12V regulator for LEDs

[st00]

Hi! My first post here after buying a 2001 Sun Odyssey 37 in the Spring.

I want to upgrade the cabin lighting. I like the look of LED strip lights because they're easy to install, dimmable and I can tuck them away out of sight in the saloon.

I spoke to the supplier who said they probably couldnt be used without shorepower even with the engine running because though they're 12V they need a regulated supply.

Anyone know if the boat in fact has a 12V regulator for the domestic supply? The lights are specified at 2.5 amp 12v dc. Would they work directly from the 12V supply with the engine keeping the battery charged?

Thanks
Stuart

[Deleted]

Last year I replaced the bulbs in the ceiling lights(in SO36i) with "G4 LED 12V 6 SMD Warm White". They are a good fit.
No problems with the G4s running off normal (unregulated) battery power; they run nice & cool and don't appear to be voltage critical at all.

A good source (here in UK) is www.homewatt.co.uk

[Tafika II]

You can replace the G4's type lights with LED as they have the regulators built into the printed circuit board. While you can hook up LED directly to a 12VDC system and they will work, the regulator or driver will permit dimming and the necessary safeguards if there is a short. We replaced our entire boat SO42DS with G4 replacement LED except for the salon where we installed Imtra Red/White LEDs. The only ones we have not replaced are the halogen lights in the heads. Great power saving. Suggest you use warm white colors (2600~3000 Kelvin range)...higher than that and they are super brite and glaring.

[st00]

Thanks guys. I think your comments explain the limitation with the strip lights I wanted: The driver for them is built into their 240V transformer. Seems that without it the fluctuations in voltage would fry them.

Nice idea fitting Red/White LEDs! I had a similar idea with my strip lights: You can get RGB ones that run a cycle fading through the colours of the rainbow. (Used for mood lighting in bars and favourite in Grand Designs projects. Sorry, I do like new toys! : But will also switch from white to red on demand, so very practical after all!

I also need replacement lamps for a couple of the Jeanneau mini-strip lights (reading lights), and the chart table spotlight in the saloon. Any alternative options for those?

[bill42i]

I have been able to buy a replacement bayonet LED that is a good fit in the Jeanneau supplied reading lights. I am still looking for a suitable replacement for the Strip lights in the galley and over the mirrors in the heads. They are fitted with G4 halogens and give a very good light but the high current draw kills the switches. Has anyone found a fix for this problem?

[Tafika II]

Here are two links I used for LED replacement lamps:

www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/landscape-bulbs/1hp-led-jc-bulb-g4-base-270-degree/483/
www.1000bulbs.com/search/?q=g4+led+bulb
Check the OD size before you order so you know they fit in the real estate of the inside of the fixture.