Pole Light

S

springer3

New Member
Feb 9, 2009
173
Atlanta GA
Boat Info
1996 215 EC
Engines
4.3 liter Mercuriser LX
In the interest of sharing a bone-headed move to spare others the same experience: my pole light seemed too bright with a GE 1004 bulb, and I got worried about starting in the morning if I ran it all night. I looked for an LED bulb to no avail, but an automotive parking lamp bulb fit perfectly. Things got confusing: my guest bent the post, and the light it did not come on when needed. Found blown fuse, and assumed that happened when the post got bent. I replaced fuse (a real chore in a 215 EC). Immediately blew again, down to my last 5 amp fuse.

Checked wiring with a VOM - all fine. Found short in the pole light. Finally traced the problem to the new bulb: it has a central terminal that shorts out the two terminals in the socket. Replaced bulb and fuse, everything OK. No problem starting in the morning.

Still looking for a lower-power lamp if anyone knows the solution.
 
You're kidding, right?

Specs on the 1004 is 12VDC @ 0.94 amps. Your average everyday group 27 battery is rated at something like 100 amp-hours. IE should be able to draw an ampere of power for about 100 hours. How long are the nights where you are located?
 
fc3 said:
You're kidding, right?

Specs on the 1004 is 12VDC @ 0.94 amps. Your average everyday group 27 battery is rated at something like 100 amp-hours. IE should be able to draw an ampere of power for about 100 hours. How long are the nights where you are located?
Click to expand...
I was serious. First of all, thank you for the specs - I did not find them on the package and did not know. Mine seems brighter than 10 watts, but perhaps in the deep dark it seems brighter.

I think your battery capacity number is high. About 70 amp-hour is what I recall, but with your numbers, if I run the light for 10 hours, I drain 10% of the charge from a healthy battery. If I run other electrics, or if the battery is not healthy, I am at greater risk of not being able to start.

Thank you to the other posters for the correct name: anchor light it is. I wish I had the stripper pole, but I am not sure I can afford the stripper.

No ideas on an LED or dimmer bulb?
 
springer3 said:
I was serious. First of all, thank you for the specs - I did not find them on the package and did not know. Mine seems brighter than 10 watts, but perhaps in the deep dark it seems brighter.

I think your battery capacity number is high. About 70 amp-hour is what I recall, but with your numbers, if I run the light for 10 hours, I drain 10% of the charge from a healthy battery. If I run other electrics, or if the battery is not healthy, I am at greater risk of not being able to start.

Thank you to the other posters for the correct name: anchor light it is. I wish I had the stripper pole, but I am not sure I can afford the stripper.

No ideas on an LED or dimmer bulb?
Click to expand...


I'm not sure an LED bulb is the answer, as they are very directional and wouldn't give the broad spray of light 360.
I have seen a "sealed" LED light on a boat pole though. They are very blue tint and not very bright. Might be cheaper to get another battery just for the lights, and use the current for starting...having said that FC3 is right....the bulb won't kill it.
 
good topic...
My issue is that combination light at the top of the windshield on our Weekender casts a lot of light on the deck and in my field of vision. Night vision is greatly reduced. I had thought of getting a longer pole so the light would be above the bimini. We travel a lot at night and every bit of visibility is critical. In the same vein, the anchor light on the same pole illuminates the cockpit to a degree that we're unhappy with, esp. when trying to watch the stars.
We sleep in the cockpit because we love being outside, but it's not so much fun with all that light!
Is there such a thing as a deflector that I could attach below the light so as to keep the light out of the boat?
Thanks
 
BTW:
I see a lot of LED anchor/nav lights and I doubt if many of them are USCG compliant. The ones the police and Coasties use are the exceptions.
 
Keep in mind that there are certain restrictions on the visibility of any running light installed on a vessel. I seems to remember that most have to be rated for two nautical miles. Changing to an unapproved bulb might not be in the boat owner's best interests.

I don't think that the Coasties or your local Police have a "anchor light distance checker", but, take it for what it is worth.

However, stripper poles are required to have approved disco lights securely affixed to the upper portion of the pole no more than 12" from the top of said pole.
 
Perko makes a shield to go under the light that keeps some of the "bright" away from your eyes...I think it's about $15. Check out their online catalog. Or. use an aluminum pie pan and some duct tape.
 
Many thanks for the advice. Given my concern for starting, a second battery does seem the way to go.

Regards
 
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