Replace bulbs in Perko all around (anchor) light - PERKO BULB FIG 71

Korkie said:
On the hook, we also leave other lights on at night to increase our visibility. Underwater stern lights (white LEDs), the light in the head and 2 small bicycle LEDs (white) that I clamp to my bow railing just forward of my windshield. Not concerned if these extras are USCG approved or not. But I can certainly be seen.
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Smart, I like this, thanks.
 
So I am learning that the CSR has also been affected by the “I do what I want, the way I want, and I do not care” bug like most of society. Maybe we should make a list of the other CG regulations that are optional that we can ignore…
 
just my .02
I initially went on the replace all bulbs with LEDs when I first got my boat. As I read further about fixtures being approved by USCG, not bulbs, along with the difference in lenses for the different light patterns the differing bulbs throw off, I decided the prudent thing to do was to get new LED NAV lights.
To each their own, but my risk assessment led me to the same conclusion @MonacoMike is espousing.
 
Shaps said:
just my .02
I initially went on the replace all bulbs with LEDs when I first got my boat. As I read further about fixtures being approved by USCG, not bulbs, along with the difference in lenses for the different light patterns the differing bulbs throw off, I decided the prudent thing to do was to get new LED NAV lights.
To each their own, but my risk assessment led me to the same conclusion @MonacoMike is espousing.
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This is how I am feeling at this point as well.

The new anchor lenses are more clear than the old ones so hopefully that will improve visibility. I'd clean/polish the old ones, not sure how to though with all of the ridges on them.
 
MonacoMike said:
So I am learning that the CSR has also been affected by the “I do what I want, the way I want, and I do not care” bug like most of society. Maybe we should make a list of the other CG regulations that are optional that we can ignore…
Click to expand...


Wouldn't put it completely like that. In my case, I don't mind exceeding (USCG, in this case) requirements...

For example, replacing an incandescent with a much brighter LED -- especially one that's also brighter than a likely LED replacement fixture -- seems to exceed the spirit of the law. And I'm ready to defend that, if USCG comes inspecting. Not actually intending to poke that bear, of course... but if it turns out the inspector doesn't actually test whether I'm meeting the standards -- instead only judges compliance or lack thereof by reading the label on the fixture -- then I'll decide whether to argue my case in court or just pay the fine.

For this particular case, I'd rather have the brightest lights I can get... and the replacement LEDs we've been using in the older Series 41 fixtures are brighter than the replacement USCG-approved Series 44 LED fixture. I'll probably switch the rest of the 41s to 44s when I have time... but for me that'll be slightly more about boat cosmetics than about lighting.

Other folks can assess their own risk. Do they want brightest lights, or approved fixtures? Not my call, of course...

-Chris
 
ranger58sb said:
Wouldn't put it completely like that. In my case, I don't mind exceeding (USCG, in this case) requirements...

For example, replacing an incandescent with a much brighter LED -- especially one that's also brighter than a likely LED replacement fixture -- seems to exceed the spirit of the law. And I'm ready to defend that, if USCG comes inspecting. Not actually intending to poke that bear, of course... but if it turns out the inspector doesn't actually test whether I'm meeting the standards -- instead only judges compliance or lack thereof by reading the label on the fixture -- then I'll decide whether to argue my case in court or just pay the fine.

For this particular case, I'd rather have the brightest lights I can get... and the replacement LEDs we've been using in the older Series 41 fixtures are brighter than the replacement USCG-approved Series 44 LED fixture. I'll probably switch the rest of the 41s to 44s when I have time... but for me that'll be slightly more about boat cosmetics than about lighting.

Other folks can assess their own risk. Do they want brightest lights, or approved fixtures? Not my call, of course...

-Chris
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I think what is missing in this post is that brightness alone does not make a fixture approved, it is chromaticity, luminous intensity, and cut-off requirements. Very few boaters are capable of determining any of this, which is why the fixtures must be approved, I know I am not. The reason for the regs is most folks are not capable of assessing the risk. If one cannot perform the testing for the three above points they are risking other boaters, just not themselves.

Have you ever been out at night and and to deal with boats with bad lights where you had to figure out just what the vessel was and what direction it was moving because it was not clear from junk lights?
 
Korkie said:
We replaced all of our stock bulbs with LEDs. Was one of the first things we did. Mainly for the lower amp draw. Didn't really consider any USCG approval as stated above. I just know that if I leave my anchor or nav lights on at night my father in law can see them on the other side of the Bay we live on, he is just under 2 miles away. Works for me and I figure the CG would be fine with it. On the hook, we also leave other lights on at night to increase our visibility. Underwater stern lights (white LEDs), the light in the head and 2 small bicycle LEDs (white) that I clamp to my bow railing just forward of my windshield. Not concerned if these extras are USCG approved or not. But I can certainly be seen.
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"Boaters should be concerned about installing “decorative” lighting on their boats in various places, including underwater, on the rubrail, or just above the waterline. Care must be taken that these lights:  cannot be mistaken for navigation lights,  do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of approved and properly placed navigation lights, and  do not interfere with the operator’s ability to maintain a proper lookout. Such circumstances may represent a violation of Rule 20. Rule 20 specifies that only those lights prescribed, or those that don’t interfere with those prescribed, may be used. Haphazard installation of additional lighting must be avoided. A violation can occur if the installation of additional lights can be construed as a light required by the Rules for another vessel. For instance, blue underwater LED lights can appear to be flashing if there is any wave action, giving the appearance of a flashing blue light only authorized to be used by law enforcement vessels per 33 CFR 88.05."

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/1015.pdf
 
MonacoMike said:
I think what is missing in this post is that brightness alone does not make a fixture approved, it is chromaticity, luminous intensity, and cut-off requirements. Very few boaters are capable of determining any of this, which is why the fixtures must be approved, I know I am not. The reason for the regs is most folks are not capable of assessing the risk. If one cannot perform the testing for the three above points they are risking other boaters, just not themselves.

Have you ever been out at night and and to deal with boats with bad lights where you had to figure out just what the vessel was and what direction it was moving because it was not clear from junk lights?
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It's a fair point. When I've said "bright" I've mostly meant that as short-hand for all of the various technical requirements necessary for fixture approval. I know it's more than just brightness, but pecking out a 30-paragraph sentence every time would get a bit old. :)

Yes. Even worse, we've been almost run over at night by boats showing NO lights. But mostly, the "crappy" lights usually just aren't bright enough. I don't remember ever being bothered by very bright lights appropriately purposed, though... for example the mega-lumen anchor lights on some ships in the local anchorage awaiting clearance for Bal'mer harbor.

-Chris
 
It appears some are confusing Navigation (running) lights with Anchor lighting. The "extra" lights we use are for at anchor, NOT while running. When running we use as few lights as we can in order to maintain the best night vision possible, as in accordance with Rule 20. We only utilize the railing lights and stern lights when at anchor, which is within the USCG anchor lighting guidelines (Rule 30) Which states you must have at least one all around light or lighting visible from all sides of the vessel. There are no restrictions for "extra lighting" while at anchor. So the presence of the bow rail lights, the light on in the head and the stern / underwater white lights is not a Haphazard installation of additional lighting that must be avoided as stated in Rule 20, Navigation lights. That statement is intended for Navigation (running) lights, not anchor lights. If it did, I guess we would all be sitting in the dark at night with just the anchor light on. Here on Breton Bay off the Potomac we get boats that regularly overnight anchor as it is just a nice anchorage between the Chesapeake and Washington DC. These boats have numerous lights on at night for the simple reason, one little anchor light at the top of a 50+ foot mast just doesn't do the job.
Boat Smarter - Not Harder.
 
I stopped changing/maintaining bulbs 10-years ago, once 2nm - 3nm LED fixtures became available. It's the first upgrade I did on my last three boats, since I often run and on the hook at night.

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One added note...... when I recently converted the mast head light on my current boat, which was an LED unit made by Perko for the Seaview radar/Flir mount I installed, the two helm light switches would not work the navigation light and the anchor light separately. I had to add a conversion module that Perko makes to solve this problem.
Therefore, if anyone who has separate helm switches for navigation and anchor and were to swap out their masthead light with the Perko or Five Oceans LED unit above, they may have to purchase the Perko conversion module to make it work.


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Product Notes
Fig 1680-2.jpg
Wiring Note: When choosing LED upgrades to replace existing incandescent combination masthead/all-round lights, optional Cat. No. 1680DP012V Converter Module is available to avoid re-wiring the navigation light switch.

Because direct wire-to-wire substitution of an older style incandescent light with this new style L.E.D. light will not work, there are two installation alternatives:
1) Rewire the existing switch to match the diagram supplied in the L.E.D. light instructions or,
2) Use the optional converter module (Cat. No 1680DP012V) and follow the wiring in the instructions provided with the new L.E.D. light so that no rewiring of the switch is necessary.
 
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