Light Fixture Retrofits

[datswite]

I still have the original light fixtures in the head and galley. About 1.5 years ago, the ballast in the head fixture failed. I shopped around for a new fixture but couldn't find anything that I liked or that didn't require surgery to make fit. So, I bought a replacement ballast. That lasted 3 months before burning out. I replaced it again. It lasted about a year. I think the fluorescent bulb sockets were failing and caused the lights to flicker on and off - prematurely killing the ballast. Anyway...

I decided to overhaul the fixtures and convert them to LEDs. I removed all of the guts from the fixture (sockets and ballast) and installed two temperatures of LED strip lighting. I wired them with the original switch. The two temperatures combined make a very bright, but very warm, light in the head. The color temperature is very similar to a nice incandescent bulb... very un-LED. It's what I used to do with the fluorescent bulbs. Anyway, the light fixture has been saved and casts way better light than it ever had in the past. And it's low power draw for cruising.

I've decided to give the galley fixture the same treatment! I'm also going to modify my wiring a bit and install a switch that allows me to turn off some of the LEDs for a low-light setting.

Don't throw out your old fixtures!!

 

[1lostbouy]

Ken
We're on the same wavelength. I pulled everything out of mine and put in led light strip that sticks on all around the edges put the cover on and done! Better than ever. I still have an enough light tape to do the rest of my lights when they burn out. Home Depot 40 bucks

 

[stnick]

I scraped all the old now every thing is led, cabin, mast and anchor ! just a better mouse trap , uses almost no power !!!