What Did You Use For Cabin Ceiling Lights?

[halfdome, Danny]

I've been looking all over for something better for the ceiling lights than what I used in my first build. They work perfect for reading and general lighting but can really beat up my head while in the construction phase. LED would be okay but most I've seen arn't a reading light and the color is wrong.
What did you use in the ceiling & where did you get them? Danny

[ssrjim]

Check out the LEDs at sailer sams. I have not installed them yet but I think they are just what the doctor ordered.

[Wimperdink]

Reading lamp. No extra wiring... goes where you go.

[Mary K]

I used these from Sailor Sam. http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/star_8407.asp

I got 4 at 10 watts and that was 2 to many. And they were to hot with the Xenon bulbs. Just this week, I replaced the Bulbs with these LED bulbs I found cheap on Ebay http://tinyurl.com/2wnsm4

They work great now. Cooler and they pull less amps.

Mk

[paddlehead]

Danny,

We went a little nuts on lighting, so what we have is way over kill for the size of the cabin. For overhead lighting we used WAC Linear track lighting, with some of their cabinet or cove fixtures. The track itself is only 3/4" wide by 3/8" deep. The light fixtures hang down another 1 1/2" to 2". We also ended up using the same track and fixtures on the inside of the galley hatch for overhead lighting.

For reading lights we got some swiveling lamps from Camping World (which I can not find in their online catalog). These swivel down for reading or up for general lighting. In addition we mounted some small sconces near each door. These are standard household lights with 12V candelabra bulbs.

Here are a couple of pictures that show the lights. The first shows two of the reading lights in the up position, one wall sconce and one of the overhead tracks. The second shows one of the wall sconces turned on and a reading light pointing down for reading. In fact there is so much light when all of these are turned on, that we normally only have one light on in the cabin. That's plenty for reading.

Don

[ssrjim]

Check out the LEDs at sailer sams. I have not installed them yet but I think they are just what the doctor ordered.

http://www.sailorsams.com/led-lights.htm

[halfdome, Danny]

I used these from Sailor Sam. http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/star_8407.asp

I got 4 at 10 watts and that was 2 to many. And they were to hot with the Xenon bulbs. Just this week, I replaced the Bulbs with these LED bulbs I found cheap on Ebay http://tinyurl.com/2wnsm4

They work great now. Cooler and they pull less amps.

Mk

MaryK, thanks for posting the way you did it, with replacing the bulb. It seems so much cheaper than some of the very nice Sailor Sam lights that others have sent me links to. Is there enough concentrated light to read in bed by? I'll look at any ideas anyone has as long as it is installed in the ceiling & not strapped to the head . The wall lights are nice but my cabinet doors would bang into them. Danny

[halfdome, Danny]

Danny,

We went a little nuts on lighting, so what we have is way over kill for the size of the cabin. For overhead lighting we used WAC Linear track lighting, with some of their cabinet or cove fixtures. The track itself is only 3/4" wide by 3/8" deep. The light fixtures hang down another 1 1/2" to 2". We also ended up using the same track and fixtures on the inside of the galley hatch for overhead lighting.

For reading lights we got some swiveling lamps from Camping World (which I can not find in their online catalog). These swivel down for reading or up for general lighting. In addition we mounted some small sconces near each door. These are standard household lights with 12V candelabra bulbs.

Here are a couple of pictures that show the lights. The first shows two of the reading lights in the up position, one wall sconce and one of the overhead tracks. The second shows one of the wall sconces turned on and a reading light pointing down for reading. In fact there is so much light when all of these are turned on, that we normally only have one light on in the cabin. That's plenty for reading.

Don

What a stunning teardrop you have Paddlehead. I've got to stop by someday to see it. Every time I head south I forget. Danny

[Dooner]

I used a deck light turned upside down and used a 12v 11w light. Just enough light for me. Not for reading.

It is between the radio and AC control.

[halfdome, Danny]

After looking & looking at all the Sailor Sam lights, I ordered 6 of the Pinto in the gold finish. I'll use 4 in the cabin and 2 in the galley. I hope there will be enough light output. The power consumption will be a lot less than regular automotive light bulbs.
Thanks for the help Danny

[Juneaudave]

Nice choice Danny..very clean look and not too deep a cutout!!! Sure looking forward to seeing how they look in the build!!!

[Mary K]

Those are nice.

4 should be enough in the cabin. But the 2 for the Galley might not be.

I have 2 dome lights in my galley


And I replaced the incandescent bulbs with these LED bulbs. I got the 12 LED's and not the 19.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm

And its almost not enough light.

But what you can do is arrange your two fixtures when you install them, where you can add another fixture if you need too, and the layout is still pleasing to the eye and symmetrical. Does that make any sense?

What I mean is, think ahead if you might need to add another light.

Just a thought.

Mk

[asianflava]

This is what I used, not super bright but at night you don't need it that bright. They show a garnish in the pic, I didn't have that the screws were underneath. I also like them because the switch is built in, all you have to do is reach up to turn them off/on no extra wiring involved.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/196790653.htm

[halfdome, Danny]

This is what I used, not super bright but at night you don't need it that bright. They show a garnish in the pic, I didn't have that the screws were underneath. I also like them because the switch is built in, all you have to do is reach up to turn them off/on no extra wiring involved.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/196790653.htm

I looked at those at the Boaters World store and the salesman said they were for accent lighting and wouldn't work as a reading light, otherwise they were my first choice. Danny

[halfdome, Danny]

Those are nice.

4 should be enough in the cabin. But the 2 for the Galley might not be.

I have 2 dome lights in my galley


And I replaced the incandescent bulbs with these LED bulbs. I got the 12 LED's and not the 19.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm

And its almost not enough light.

But what you can do is arrange your two fixtures when you install them, where you can add another fixture if you need too, and the layout is still pleasing to the eye and symmetrical. Does that make any sense?

What I mean is, think ahead if you might need to add another light.

Just a thought.

Mk

I hear you MaryK. I'll test them for brightness before installation.
I could always place a two bulb white plastic RV light like in my first TD in the center if necessary or just do it. What harm can extra lighting be anyway Danny