Cabin lighting

[jddevel]

O.K. so I`ve read some of the topics regarding which lights to install in my sailaway

some of which are nearly 10 years old so what is the current view. Is it still

fluorescent better than Halogen better than LEDs or have LEDs improved sufficiently to be used because of power usage. For example I`ve currently allowed in total for 13 of

2.5w LEDs in the area covering galley, dinette and saloon, a length in total of slightly under 8 mtrs. Advice please.

[WotEver]

LEDs all the way. They're cheaper to run and last longer than anything else

[ditchcrawler]

The biggest problem I find is shadows, You sit in a good level of light but if the source is in the wrong place what you are trying to see is in the shadows, especially true on things like work tops so plan where you put them.

[valrene9600]

Just upgraded our LED's from 9 to 15's and the extra brightness is fantastic.

Led has to be the lighting choice for boaters not on hook up.

[Dave Payne]

The biggest problem I find is shadows, You sit in a good level of light but if the source is in the wrong place what you are trying to see is in the shadows, especially true on things like work tops so plan where you put them.

This is true, in the kitchen I fitted led lights above the work surface, when they were in the center of the boat I couldn't see what I was doing very well.

 

In the living area I have central led lights on the ceiling and then led lights on the wall shining down, makes it much better for controlling light direction.

[Alan de Enfield]

In our Saloon I have 3 banks of 4 LEDs + a LED 'spotlight' in each corner.

The two issues I have had (now resolved) were :

 

1) Shadows / blank spots - 12 + 4 gives an overlap of coverage.

2) Not bright enough to read by - the 4 'spot lights' are 35w equivalents and are 'cold white'. The 'warm white' is a 'yellow' light (bit like a candle) is ideal for 'mood / soft' lighting but not much good for 'doing anything'.

 

In the Kitchen we have 2x 'central' LEDs (cold white) and 4x 'under high level cupboards' LEDs (Cold White)

 

In the Master Bedroom we have 2x rows of 3 LEDs (warm white) and a bedside 'spotlight' (for reading) 35w equivalent 'cold white' each side of the bed.

 

The second bedroom has a single 'warm white' LED, and single spotlight (cold white)

 

The dining room has a single (warm white) and 2 spotlights (cold white)

 

(In each room, each bank of lights is separately switched ad each 'spot' is separately switched).

[PaulG]

O.K. so I`ve read some of the topics regarding which lights to install in my sailaway

some of which are nearly 10 years old so what is the current view. Is it still

fluorescent better than Halogen better than LEDs or have LEDs improved sufficiently to be used because of power usage. For example I`ve currently allowed in total for 13 of

2.5w LEDs in the area covering galley, dinette and saloon, a length in total of slightly under 8 mtrs. Advice please.

I've swapped out all my fluorescents for LED.

I would have though that the number of light you have specified are more than adequate.

I have eight downlighters covering a similar area.

[Nickhlx]

I used LED tape, warm white and 5630 SMD LEDs - no point source of light, can be adjusted in length and number of parallel strips for brightness, and I think the newer / smaller LEDs ( 2830 ?) are brighter - love them

[Phoenix_V]

Plenty of choice for spotlights but has anyone found any decent reasonably priced led light units that would replace fluorescents

[Alan de Enfield]

Plenty of choice for spotlights but has anyone found any decent reasonably priced led light units that would replace fluorescents

 

I have used this company for all of my LEDs

they have (literally) 1000s of permutations have a search for your Fluorescent equivalents.

 

It normally takes 3-4 weeks for delivery, but at the prices I can live with that.

 

For the 'doubters' I have not had a single failure, burn-out or any problems with interference from any of the 30+ I have installed in the boat.

 

http://www.miniinthebox.com/mr16-5w-30x5050-smd-400-420lm-6000-6500k-natural-white-light-led-spot-bulb-12v_p499156.html

 

Edit to add the link for their "12v Tube-Lights"

 

http://www.miniinthebox.com/narrow/dc-12_v75873t0/led-tube-lights_c5469#nohash

 

Example :

 

Scroll right down the page for the specification.

 

http://www.miniinthebox.com/jiawen-t5-30cm-4w-30x3014smd-300lm-6000-6500k-white-led-tube-light-dc-12v_p3968826.html?category_id=5469&prm=2.4.1.1

 

At 'under a fiver' (including delivery) isn't it worth a try ?

Edited November 29, 2016 by Alan de Enfield

[jddevel]

Great help thank you LEDs it is then. As we would ideally like them if possible recessed but only have a space behind the 6mm ply of 25mm so a total of around 30mm - some questions. Firstly obviously is that possible or do I need an "air space" as immediately behind is a vapour barrier and celotex. Is there a heat problem? Can any one advise a "good source" for supply- unless this breaks any "rules". Are recessed to restrictive and will we have to look to surface mounted?

[Johny London]

You've got plenty room for recessed leds - mine are very thin indeed - I won't take one out now but prolly less than 10mm. I got them from Lighting Innovations, on ebay. 1.8w each, warm white. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-12-VOLT-ROUND-SPOT-LIGHT-CARAVAN-MOTORHOME-BOAT-BRUSHED-CHROME-WARM-WHITE/310878444964?_trksid=p3693.c100102.m2452&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140212121249%26meid%3D34f192f7218749229d689d8646df7a6a%26pid%3D100102%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D191393328919Igot 30 for £173.98. (It's a 62ft narrow boat). I also bought a few wall lights for mood http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191393328919?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITbut you have to then buy 2w led bulbs to replace the halogens. (10 for £6).

I don't have a problem with shadows particularly - my lights are pretty much how and where I want them (it was a sailaway) it's just a question of planning for your needs.

Warm white all the way.

Edited December 1, 2016 by Johny London

[Geo]

May I suggest that you look at Bedazzled's site, http://www.bedazzled.uk.com/12v%20&%2024v%20LED%20TUBES.htmthey do some LED strip lights just like the old fluorescents and I found them very good for the galley and the bathroom where a lot of light is needed.

 

They are boaters and their stuff is designed for boats and the problems with boat electrical system killing LEDs, not cheap but very good.

Edited November 29, 2016 by Geo

[jddevel]

Any one wish to add further comment on the warm white as apposed to the cool white. Had intended cool white but reference above not sure now. Thanks Johny London.

[ditchcrawler]

These are similar to the ones I used, recessed or surface just leave the ring off for recess. http://www.eterna-lighting.co.uk/productinfo.asp?product=D041

Through the Halogen lamp away and use a LED like this http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/g4-dc-6-led-cool-white-led-bulb-8v-30v-1-3w-13w.html

[Geo]

Any one wish to add further comment on the warm white as apposed to the cool white. Had intended cool white but reference above not sure now. Thanks Johny London.

 

Cool white in the galley, particularly over work surfaces

Warm white for the rest

[ditchcrawler]

 

Cool white in the galley, particularly over work surfaces

Warm white for the rest

I mix mine about.

[Geo]

I mix mine about.

 

I have found with warm white in the galley the shadows are not right when using sharp knives

[WotEver]

Any one wish to add further comment on the warm white as apposed to the cool white. Had intended cool white but reference above not sure now. Thanks Johny London.

It's very much a personal preference. My missus won't have cool white anywhere in the house - she says they look too cold. Mind you, she does like a lot of candles all over the place too. I prefer cool white for the bathroom and kitchen myself but I also like an easy life...

 

Some warm whites have a very low colour temperature and can be very yellow which is something to watch out for. Other warm whites give a light much closer to a filament bulb. Cool white gives a much cooler light and is bluer than any 'old fashioned' light bulb.

[Geo]

Cool white tend to be about 6500K

Warm white ranging from 2500K to 3500K

 

As the temp drops the yellow creeps in then a ting of orange. I have seen warm white ranging from 2500K to 3500K. Most of the warm whites I have are 3500K 3000K and this is a good compromise between the cool white and yellowish/orange at 2500K. It is easy on the eye, not bad to read by, and does not have a the same effect on the mind that cool white does. ie Cool white keeps telling your mind it is not time to go to sleep and keeps you awake. It can take a couple of hours for the effect to wear off.

 

ETA I have just check the specs on the spec sheet that mine came with the value for the cool whites is correct my memory was incorrect on the warm whites they are 3000K this I have edited the post. Apologies

Edited November 29, 2016 by Geo

[WotEver]

Cool white tend to be about 6500K

Warm white ranging from 2500K to 3500K

 

As the temp drops the yellow creeps in then a ting of orange. I have seen warm white ranging from 2500K to 3500K. Most of the warm whites I have are 3500K and this is a good compromise between the cool white and yellowish/orange at 2500K. It is easy on the eye, not bad to read by, and does not have a the same effect on the mind that cool white does. ie Cool white keeps telling your mind it is not time to go to sleep and keeps you awake. It can take a couple of hours for the effect to wear off.

I'd say your temps are a bit high. Most warm white are around 3000K and the 'yellowy looking' ones 2700K or lower. By comparison, a candle flame is around 1800K.

 

An old fashioned standard incandescent bulb has a temp of around 2400K with 'soft white' being somewhere between 100K to 200K higher.

 

6500K is way too high for a cool white lamp - it would be a strong blue, the colour of a summer sky. 4000K to 5000K would be more like it.

 

Edit to tidy it up

Edited November 29, 2016 by WotEver

[Geo]

I'd say your temps are a bit high. Most warm white are around 3000K and the 'yellowy looking' ones 2700K or lower. By comparison, a candle flame is around 1800K.

 

An old fashioned standard incandescent bulb has a temp of around 2400K with 'soft white' being somewhere between 100K to 200K higher.

 

6500K is way too high for a cool white lamp - it would be a strong blue, the colour of a summer sky. 4000K to 5000K would be more like it.

 

Edit to tidy it up

 

Please supply evidence that manufacturers stated temperature are wrong

[WotEver]

Please supply evidence that manufacturers stated temperature are wrong

How many do you want? Manufacturers aren't wrong, it's the information in your post that was wrong. Here are 4 to be getting on with - I found those in about 30 seconds.

 

https://www.downlights.co.uk/faq-which-colour-temperature-.html

 

https://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/article/colour-temperature/

 

http://www.integral-led.com/support/what-do-warm-white-and-cool-white-mean

 

http://www.lumenport.com/colortemperature.html

 

I'm sure if you Google LED Colour Temperature you can easily find dozens more.

[jddevel]

I`m amazed as to how what I thought was a simple question actually is far from it - but then that's

Whoops was to add "life in general"

[WotEver]

I`m amazed as to how what I thought was a simple question actually is far from it - but then that's

Whoops was to add "life in general"

It's not really. Geo quoted some colour temperatures that were a little high but the principle remains the same. Very Warm White, Warm White, Cool White, Daylight White is the kind of range you're likely to come across from warmest to coolest.

 

Click some of the links in my post above if you want to see it in a bit more depth.