Decent lighting for exterior.

[truckcab79]

Looking for a lead on decent exterior lighting.  Not tunnel lights. I’m quite happy to have a modern functional looking one for that, but just something to add lights to the bow and stern. In my head I can see something like a miniature caged brass bulkhead light but in reality can’t find such a thing. 

 

Not really looking to see your examples of how you repurposed the lights off a spitfires landing gear sort of thing just nice looking brass or stainless 12v exterior fittings that are available new. 
 

many thanks. 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

Why do you need them? If arriving at a moored boat in a very dark area, you'll have a torch anyway and would need to use it to find the light switch. If you want to use the bow, or stern after dark, then just bring a suitable self contained lantern outside until you're done.  Otherwise, it's extra complication and extra holes in your boat shell.

If you absolutely must, then something like a brass stern light, with a high power LED module inside would give the look you are trying to get in a small package. Just don't use it as a stern light, as it will no longer be compliant to ColRegs.

[robtheplod]

We just use something like this - come on automatically, can just stick on and no wiring needed... simples!

 

Rheme Led Solar Powered Motion Sensor Wall Light Waterproof Security Lamp for Outdoor Garden Pathway (1x 20 LED) : Amazon.co.uk: Lighting

[magnetman]

Often see these on boats. They are a good solution because they don't need wiring up. 

 

Small brass bulkhead lights turn up on fleabay from time to time. 

 

 

Sheridan marine have some nice gear if you want something a bit traditional

 

https://www.sheridanmarine.com/product/light-cockpit

 

Not quite as nice as the proper old gunmetal ones but still reasonable and looks like a glass lens on it. 

[Tracy D'arth]

11 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

We just use something like this - come on automatically, can just stick on and no wiring needed... simples!

 

Rheme Led Solar Powered Motion Sensor Wall Light Waterproof Security Lamp for Outdoor Garden Pathway (1x 20 LED) : Amazon.co.uk: Lighting

I use a lot of these lighting pathways. I buy them much cheaper than that from China though.   They are fairly reliable, the odd one has failed due to the solar panel dying. They contain a 18650 lithium cell.

[magnetman]

Some nice ones here (its in Wales apparently) 

 

https://brootzo.uk/products/orbis-brass-bulkhead-round-outdoor-waterproof-light-nautical-marine-wall-lamp

 

They are 240 but one can get adapters for the bayonet fitting. 

[truckcab79]

25 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Why do you need them? If arriving at a moored boat in a very dark area, you'll have a torch anyway and would need to use it to find the light switch. If you want to use the bow, or stern after dark, then just bring a suitable self contained lantern outside until you're done.  Otherwise, it's extra complication and extra holes in your boat shell.

If you absolutely must, then something like a brass stern light, with a high power LED module inside would give the look you are trying to get in a small package. Just don't use it as a stern light, as it will no longer be compliant to ColRegs.

I may well not but I’d rather put them in and not need them while I’m re-wiring the boat anyway than want them later and not have them. We have cruiser stern so I suppose the main use if there turns out to be one is to light that up while we sit out of an evening.   
 

 

4 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Some nice ones here (its in Wales apparently) 

 

https://brootzo.uk/products/orbis-brass-bulkhead-round-outdoor-waterproof-light-nautical-marine-wall-lamp

 

They are 240 but one can get adapters for the bayonet fitting. 

Thanks. They’re lovely.  

12 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Often see these on boats. They are a good solution because they don't need wiring up. 

 

Small brass bulkhead lights turn up on fleabay from time to time. 

 

 

Sheridan marine have some nice gear if you want something a bit traditional

 

https://www.sheridanmarine.com/product/light-cockpit

 

Not quite as nice as the proper old gunmetal ones but still reasonable and looks like a glass lens on it. 

 

Many thanks.  By not needing wiring up do you mean they come with fly-leads or similar as I can’t see that they are battery powered?  

[Jen-in-Wellies]

One thing I can recommend is an interior cabin light switch immediately inside either the bow, or stern doors, whichever you intend to be the usual entry/exit end. I didn't do this when planning the wiring of my own boat and had to retrofit. Otherwise it was a stumble through the cabin in the dark, tripping over the cat, to reach the first light switch!

[magnetman]

Or a reed switch by the door. I haven't done it but a light which illuminates the entrance to the cabin when you open the door (with an override switch) could be a nice feature. 

 

 

[agg221]

Midland Chandlers has bulkhead units available (at a price): https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/products/ag-oval-bulkhead-brass-light-complete-with-cage-vl-112

 

Alec

[truckcab79]

25 minutes ago, agg221 said:

Midland Chandlers has bulkhead units available (at a price): https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/products/ag-oval-bulkhead-brass-light-complete-with-cage-vl-112

 

Alec

Nice. If I could find a half-sized version of that it would be ideal. 

[magnetman]

I had some of these on a previous boat. They are bus footwell lights .

 

nice quality aluminium housing. They have a GRP box behind so need to be recess mounted. 

I found them on eBay under bus lights. 

 

 

 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

40 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Or a reed switch by the door. I haven't done it but a light which illuminates the entrance to the cabin when you open the door (with an override switch) could be a nice feature. 

 

 

I've used 12V infrared sensors for this on two friends boats. Work really well and would have done it on my boat, if either I'd known about them, or they existed at such a cheap price back then. Automagic lights on when you open the door. Overide switch too. Three way, centre off, one way manual on, other way IR on.

Example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374996215198

32 minutes ago, agg221 said:

Midland Chandlers has bulkhead units available (at a price): https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/products/ag-oval-bulkhead-brass-light-complete-with-cage-vl-112

 

Alec

Bulb not even included in the price!

[magnetman]

Rubbolite also do nice lights. Used for trucks and trailers. 

 

If you get a dual colour lamp like this one you can mount it so that the white shines downwards and the red upwards so it doesn't mess with your night vision. 

 

1 minute ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

I've used 12V infrared sensors for this on two friends boats. Work really well and would have done it on my boat, if either I'd known about them, or they existed at such a cheap price back then. Automagic lights on when you open the door. Overide switch too. Three way, centre off, one way manual on, other way IR on.

Example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374996215198

Bulb not even included in the price!

 

i've got PIR activated night time lights. Just little 30cm amber LED strips enough light if one needs to get up at night. Yes these little cheap PIR units are rather nice. 

 

 

12v PIR £6. 

 

excellent items these they even have a rudimentary adjustable timer. 

 

I love 'em. 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143998821444

[truckcab79]

2 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Why do you need them? If arriving at a moored boat in a very dark area, you'll have a torch anyway and would need to use it to find the light switch. If you want to use the bow, or stern after dark, then just bring a suitable self contained lantern outside until you're done.  Otherwise, it's extra complication and extra holes in your boat shell.

If you absolutely must, then something like a brass stern light, with a high power LED module inside would give the look you are trying to get in a small package. Just don't use it as a stern light, as it will no longer be compliant to ColRegs.

Ref the holes they’re already there unfortunately but the fitted lights are those cheap trailer lights / Lucas lenses fitted to landrovers and just about everything else in the 60’s / 70’s

[truckcab79]

On 13/11/2023 at 08:46, magnetman said:

Some nice ones here (its in Wales apparently) 

 

https://brootzo.uk/products/orbis-brass-bulkhead-round-outdoor-waterproof-light-nautical-marine-wall-lamp

 

They are 240 but one can get adapters for the bayonet fitting. 

These seem favourite at the moment.  Many thanks for finding them.   
 

What are the adapters you refer to. Google not helping. I was broadly assuming that I’d just have to take the guts out if it and swap in the innards from a cheap LED fitting. But if there’s a simpler way. 👍

[David Mack]

29 minutes ago, truckcab79 said:

These seem favourite at the moment.  Many thanks for finding them.   
 

What are the adapters you refer to. Google not helping. I was broadly assuming that I’d just have to take the guts out if it and swap in the innards from a cheap LED fitting. But if there’s a simpler way. 👍

The lamp linked to has an E27 lampholder. So all you need is a 12V LED lamp with an E27 base, such as one of these:

https://bedazzledledlighting.co.uk/product-category/led-bulbs/es-e27/

Google will find other suppliers.

[truckcab79]

Perfect. Many thanks. 👍

[magnetman]

E27 to B15 adaptor 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361720806454

 

 

B15 is normal car type bulb size. There is B15S single pole and B15D dual pole. 

 

 

 

If you get LED its worth getting one with a frosted ball otherwise it might be too bright. 

 

 

These people have the nice little boat bulkhead lights in brass. 

 

Miniature Solid Brass Bulkhead Light - Porthole Style (lightingstyles.co.uk)

 

 

120mm diameter they are the little ones. I didn't think these were available anymore.