Operating on a 12Volt system means that you need to minimise power wherever possible. It is something that we should all do anyway, even if not on a boat.
Providing adequate lighting within the boat to perform normal daily functions is a necessity. Using a less than ideal lighting solution is ok for short term, however longer term requires proper solution.
Different areas within the boat have different lighting requirements, and hence the solution in one area may differ from another. As an example the type of lighting used in the galley would be bright and general "flood" style of lighting, while in the sleeping cabin areas, directional reading lights might be needed.
The lights used in the past have been based on incandescent lamps, and typically around 10-20W in power consumption, and just flooded the light everywhere. Today we have more power efficient lamps based around LED technology. The smaller physical size of the LED lamps has also resulted in smaller lights. The reduced size means that lamps can now be located in places, that previously, weren’t feasible.
The main advantage to 12Volt dwellers is the reduced power consumed by the LED lamps to deliver similar of better light coverage. Moor or Less came fitted with house hold halogen lamps to light the interior areas. These are not very suitable for boats for two reasons. Firstly they consume too much power, and they are inefficient at using the power they consume. Halogen lamps operate at very high temperatures, that temperature is created by using power, it is a bi-product of creating the light, and there is a power consumption penalty for its generation. The second reason that they are not suitable for boats is the narrow beam. They are designed to be mounted in a ceiling several metres above the area to be lit. On a boat, that ceiling height isn't available. If the lights are mounted in the cabin liner, then they have a small area of light below, if mounted on the walls, like they were in Moor or Less, they were blinding if you glanced at or even near the lamp.
You may have guessed that I am not a fan of the halogen lamp on boats.
Efficiency is what it is all about, so selecting the correct LED based lamp for the boat comes down to the area it is to be used, and any features needed (eg: being able to turn or direct the beam).
Main Saloon
In the main saloon of Moor or Less, I didn't wish to change too much of the wood paneling, so decided to simply change the halogen lamps with softer flooding 3W LED lamps. The layout of the lamps in the main saloon had a Halogen lamp mounted at 45 degrees in three of the corners. With the Halogen lamps, the area would be lit with just one lamp on, however it created many shadow areas. The LED solution means that having 2 or 3 lamps on, the room has a bright feeling, and all the shadowed areas aren't present. Having all 3 LED lamps on, still draws less than half the power of a single halogen lamp.
V-Berth
The forward area of the saloon is the V-berth area, where there previously was no lighting installed. For most part, the lighting from the saloon would illuminate the V-berth, however, when the privacy curtain is closed, additional lighting is needed. The area is not large, and as it will be primarily for sleeping, reading lights would be needed for those evenings while relaxing in bed with a good book. Small directional 1W LED lamps are used. The lamps are mounted on the forward facing side of the bulkheads on either side of the boat. These can then be directed to allow reading a book while lying down, or with both lamps on, light the entire V-berth area.
Galley
Above the galley area, facing aft, there was previously a halogen lamp which was replaced with a 3W soft glow LED lamp. The lamp is mounted at an angle, and is in such a position to enable seeing what is being cooked, and light the passageway to the aft cabin.
Passageway
While the passageway itself was well lit from the galley when it was on, it didn't provide adequate lighting to see into the two large ice boxes which were in the passageway. To help locate items in the ice boxes easily, I have installed two small 1W LED lamps directly above each of the icebox openings. These not only lit the internals of the icebox, but also were an alternate lighting source for the passageway.
Aft Cabin
The aft cabin needed two different types of lighting, one for lighting the cabin itself, while other lighting was required for reading. Above the double berth, on the aft facing bulkhead, small 1W LED lamps are installed. They are similar to those used in the V-berth. These lamps can be directed to the best position for reading, and provide ample light. On the aft bulkhead, a 3W LED flooding lamp is mounted.
Head
In the head, there was again no lighting installed. As the head area is mostly white fiberglass, which reflects light well, a small 3W LED lamp was mounted on the wall near the wash basin.
Engine Compartment
Engine compartment is often overlooked when lighting is installed, however having in the past tried to work on a problem with the engine, while at the same time juggle a torch, I determined that engine areas must be lit with good lighting systems. To do this, I installed two 3W LED flooding style lamps, one on either side. They light up the compartment brilliantly, and are even an advantage when working on the engine during the day.
Night Vision
Having sailed many nighttime passages, the appreciation of red lighting in the cabin cannot be explained. It is amazing how effective just one the red light down below is when doing a night passage, it seems like daytime after coming down off watch. The challenge is to locate the light so that you don’t accidently look into too often, otherwise it will impair your night vision. I enjoy night sailing, and intend to do many night passages when cruising, so effective red lighting was needed.
To minimise the chance of looking straight at the light, using the reflective qualities of the interior funiture seemed like a good trick. Bouncing the light off the white fiberglass inside the saloon, provides enough light to se easily at night without destroying your night vision. A single 1W red LED lamp was installed on the side of the settee, just under the saloon table. The light reflected off the other side of the settee, and lit the saloon with that eerie red glow.
