure to supervise employees. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 0 # 96 > Marsh > > Michael Kennedy wrote: > > On Sep 3, 2008, at 8:47 PM, Rodney G Johnson wrote: > > In northern California, the running lights don't matter. A woman was > > killed on a sailboat on a lake and it is now known that the running > > lights were on. The powerboat was going 40 knots and the driver was a > > deputy sheriff. Needless to say, the guy on the sailboat's helm is > > being prosecuted for manslaughter. The story has been followed for a > > year on latitude 38. > > > > Mike Kennedy > > Conquest Cal 0 # 96 > > > > >