What do people like for the masthead strobe requirement with Xenon type bulb? Aquasignal? Pyramid Technology? I currently have an OGM masthead tricolor with stobe but that does not meet the Xenon bulb requirement, looking to add another strobe.
Eric
20 - 49 posts
Strobe Lights
What do people like for the masthead strobe requirement with Xenon type bulb? Aquasignal? Pyramid Technology? I currently have an OGM masthead tricolor with stobe but that does not meet the Xenon bulb requirement, looking to add another strobe.
Eric
Alerion 38 "Surprise!"
I'll probably go with a FireFly on a pigstick again. For a permanently-mounted strobe, people seem to like the Velleman - see the same topic on page 2 of this (SHTP 08) forum.
20 - 49 posts
Eric,
I used a Velleman HAA40W...recomended a few years back by another SSSer. I mounted it directly on top of my OGM using some stainless straps and a Seaboard spacer. This saved the cost of a separate mounting bracket and at the same time insured that the strobe would be visible from above. The strobe cost a little over $10, and seems to work OK. It is not as bright as some strobes, but the cost is right. You can buy this either as white or amber strobe...I chose white.
One problem that I see with the SSS requirement for a strobe (at least when I was building mine for the 2007 LongPac) is that the required strobe output is not specified in the requirement...so there appears to be a little uncertainty in the requirement regarding how powerful or bright the strobe needs to be. Nontheless, the Velleman has apparently been approved in the past (not sure when or for whom). And I know from personal experience that it is bright enough to get the CGs attention.
Richard
Libations Too
10 - 19 posts
strobe lights
In the discussion on Strobe lights I am not sure why the requirement. Is the strobe light to use in an emergency to signal help or is it an indicator to show position/avoidance technique during night and sleep times.
I once was out on a race in So Cal near Santa Barbara Island and we spotted a fishing boat adrift with strobe light flashing all other lights out..navigation, cabin. The skipper thought they needed help and we contacted race committee and went to investigate. We found out No help required.
thanks for the clarification.
Pete
N/M 45 Tiger Beetle
I have an Aquasignal anchor/tricolor/strobe at the masthead - it has worked perfectly for 12 years now.Originally Posted by Eric Thomas
If I were buying new today, I would install an LED tricolor/anchor light combined with an Aquasignal proper strobe (e.g., a xenon flashlamp, not a flashing LED light).
- rob
20 - 49 posts
Hey Rob, how about a couple of led bulbs for the anchor light and tricolor portions of your (and my ) aqua signal light? Any downside? Al
100 - 199 posts
There is a Sausalito CA based company that specializes in LED conversions of navigation lights call them at 1-415-286-4520.
Their web page is
http://www.solidstatemarine.com
50 - 99 posts
Al, I just installed the Dr. LED tricolor and anchor light LED's in my AquaSignal 40. VERY cool! The tricolor LED "bulb" actually has red/green/white LED's oriented the right directions and draws 0.16 amps. The anchor light "bulb" is all white LED's and draws 0.09 amps. My thinking is if you buy a $600 Lopolight and it goes out, you are stuck, but if the Dr. LED "bulbs" go out, I just go up the mast and reinstall the original incandescent bulbs. I also replaced all the light fixtures in the cabin with LED (Red Mars Dome from Dr. LED) and have small battery powered LED Puck Lights scattered throughout the cabin also.
I have a battery powered Xenon strobe I am going to mount on a piece of wood and haul up the spinnaker halyard at night, just like Synthia did in 06.
John H
Dream Chaser
100 - 199 posts
I also just swapped out old light bulbs (anchor and tri-colour) from masthead aqua-signal fixture and replaced with Dr. LED's . Time for spring greasing of all outside-mounted light bulb bases so figured I had may as well put in new bulbs at the same time.
What can I say??/ turn on the switch and 3 colours show in the correct sectors, so guess it is alright......certainly waaaay less power draw. Still have xenon-type strobe in fixture up there.
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quote from above<<<<<<<I once was out on a race in So Cal near Santa Barbara Island and we spotted a fishing boat adrift with strobe light flashing all other lights out..navigation, cabin. The skipper thought they needed help and we contacted race committee and went to investigate. We found out No help required.>>>>>...
As most here know by now, 'strobes as nav lights' are a pet peeve of mine. Take a moment guys, to consider that this is what others think when they see your flashing stobes at night. Do you really want other mariners to think you are helpless??
Jim/Haulback
N/M 45 Tiger Beetle
Hi Al -
The only downside to using Dr. LED lights in the Aquasignal fixtures is the navigation lights no longer meet USCG requirements, as the bulb/fixture combination is no longer USCG certified; I assume the same would be true in Europe, and anywhere else. If you do not care about certification then it's a no-brainer to pop in the Dr. LED bulbs; if someone hit you at night and it was determined that your navigation lights did not meet standards, then you would be at fault.
The same is true for the Solid State Marine retrofits mentioned by John Foster.
There are a few LED light/fixture combinations that *are* USCG certified, such as the OGM, LOPO, and Aquasignal - but not as a retrofit for existing fixtures.
- rob
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