CONVERTING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO LED

[Doug]

Have any of you converted your interior lights to LED? I understand it is possible to use the same housings and that there are 12 volt dimmers available for these lights.
Doug

[Pitou]

Here you go Doug ... have fun!

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5440&p=32504&hilit=led#p32504

Marine Beam was a great help in my conversion to LED lighting. I've replaced all lights including deck spreaders with the only exception being my green/red starboard & port running lights.

[hetek]

I read that one Albin owner bought the undercabinet LED puck lights from Ikea. They come with a "wall wart" transformer that you simply cut off because the pucks themselves are 12VDC. He cut squares out of King Starboard (or teak) and routed a nice decorative edge on it, mounted the pucks to the square and wired it into the existing DC wiring.

Apparently these pucks are pretty cheap and they come in a bulk package. The square trim pieces are used to cover the Albin's old square fixture's shadow on the headliner.

I'm thinking of doing this myself. Just have to double check the price to make sure it's worth the trip to Ikea.

[Doug]

I was at iKea last week and 4 of these lights plus the transformer were just over $40.00. This is what I am thinking of doing. There seems to be 2 different models. One with a lot of LED's (which generates some heat), and a softer version that has a small rounded dome. I think they were both about the same price. The 2nd model does not seem to put out as much light.

Doug

[hetek]

Looks like we both might be trying this out!

The bright and dim pucks might be good for task light locations vs general lighting locations. Your choice, but at least it is a choice.

Maybe put a dim one here and there for "night light" duty?

I might be visiting Ikea next weekend, myself.

[denchen]

I found some festoon bulb on Ebay that were cheap and fitted my internal lights without modification. I recommend caution as festoons come in different lengths. They seem much brighter and use a lot less electric.

[Russell]

The easiest and cheapest way to convert is to buy the bulbs from a place like LEDlight.com. They have festoon bulbs for the anchor and courtesy lamps and the side firing T-10 wedge bulbs for the interior lights. I think the link that was provided by Pitou above contains my previous post giving some info on the bulbs for the pilot house overhead fixture. All of these are automotive bulbs and you might find them in auto parts stores as well.

[KennethBurger]

Here you go Doug ... have fun!

Marine Beam was a great help in my conversion to led light lighting. I've replaced all lights including deck spreaders with the only exception being my green/red starboard & port running lights.

Thanks for the link dude.. it really worked and I've successfully converted. Thanks from my heart !
Bless you !!!

[Serenity]

I have a 98 Albin and I replaced all of the incandescent bulbs in the cabin with LED's that I bought at Pep Boys. No brainer. Just match the socket with existing bulb and replace it with an LED.

[DougSea]

I have a 98 Albin and I replaced all of the incandescent bulbs in the cabin with LED's that I bought at Pep Boys. No brainer. Just match the socket with existing bulb and replace it with an LED.

That's a great suggestion Max. We don't have a Pep-Boys, but I'll have to check out AutoZone. No need for the fancy stuff.

I did get some from China but wasn't satisfied with brightness and color. But as noted above, the price was so low I don't mind.

[Tree]

Just to add to this. The Chinese ones on eBay have got better. I've just changed mine for less than £10 ($15).

[Tree]

Not sure why iphones feel the need to upload pictures upside down!

Anyway, heres the link to ebay if it of any use to anyone.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-20X-T10-9 ... 23341f6070

Lee