I have a 1993 Catalina 36 Mk 1.5. The only original lighting in the Salon/Galley/Chart Table are 4 reading lights, a task light at the chart table and a couple under cabinet florescent fixtures in the galley area. I have replaced the old reading lights with new LED fixtures. But, I need to add more light. I did an analysis and determined that 120V LED fixtures are much more energy efficient than 12V fixtures even after accounting for the efficiency loss in the inverter. So, my current plan is to mount a few standard, low profile, 120V LED ceiling fixtures in the galley, over the chart table and in the dining area. Total wattage with all the 120V fixtures on full (which wouldn't happen often) is about 70 Watts which means well less than 1 amp AC at 120V. I will need to put some short screws into the overhead to secure the fixtures. I will be wiring them with dimmers so I can control the overall light level as desired. Has anyone undertaken this task and, if so, what did you learn in the process that I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Bob
Bob Longo
Transcendent, 1993 Catalina 36 Mk. 1.5, hull 1237
Raleigh, NC
Bob, I can't offer any help with your specific light issue but I'd like to know what hull number is your boat?
I use 120 volt (old bed stand) light fixtures with LED bulbs run by my AC inverter.
This provides a warm evening light that makes the boat feel like home. I have 2 lights in the main salon and I use metal plates and rare earth magnets in the lamp base to hold the lights in place.
I use an adhesive base LED puck style battery operated lights over the refrigerator to add needed light in the ice box. I also have these puck lights in the bathroom and the hanging lockers.
Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your feedback. I never thought of the table lamp approach. Pretty clever. I have hull 1237. What is your vintage?
Bob Longo
Transcendent, 1993 Catalina 36 Mk. 1.5, hull 1237
Raleigh, NC
Bob;
We took an entirely different approach for our lighting needs. Our boat is seldom in a marina and most of it's cruising life is spent on the hook away from battery charging facilities. Cruising in Florida is great but for some of our cruising season, the sun sets early leaving us to prepare dinner in the dark. Our lighting set up uses all LED in the existing Catalina fixtures with new fixtures used in the salon. In the salon, an LED strip light about 36"inches long runs the length of the book case on the top shelf on both the port and starboard side. These are 12 volt and operate at 2400K thus providing a nice warm light throughout the cabin. A 10 volt desk lamp from IKEA provides more than adaquate light for these old eyes while at the nav. desk.
Over the sink and stove area where food is prepared was the area of genuine concern. Here sharp implements (knifes and other blades) are being used and to prepare food and, where in my mind, the greatest danger exists . ( Imagine having an deep cut incident while you are on the hook ) Our remedy was to replace the Catalina florescent lamps with LED's but that was still not enough light in the needed areas. At Home Depot we found a temporary solution to hard wiring lighting in those areas above the sink and stove.
General Electric makes battery operated LED 'closet' lights that supply an amazing amount of light. They come in 2, 4, 8, LED units. We use two light strips over the stove and two lights over the sink.True they are powered by AA cells and usually get two seasons from a set of batteries.
These little battery operated closet lights come in handy in other places too like the fridge and the food storage locker.
One thing you might want to watch is that you spoke about using dimmer switches. Not sure what type of communications equipment you have on board but 'dimmers' can produce a severe amount of radio frequency interference so buy good quality units.
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your feedback. I have replaced all the reading lights with LED fixtures except for the aft cabin. I acquired Transcendent last Spring. For the season we used battery powered LED strips to get light where we need it. Lucy (my better half) doesn't care to much for the strip lights because of the way the light hits her glasses. But, your approach is a bit different than what I was doing so we will kick it around. Also, thanks for the reminder on the dimmers. I had forgotten about that risk. Thanks for the pictures, they help a lot.
Bob
Bob Longo
Transcendent, 1993 Catalina 36 Mk. 1.5, hull 1237
Raleigh, NC
I installed 120/12 v IKEA LED strip lighting on the liner at the three edges of the companionway. Tried hooking one strip directly to the host's 12v but burned out the strip! (Amperage issue I'm assuming.) It runs off of an inverter. Provides superb lighting for the galley and chart table area. Used the hard wired 12v discs from IKEA under and above the microwave and one each inside and below the galley cupboards, with another one above the fridge box. Low draw, but bright light!
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
Hi Kevin,
We have actually talked about the approach you used. At this point I want a more distributed lighting approach. I'll let you all know how I end up going about this and the early results.
Bob
Bob Longo
Transcendent, 1993 Catalina 36 Mk. 1.5, hull 1237
Raleigh, NC
I'd also be interested in seeing the end results.
I'm trying to implement something similar and it might prove useful.
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Alexandra
Also see strip lights